Tag Archives: book-review

Heartbreak Hockey by S Legend (Heartbreak Hockey Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey
AUTHOR: ⟫ S Legend

SERIES: ⟫ Heartbreak Hockey Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Hockey. Drama. Battles on and off the ice.

Jack

I had my person I was supposed to grow old with, but he double broke my heart when he forced me to choose between marrying him or hockey. I chose hockey and if I’m choosing hockey, I’m doing it all the way and leaving love out of the equation. Sounds like a great plan until I show up to hockey practice and realize the guy I fell into bed with is actually my new coach.

Mercy

People depend on me. They need me. Worrying about myself has always come last. That’s what my life has been about since I was ten years old. That is until I decided to take what I wanted just once. Now, my heart’s decided Jack’s mine. I’ve fallen and I’ll never be the same. There’s just one problem. He’s on my hockey team and I can’t avoid him. I’m drawn to him like a moth to a flame. What do you do when you know in your heart someone’s yours, but you can’t have them?

This real Canadian adventure features possessive MCs, an age-gap romance, enemies-to-lovers vibes, and the sweetest gay hockey romance you’ll ever read. It’s a wild ride from start to finish with hilarious characters who do outrageous things. 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: ⟫ They are hilarious characters and they do absolutely outrageous things which made this book a riot ride from start to finish. Some suspension of disbelief is needed but only a little. Mercy’s father definitely needs to be neutered but I adored the Meyer family, how much they cared for each other and were there. When Jack and Mercy begin their relationship, it was difficult to see how they were going to keep going, especially when Jack got the chance of a lifetime. But I really enjoyed the ups and downs, how they loved each other, saw each other for who they were and appreciated each other’s growth. It was chaotic but so much fun and set me up for the next four books in the series.

Velvet Chains by River Winters (Lockswell Boarding House Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Velvet Chains
AUTHOR: ⟫ River Winters

SERIES: ⟫ Lockswell Boarding House Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Velvet Chains is a dark omegaverse romance steeped in trauma, obedience, and the brutal unraveling of conditioned submission.

Charlie was raised inside the Lockswell boarding house—trained to be desirable, compliant, and silent. An omega shaped for service. For sale. For survival.

When Vincent, a calculating and emotionally restrained alpha, agrees to his friend’s rental request, he isn’t sure what to expect. But Charlie’s fractured dignity and quiet defiance begin to stir something deeper—something Vincent isn’t prepared to feel.
What begins as a transaction turns into something far more dangerous.

Master/slave dynamics thread through this story of ownership and undoing, where power is never taken—it’s offered. And healing doesn’t come softly. It comes with rules, restraint, and the kind of care that hurts before it heals.

This is a mm dark omgaverse romance novel. No mpreg is involved. It centers around a alpha/beta/omega world where blood type defines the label for where someone lives and how they get to live.

REVIEW: ⟫ I think I understand what this book was trying to do but unfortunately it didn’t succeed. I was thinking that I must have missed a previous book because of Adrian and Moore, but I don’t think that’s the case. Lockswell was scary enough but there was a lot of telling us about the horrors that Charles has suffered rather than showing us. Even the relationship he built with Vincent felt too surface – Vincent didn’t actually do very much to save Charlie, and I somehow thought the betrayal would have had more far-reaching effects. I loved the premise of the story but didn’t enjoy the execution which is a real shame.

As previously noted by another reviewer, there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors which did not effect the rating I gave the story but think should be mentioned. I don’t think I’ll look out for any more in this series as I didn’t enjoy this story enough.

October 2025 Book Reviews Round Up

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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 October 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.

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

Bad Bood by Lyla Dane (Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #8)

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TITLE: ⟫ Bad Blood
AUTHOR: ⟫ Lyla Dane

SERIES: ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #8
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ All I know is this prison cell.

All I do is the bidding of my masters.

They call me a bloodhound and treat me like the dog I am.

When I finally get the chance to escape, I take it. I travel far away from this wretched place to create a new life where no one owns me.

But just when I think I’m free, I fall into another man’s trap.

Except… this one is different.

He treats me like a human, not a beast.

He saves me from the brink of death and gives me time to heal, a new name, and a new purpose.

He teaches me how to live outside of a cage.

But he doesn’t know what kind of dangerous creature he’s let into his home. A creature with tainted blood, a creature that’s more animal than man…

𝙀𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨.

REVIEW: ⟫ This final instalment in the series was very sweet. Bowen has been mistreated his entire life – either living in a laboratory or being used by sadistic brothers to hunt the infected. Until the day he escapes and finds himself free – for a short while. But this time, he finds himself captured not by chains and muzzles but by a man almost too good to be true – a man who begins to show Bowen what freedom is really like.

