Tag Archives: book-review

Starting With Cake by October Arden

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TITLE: ⟫ Starting with Cake
AUTHOR: ⟫ October Arden
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ “I love you.”

The words hang in the air, as unsettling as the box of snack cakes shoved into Cain’s hands. Russel—the twitchy, socially oblivious office worker who speaks like an alien observing human customs—has never spoken to Cain before today. And Cain, a janitor with a body that betrays him—anxiety, IBS, and a heart still bruised by his ex—doesn’t know how to respond.

Rejecting Russel should be simple, but Russel doesn’t understand rejection.

The snack cakes become elaborate desserts. The awkward confessions grow more persistent, and when Cain’s apartment burns to the ground, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back, Russel offers him a bed—temporarily.

Except Russel doesn’t do boundaries.

He cooks meals tailored to Cain’s stomach, remembers Gabby’s love of painting, and helps Angel with his math issues, all without being asked. He sees Cain—his pain, his fierce love for his found family—and cares without expectation.

But letting someone in means confronting the parts of himself he’s spent years locking away. And Russel’s love isn’t the kind you walk away from unscathed.

A hauntingly tender queer love story about the bodies we’re given, the families we choose, and the love that rewires us.

REVIEW: ⟫ The second book that I’ve read by October Arden this month, the way this story began was straight up crazy. I’m not gonna lie, I thought Russell was going to turn out to be some stalker, which to be fair, he kinda did. But Russell was one of the loveliest characters I’ve read. Honest, literal, caring and so-so in love with Cain, it would be really difficult to dislike him and I can well understand why Cain found himself falling in love.

There were aspects I didn’t like – the ex partner plot-line bugged the heck out of me – but the cast of characters was so engaging, different and entertaining that I really enjoyed this book. I’m adding a couple of more books by the author to my TBR and will keep an eye out for future stories. Recommended!

Saving Sparrow by C.P. Harris (Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings)

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TITLE: ⟫ Saving Sparrow
AUTHOR: ⟫ C.P. Harris

SERIES: ⟫ Slow Burns and Tragic Beginnings #2
RATING: ⟫ 5/5

BLURB: ⟫ A missing husband.

A deadly storm.

A stranger he shouldn’t trust.

Miguel Ramirez was living his happily ever after with husbands Quentin and Elliott when tragedy struck. He’s left reeling after waking up in a hospital bed to find both his husbands gone—but only one is missing.

After months of desperate searching, Miguel gets a tip about Elliott’s whereabouts—one that leads him straight into the heart of Alaska’s most brutal snowstorm on record.

Severely injured and with no means of escape, Miguel finds himself held captive in a crumbling mansion by a man he both recognizes and fears. Stumbling upon leverage that could gain him his freedom, he strikes a tenuous bargain with his captor—a bargain that slowly reveals the truth about Elliott’s heartbreaking past.

As buried secrets rise to the surface, missing puzzle pieces begin shifting into place, and Miguel comes to realize he never truly knew his husband at all.

The deeper he digs, the more entangled he becomes in a web of intrigue and longing for a man he thought was his enemy—someone who ends up being something else entirely.

As the polar night draws to an end, both captor and prisoner are aware that their time is running out. Miguel is conflicted, no longer wanting to choose between his past and his present—but he can’t have both. All that’s left to do now is surrender to the inevitable.

Saving Sparrow is book two in the Slow Burns & Tragic Beginnings series, but can be read as a standalone. You can expect an MMM romance, told in past/present timelines, that ends in a HEA. Saving Sparrow does contain unhealthy relationship dynamics. Please utilize the “sample” feature for a full list of content warnings, or visit the author’s website.

REVIEW: ⟫
Like, DAMN, C.P. Harris had me in a choke-hold with this one. The past/present timelines were fascinating, the sense of utter terror and dread built throughout the story, and basically my heart was shattered on numerous occasions. I don’t actually know if I even liked any of the characters but I felt so badly for them – I needed them to find a way to be happy. The subject matter was handled sensitively and with passion for what was the right way to demonstrate what they were going through. It’s taken me two days to write this review because I had to keep removing spoilers – it was an incredibly intricate story that was told and I feel so glad that I read it. I just might need to read some Mills & Boon stories and keep things light and fluffy for a while!!

These Shoes Weren’t Made for Stalking by CB Wren (Cobbler’s Corner Mystery)

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TITLE: ⟫ These Shoes Weren’t Made for Stalking
AUTHOR: ⟫ CB Wren

SERIES: ⟫ A Cobbler’s Corner Cozy Mystery #1
RATING: ⟫ 2.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Someone’s targeting our historical district, starting with Rosie Wilson’s beloved bakery. As the fourth-generation owner of Cobblers’ Corner, I won’t stand by while our community crumbles.

Enter Dominic Steele, a corporate shark of an alpha whose designer shoes cost more than my monthly rent. He claims he wants to help save our district, but his presence sets off warning bells… and other, more primal instincts I’d rather ignore.

When one of Rosie’s former employees goes missing, what started as vandalism quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Every cobblestone in Millcrest holds a secret, and someone’s willing to kill to keep them buried.

Perfect for readers who love:

* Enemies-to-lovers with age gap romance* Small-town mysteries with high stakes * Protective alphas and stubborn omegas * Knotty romance * A dash of steam with your sleuthing

These Shoes Weren’t Made for Stalking is Book 1 of my Cobblers’ Corner Cozy Mystery series. Enjoy the sparks when a spunky omega craftsman and a ruthless corporate alpha collide in a web of desire and deceit.

Single POV (omega) • 20K words

Note: This serial romance book ends on a cliffhanger, but the complete series promises a new mystery in every book that builds on the overarching story, a satisfying HEA, and eventual mpreg.

REVIEW: ⟫ The cover of this book is utterly gorgeous and a big part of why I looked at it in the first place!

I understand the premise of a serial romance book – if it grabs the reader, they will keep coming back for more. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me – I felt like a whole lot of nothing happened during this book and I know the mystery was meant to be ‘cozy’ but it’s almost an insult to call it a mystery. I didn’t like or particularly care for either of our MMCs and felt zero investment in their relationship, especially with how cryptic Dominic was being.

I don’t know if it was my headspace – I generally enjoy omega/alpha dynamics – but this one just didn’t work for me at all and I won’t be continuing with the rest of the series. Obviously, your mileage may vary.

The Beast’s Broken Angel by Greyson Vale

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TITLE: ⟫ The Beast’s Broken Angel
AUTHOR: ⟫ Greyson Vale
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ He was meant to save lives. Instead, he signed away his own.

Dr. Noah Hastings is a brilliant trauma specialist with a spotless reputation and a past he doesn’t speak of. When his sister’s life hangs in the balance, he makes a deal with the city’s most dangerous man—a decision that drags him into a world of blood-soaked secrets, brutal power, and a beast with a scarred face and colder heart.

Adrian Calloway rules London’s underworld from the shadows, ruthless and untouchable. But the moment Noah steps into his life, everything tilts. Because Noah doesn’t flinch at Adrian’s monsters. He sees them. Names them. And worse—he stays.

What begins as a transaction spirals into obsession, betrayal, and the kind of love that ruins men.

But love doesn’t cleanse the blood. It only stains you deeper.

REVIEW: ⟫ I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book having finished it, and to be honest I’m still not sure.

There were definitely aspects that I found fascinating. Adrian was an interesting character, especially with how we are introduced to him. It was absolutely horrific what he witnessed as a child and the actions behind it were abhorrent and yet really and truly fascinating.

Noah I found harder to get a grasp on. I didn’t quite understand his back story with regard to his parents, but his devotion to Isabelle was beautiful and he was an interesting character. I struggled slightly with his acceptance of the things that Adrian did and this could have been explored deeper.

Where I really struggled was with how Adrian treated Viktor. For some reason, it just didn’t sit right with me – I actually am still not sure whether it was based on desire, a test of loyalty or just a really messed up view of people and things. I think that this did affect my feelings towards the book. The sex scenes were hot, with some very surprising aspects to them that I hadn’t expected. The plot was okay but the ‘bad’ guy was kinda obvious from the very beginning. I also felt that some of Adrian’s actions didn’t make sense considering what he knew or at least suspected.

The writing was good, the story was interesting and the characters were a little polarising (which meant I didn’t get bored) so I’m probably going to be thinking of this one for a while, trying to figure out how I actually feel!

I received an ARC from Booksprout.

Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

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TITLE: ⟫ Stubborn Puckboy
AUTHOR: ⟫ Eden Finley & Saxon James

SERIES: ⟫ Puckboys #9
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Colby

Once upon a time, playing for the NHL was my dream. Then Radimir Novicov skated circles around me and made it clear I’d never be good enough. He was smart, talented, and worst of all–sexy. Every closeted guy knows that you don’t hit on your teammate, even if his gaze lingers longer than it should.

All it took was one drunken close call before our friendship was in tatters, he was called up to the NHL, and I was sent for further conditioning.

Playing in the NHL was off the table, so coaching became my new dream.

And seventeen years later, I’m finally heading to the big time.

Video coach. Pro level. The only downside?

It’s for Novi’s team.

Novi

Radimir Novicov is not scared of anything. I am one of the best. Future Hall of Famer. There are two years left on my contract and I will end my career on the highest high anyone did see.

Then I will slink into the shadows where no one will hear of me again.

Because while I’m playing professionally, I cannot come out and be myself. Not with my family still in Russia.

The plan has been set since I first moved to America, and I only have two years left to wait. It should be easy to focus on hockey.

Then Colby Kessinger walks back into my life. The teammate with the lopsided smiles and cocky attitude–the one who made my heart want things it can’t have.

Now two years feels like a lifetime.

REVIEW: ⟫ I went into this one a little blind as Novi didn’t really make a huge impact on me in the previous books. Big mistake – huge! Novi is a fabulous character, full of humour, strength of character and love and reading about him and Colby fighting for their happily ever after was a fantastic experience, for which I gave up a night’s sleep as I only meant to read one chapter and then hours later, I finished reading!

The secrecy of the relationship – for both of the main leads – was handled extremely well. None of their reasons for the way they acted were frivolous, and acknowledging all of the dangers inherent in workplace relationship, along with the political aspects and potential for ruining lives and careers were all made clear. Which made it all the more beautiful when both Colby and Novi didn’t play games – their communication was open, honest and really good to read . I loved the background cast of characters (Novi’s sister is a definite favourite) and being together with entire Queer Collective was a joy. I almost died laughing when Colby and Novi attended one of the Collective’s parties, and it’s a really good thing that they have the fire department on speed dial – IYKYK!

Eden and Saxon have managed to keep this long running series on a tight leash, with no repetition of tropes, and up to date understanding of what is going on in the real world whilst also allowing us to escape into their hockey world. I am so pleased I grabbed the opportunity to read this and recommend it wholeheartedly – the world needs more puckboys!

I received an ARC from Foreword PR.

The Allure of Ruins by Mary Calmes

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The Allure of Ruins – Mary Calmes

TITLE: ⟫ The Allure of Ruins
AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Paxton Walsh has a comfortable life, which wasn’t always the case. But ever since he left his tumultuous life on the West Coast, trading it for a new beginning on the East Coast, things have settled. He can thank himself for the change, but also his boss and friend, Colton Gates. Their relationship is…a bit too codependent and close for most people to understand, but it works perfectly for them. So what if thoughts can be conveyed with a glance? That doesn’t really mean anything. Or at least not what other people think.

But now a threat from Pax’s past is back, shattering that hard-won peace. With Pax in danger and needing protection, Colton immediately steps up and takes him in. Without distance, though, without retreating to separate homes, both men have to be honest about their feelings. The truth is, Pax was hurt, body and soul, and if he reaches for Colton and finds they can’t be more, he’ll lose everything. If Colton does the same and it doesn’t work, he’ll lose Pax, his best friend and the person who knows him better than anyone. With both of them terrified of the what-ifs, it might be too hard to have faith and jump. If only they could both be brave.

REVIEW: ⟫ I am a die-hard Mary Calmes fan and have been for a very long time! I know what I’m getting when I read one of her books – they’re reliable in the almost dangerous codependency of the romantic couples, the one character that absolutely everyone adores and want to be around, the chemistry is off the charts and the sex is epic. Guaranteed pleaser!

The Allure of Ruins was a good book but it wasn’t great. I didn’t connect with Paxton at all and because we didn’t get Colton’s point of view, he didn’t click with me either. The relationship between the two of them was interesting – I would have actually liked to have seen what happened when they first began working together and how their relationship progressed from there – but that wasn’t the focus of this story. I thought the plot involving Gen was wasted – as a bad guy, his actions were predominantly in the past so he wasn’t the fearful figure that he could have been. I also didn’t pick up on certain clues regarding law enforcement so that side-plot took me very much by surprise.