It was once again interesting that the real monsters were not the infected but the other humans – people living for profit, uncaring of what they gave up of themselves in their attempts to be in control. Both of our leads were such good, caring people and the way in which they helped each other, were there for each other, was incredibly touching. There were some seriously scary things that happened – Oz was enough to give me nightmares – but ultimately this was actually a really sweet tale of finding your person and making a life with them, which left me feeling really hopeful despite the fact that these two were living in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

I very much enjoyed this series and have definitely found a couple of a new authors that I will be looking into.

King of Lies by H.L. Day (Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: Book #6)

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TITLE: ⟫ King of Lies
AUTHOR: ⟫ H.L. Day

SERIES: ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #6
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Two headstrong men. One broken world. And a connection that could destroy—or redeem—them both.

AUGUST

They say the world was better before the Red Rain―before the skies grew toxic and the virus transformed people into mindless savages.
I disagree.
There’s beauty in the wreckage, if you know where to look.
Desperation is profitable. Hope is a commodity. Dreams? I sell them daily.

Keaton Levine was supposed to be just another mark.
Until he wasn’t.
Because he sees me—really sees me.
And in this shattered place we call home, I’m not sure I’m ready to be someone worth saving.

KEATON

I lost everything when I got bitten.
Discharged, discarded, diseased. All I have left is vengeance.
Then came Tobias… August, whatever the hell his real name is.
He promised answers. He gave me lies.

But in peeling him open, I found something I didn’t expect.
A reason to fight. A reason to feel.
Maybe he is the answer.
And I asked the wrong question.

KING OF LIES is a full-length enemies-to-lovers M/M romance set in the 1nf3ction multi-author post-dystopian zombie apocalypse universe. Each book can be read as a standalone.

Expect: power struggles, a morally grey antihero, a mad scientist with a god complex, a cult holed up in a castle, (fireman’s) pole dancing, and two dominant forces crashing together in a world that wants them dead.
If they can learn to trust, they might discover something more precious than survival—each other.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a very good read – both August and Keaton had their reasons for the way they were behaving, allowing them to make choices that weren’t always the most civilised. I enjoyed the back and forth between them, how they slowly built trust and a relationship from an uneasy alliance. The ‘bad’ guys were suitably scary – Oz freaked me out, not gonna lie – and I thought the resolution was handled very well. Definitely enjoyed this instalment in the series and the adversarial romance that grew between the two MC.

Obliterated by N Boeyer (Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction #3)

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TITLE: ⟫ Obliterated
AUTHOR: ⟫ N Boeyer

SERIES: ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season 1: 1nf3ction Book #3
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ MAX

They fear me. Worship me. Call me an abomination.

I’ve earned my freedom a dozen times in The Pit, but I keep going back. Because violence is my church, and blood is the only thing that makes me feel alive.

Then he arrives. Pretty. Fast. New. A golden-haired boy with ocean eyes and no clue how this island works.
He doesn’t belong here, and he’s going to get himself killed. Just like all the other wide-eyed fools who think survival is about hope instead of brutality.
So why the fuck can’t I stop watching him? Why do I keep stepping in? Why does the monster in me go quiet when he’s near?

He’s everything I never wanted.
And everything I’d burn this whole godsdamned island for.

KIERAN

My mother is dead.

I followed her last instructions to the letter: get on the boat, get to the island, survive. Her final words still echo in my head—Live, Kieran. Live.
But Ibitha doesn’t want me. I have no papers, no useful skills, nothing to offer… except a pretty face. And here? That’s enough to get you owned. Now I pour drinks in a brothel I never chose, counting down the days until my debt’s repaid. Until I’m free.

Then he notices me. Max. A legend carved in blood and bone.
I should fear him, everyone does. He looks at me like I’m already his. Like he’s made up his mind. Like I’m something he plans to keep. And the most dangerous part? A piece of me wants that. Wants him.

But you don’t fall for someone like Max.
You survive him. Or you don’t.

OBLITERATED is a full-length MM romance as part of the 1nf3ction multi-author post-dystopian zombie apocalypse series. While all the stories take place in a shared world, each book can be read as a standalone.

Expect violence, obsession, biting banter, sword fights, broken boys, morally grey messes, and two lovers who’d rather kiss in a pit full of zombies than say “I love you” out loud.

REVIEW: ⟫ Oh my, yes!! This was brutal, gory, bloody and also incredibly romantic at the same time. Kieran has made his way to Ibitha, a place that’s meant to be a safe haven in these troubled times. The first person he meets is Max – who promptly slams him against a wall and threatens his life. Not the most auspicious start, but when he learns more about Max he can’t help but fall for him.

Max is – well, a monster. Part of what I loved about this story was that the author was unapologetic about just how brutal Max was. The man was a killing machine, with more than a few hints of sociopathic tendencies. He was also a big kid who thought a zombie alligator was fun, somehow built a family and inspired fear and loyalty in others. This was a RIDE!! I was seriously not sure how they were going to get their happily ever after and was utterly engrossed for the whole book. I have really been enjoying the books set in the Mayhem verse and especially when it leads to me finding a new author to read.

I would say there is far more gore and bloodiness than there is romance/sex – think Walking Dead but with slightly more romance if that helps – but as long as that doesn’t squick you out, I think this is one that many people will enjoy. There were some really sad moments that made me sniffle and I’m still not sure I forgive the author for one in particular (you’ll know what I’m talking about once you’ve read the book) but I am going to see if there is more written by them that I can read!

Rumor Has It by Crea Reitan (Longwood University Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Rumor Has It
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Longwood University Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ The shiver of something new…

Dak

I don’t know what it is about this man that has captivated me like no one else. It’s made me question everything I think I know about myself. But that’s fine – I’ll obsess from afar until I graduate and move on with my life.

Then I’m handed an exclusive invitation to Rumor, the frat’s ‘gay chicken’ club that performs in front of a camera. The one who doesn’t back out first wins cash. Thinking maybe I can clear up this curiosity once and for all if I try my hand at dick, I go.

Imagine my surprise when the man I’m paired with is none other than the one guy that’s caught my attention. My only problem is the cameras freak me out and I know one of these times when I run, it’ll be the last time I see him.

Sparrow

Rumor is a game for straight men to use whatever excuse they can come up with to get acquainted with a dick not their own. I’m the unbeatable – a fan favorite. But I have a secret – I’m already gayer than a pink unicorn wearing a tutu. Still, I get invited back time and time again.

It’s all business until the most beautiful brown eyes look at me and the sexiest body is pressed against mine. However, this fucking man keeps running away. Thankfully, I’m able to give him private lessons in fucking a man, something I’m all to happy to oblige.

But Dak is more than just a good time. He’s a threat to everything I think I know, forcing me to acknowledge that maybe there’s something deeper between us.

Rumor has it all it takes is a single person to turn your life upside down. I think I just met that person and I’m not sure which way is up or if I’m going to crash and burn before I find the surface.

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a fascinating read. I really appreciated the mature approach that Sparrow took to the situation with Dak – it would have far too easy for him to get angry or reject Dak but instead he showed such patience and understanding. I enjoyed the background characters and the progression of their relationship as they figured out what they meant to each other and did what they could to make things happen. Communication was emphasised over and over again which I really did like – Sparrow was determined not to fall into emotional traps and insisted that they talk and this was so refreshing. Even better when Dak called him out on something and he not only admitted fault but apologised. I don’t think I’ve read a lot of stories by this author but I’m making my way through their back catalogue and this book is the main reason for that!

Changed: Mated to the Alien Alpha by Robin Moray (The Omega Colony Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Changed: Mated to the Alien Alpha
AUTHOR: ⟫ Robin Moray

SERIES: ⟫ The Omega Colony Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 3/5

BLURB: ⟫ The Company said Omega IV was uninhabited. They said Omega IV was safe.
They were wrong.

The giant humanoid inhabitants of Omega IV are conditioned to the Change—a biological event in their development that designates them altha or amekha—but for the new colony of humans, the Change comes as an unpleasant surprise.

Dr Cameron Grant, bitter after a turbulent break-up, finds himself in a first-contact situation that was never covered in training.The alien warrior Tal’jen, seven feet tall and distinctly male, has taken an interest in him, an interest with a clear and pressing conclusion. Dr Grant can’t deny his attraction, even as his body undergoes strange and frightening changes. Whatever is happening to him, it’s obvious that Tal’jen understands it instinctively. He will have to place himself in the hands of an alien and hope that Tal’jen’s interest is as benign as it seems.

Meanwhile, Tal’jen, chief-in-waiting of his people, seeks a mate. The handsome and strange Cam’ren of the newcomers calls to him powerfully, though he has not yet gone through his Change. To be chief Tal’jen must mate with a bearer, so while he longs to claim Cam’ren for his own, he must be patient and hope that Cam’ren’s Change will grant him the gift of bearing young.

As the Change spreads through the human colony, leaving chaos in its wake, Cameron and Tal’jen must fight to protect both the delicate bond growing between them, and each other.

REVIEW: ⟫ I love the whole idea of this but found it very difficult to suspend disbelief throughout the story. It was laughable the way that Cameron behaved with Tal’jen, especially since he hadn’t actually begun the change when things began between them. As things unfolded, I think the lack of panicking and/or proper investigation into what was happening dragged me out of the story – who the heck hears that they’re growing an organ but wants to continue eating alien food? And the fact that this was beginning to affect other people didn’t cause the rush to figure it all out that I was expecting. I enjoyed quite a few aspects of the story but found I couldn’t disengage my brain enough. That’s not to say I won’t read more of the series!