I still enjoyed reading this but it wasn’t up there for me. I absolutely adore reading ‘He Said He Said’ which is part of Mary’s monthly newsletter and would have much preferred if this had been a collection of the stories told there! Still worth a read but not her best.

Fitch by N.R. Walker (Wylde Street Boys Book #2)

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Fitch – N.R. Walker

TITLE: ⟫ Fitch
AUTHOR: ⟫ N.R. Walker

SERIES: ⟫ Wylde Street Boys #2
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Dominic Lowing knows stress. He lost his father to a stress-fuelled heart attack, and his own fast-paced career as a lawyer has done little to help. But he knows which coping mechanisms work for him: diet and exercise, of course. And a very active particular sex life.

Fitch Lamont has been working his corner on Wylde Street for two years. Not exactly the direction he saw his life going, but he’s a glass-half-full kind of guy. He has a roof over his head, enough food to eat—sometimes—and two best friends that make it all worthwhile.

When Dominic encounters a rent boy who ticks all his boxes, he decides to make it a regular encounter. But then their arrangement, their personal lives—and feelings—collide in unexpected ways.

Fitch found more than a client in Dominic; he found safe arms and a kind heart. And maybe, if he could let his guard down long enough, he might realise he found his future too.

REVIEW: ⟫ Having read book one in the trilogy, I was interested in Fitch and his relationship with Dominic so I was looking forward to reading this. However, there were a number of things that I didn’t enjoy in this story – the sex was on more than one occasion painful for Fitch but he ‘pushed through it’ for Dominic because he wanted to please him. This bothered me because it wasn’t part of their Daddy/Boy dynamic and seemed borderline abusive to me. I understand that Dominic was ‘overcome’ by desire but it became a pattern that bothered me.

This was very much a retelling of the first book but from Fitch and Dominic’s perspective, which left me feeling a lot like I’d already read all of this and not feeling their connection/relationship. I am very much interested in Kynan which is book three so I will finish the trilogy but I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first.

No Pucks by J.R. Gray (Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ No Pucks
AUTHOR: ⟫ J.R. Gray

SERIES: ⟫Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #1
RATING: ⟫4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Finding out the guy I hooked up with is on my team isn’t the way I saw my first week of coaching going.

My name is Anthony Hawke, and I used to be a rising star in the NHL until someone purposefully tore my ACL, ending my career. I went from the top of my life to nothing in a matter of months.

I take a coaching job a thousand miles away as a fresh start, only to ruin it before I start.

Three months ago, I met him in a bar. Sexy and funny and built like a God—no names, just the best night of my life.

I never thought I’d see him again, but jokes on me, he’s a freshman on my team. Not only is he an insufferable playboy, but his father is the one who ruined my career.

I can’t lose this coaching job by sleeping with a player, but he won’t let it go. And if his father finds out, forget working anywhere in hockey again.

REVIEW: ⟫ I preface this by saying that I haven’t read any of the New York Gods series, which this author wrote with Andi Jaxon – I feel kinda guilty about that as I’ve had the first on on my kindle for over a year!

The blurb caught my attention – I loved the idea of a coach discovering his one night stand is actually one of his players – so I dived straight in. I know this is meant to be a grumpy/sunshine type thing, but I’m not sure that I would describe Logan as sunshine? He was upbeat and positive, especially considering his home-life, but not my definition of sunshine. Anthony was definitely grumpy though – I think it took nearly 75% of the book before he even smiled!

This was a nice enough read, a little surface maybe? There were a lot of time jumps – almost a fade to black of the two of them together and then it was the next morning or somewhere else. Logan’s father was a bit of a caricature bad guy and it seemed like all of his power was derived from his wife and father in law. It was a nice enough story, the chemistry between Anthony and Logan was good, and I even enjoyed the hockey. I will look out for more in the series and I will definitely dig out the collaborative stories written by JR Gray and Andi Jaxon!

The Sin Eater by Onley James (The Watch #2)

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TITLE: ⟫ The Sin Eater
AUTHOR: ⟫ Onley James

SERIES: ⟫The Watch #2
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Waylon Boone is no stranger to danger. As the headmaster of the Watch, an elite school hidden in the desert where the wealthy send their psychopathic children to become the perfect covert operatives, he’s trained killers, spies, and manipulators. But none have ever tested his control quite like Payton Skinner—the most dangerous student to walk through the doors, and the one Boone thought he could tame.