Rotten by Bree Wiley (Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #2)

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TITLE: ⟫ Rotten
AUTHOR: ⟫ Bree Wiley

SERIES: ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One: 1nf3ction Book #2
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Surviving is all I’ve ever known.
Abandoned young, I was left to fend for myself in a place ruled by fear and control. Silver runs everything—rations, medicine, currency—and those like me, carriers of the infection, are treated less than human.

Everyone I love is gone.
All that’s left is my sister, but she vanished into Zone T years ago, and I won’t stop until I find her. Even if it means stepping onto his boat.

An eye for an eye.
They call him the Ferryman. A monster with a bird of prey, tasked with bringing criminals across the river. Those who board his vessel never return.

But he’s not what I expected. There are secrets behind his quiet stare and a history soaked in blood. His gentle touch draws me in deeper than I meant to go. The closer I get to the truth, the more he unravels parts of me I thought were long dead.
The Ferryman wants to claim my soul, but I don’t know if I could ever be his.
All I am is…rotten.

Rotten is a full-length MM dark dystopian horror romance as part of the 1nf3ction shared world collaboration. Each book is a standalone containing themes and situations not intended for readers under the age of 18. Both characters are consenting adults. This story features a mute, morally grey cinnamon roll, Greek mythology themes, a talking crow too smart for her own good, and a guaranteed HEA.

REVIEW: ⟫ Okay, I had absolutely no idea what I was letting myself in for with this one – I don’t think I’ve read any Bree Wiley before. The story begins in the middle of some gnarly action and just kept going! This was such a ride – my heart broke for both Charon and Hector, what they had been through and were still going through. The plot was fascinating and horrifying at the same time – humanity can truly be monstrous and unfortunately I could well see the things that happened in the story happening in reality. The zombies are the background – what’s at the forefront is just how people keep going during these horrific times. Finding love amidst all of that seems next to impossible and yet Charon and Hector were both brave enough to allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other.

I would suggest reading the warnings listed in the back because like I said, a lot of this I just wasn’t ready for, but this was an excellent addition to the series and I will be looking out for more books by Bree Wiley.

Ash on the Tongue by Lee McCormick (Mayhem Manuscripts Season one : 1nf3ction Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Ash on the Tongue
AUTHOR: ⟫ Lee McCormick

SERIES: ⟫ Mayhem Manuscripts Season One : 1nf3ction Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Humans were always monsters, the rain just gave them an excuse.

Aubrey

The infected didn’t break me. They didn’t capture me for experiments and use me like an object. Humanity made me into the monster I am.

I’m reckless because it makes me feel alive, careless because I’m addicted to pain. And I’m dangerous because I’ve got nothing left to live for.

Nothing, until I meet a raider who seems to see right through me… who demands I do the one thing I said I’d never do again.

Let him in.

Phoenix

My mother left me to die on streets flooded with crimson rain. From the time I was born, all I’ve known is betrayal.

Now all I know is my pack. We take what we want when we want. We survive and we thrive because we know humans are as bad as the infected, and in this world, you eat or get eaten.

When I find a man who seems like he’s got a death wish… I know he’s mine. His reluctance makes me crave him. His defiance makes me burn like the fire in his eyes.

I’ve never wanted anything the way I want him. I need to know if his blood runs as red as the rain.


Ash on the Tongue is a Dual POV MM dystopian dark romance, and part of the 1nf3ction multi-author series. It features a man broken by the world around him and a raider who thrives on his chaos. Expect dark situations, high heat, and two men willing to burn down the world to keep what’s theirs.

REVIEW: ⟫ Whoa, I was not expecting this! A whole new world, where crimson rain has effected humanity in many different, horrendous ways and the discovery that often the monsters are human.

Both Phoenix and Aubrey were just walking red flags – they had been through so much individually, and the world in which they lived wasn’t set up for soft or kind. But somehow, the two of them together managed to look beyond the external scars and the things they had done to survive to the person underneath. This was beautiful – also dark as heck, occasionally made me gasp (seriously, read the warnings because I didn’t have cannibalism on my bingo card for reading romance), brutal and yet there was an underlying desperate need for family, connection and love. I seriously loved reading this one and am looking forward to reading more in the series. I haven’t really enjoyed reading McCormick’s collaborations with R S McKensie so it felt really good to return to their books and find myself turning pages with anticipation for what they were coming up with next. Yeah, this series could be seriously good – fingers crossed for the second book in the series!