Payton’s obsession with the older man is immediate and all-consuming. Boone may be his teacher, but Payton has his own lessons to impart—lessons in seduction, power, and the art of taming a heart long since closed off to the world. But when a twisted video scandal rocks the school, accusing a trusted handler of betrayal, Boone and Payton are thrust into a high-stakes game of lies and espionage. A hacker threatens to reveal dark secrets, both real and fabricated, and no one knows who to trust.

As the investigation deepens, so does the heat between them, and the closer they get to unraveling the mystery, the harder it is to deny their growing connection. In a place where deception is currency and control is everything, Boone and Payton will have to decide how far they’re willing to go for the truth—and for each other.

The Sin Eater is an action-packed, smoking hot, age gap romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features an exhausted, burnt-out assassin turned reluctant headmaster of psychopaths and an infuriating, calculating, psychopathic student who have absolutely no business being together but find themselves unable to resist forbidden fruit. As always, you can expect gratuitous violence, very dark humor, more blood than a slaughterhouse, and enough steamy moments to power a ship. This is book two in The Watch series. Each book follows a different couple.

REVIEW: ⟫ The Sin Eater and the Little Monster – man, these two were fun!! I adored the fact that Boone was absolutely head over heels and fighting it, whilst all of his staff members were basically laying bets on when he would give in!

Payton was fascinating – I loved the insight into his brain and how committed he was to Boone. He decided that Boone was the man for him and did everything to make sure it happened. I loved the vulnerability that Boone and Payton showed each other; Boone’s protectiveness made me sigh in longing, and the sex scenes between the two of them were wild!

I loved the underlying plot arc and am fascinated by what is happening at the school – not least because of all of the intrigue going on whilst trying to corral a group of psychopaths just sounds insane! An excellent addition to The Watch series and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC through the author’s Patreon.

Fey Sovereignty by S.Rodman (Fey Lords Book #4)

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TITLE: ⟫ Fey Sovereignty
AUTHOR: ⟫ S.Rodman

SERIES: ⟫ Fey Lords #4
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Falling in love is not part of my mission.

I’m undercover as the pet of a fey prince.

The fey have conquered Earth. Getting rid of them is impossible, but putting someone on their throne who is more amenable, is not.

Prince Llywelyn Y Mabinogi is very keen on overthrowing his brother, and very welcoming of human help.

He is vain, arrogant, obnoxious. Not too bright. In short, he is the perfect candidate.

So here I am, in the midst of the fey court. Pretending to be his pet so I can see all, hear all. Learn all.

But I’m learning things I never expected.

Such as Llywelyn being not at all what he seems.

I’ve never met someone so lonely. So touch-starved. So needy.

He has terrible screaming nightmares about someone called Iestyn.

So many secrets I need to uncover. But some things are becoming clear.

Years as a Special Agent haven’t totally frozen my heart.

And being a prince doesn’t save you.

Fey Sovereignty is a sizzling gay romance containing enemies to lovers, forced proximity, only one bed, undercover, a redemption arc, ‘he needs me’, and a secret relationship.

Happily ever after is guaranteed.

Each book in the Fey Lords series follows a different couple. This means each book can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, this book redeems a villain from the previous books, so will be more fun if the other books have been read (Especially Fey Regency).

Please note this story includes content that will be upsetting for some readers. If further information is needed, please use the “Look Inside” or sample feature to view the copyright page, where a full list can be found. Alternatively, this information can be viewed on the author’s website.

REVIEW: ⟫ I wasn’t sure how S Rodman was going to redeem Llewelyn so was quite intrigued before I began reading this book. It takes you instantly into the action – a secret agent has accepted a new mission as the pet of Llewelyn, with a plan to usurp the throne and get the Fey out of power. It should have been a simple task for Ethan, but from the very beginning Llewelyn didn’t meet his expectations.

It was interesting learning more about the rules and regulations that rule Fey society, although some of them are incredibly barbaric. I was fascinated by Llewelyn’s secret and the way he behaved with Ethan. It was truly heartbreaking learning his ‘romantic’ history and how he had been used and abused – no wonder it messed with Ethan’s perceptions of him. This was a story about finding someone who accepts all of you and Llewelyn has definitely earned his happily ever after. I really wasn’t sure how they were going to get there in the end – things seemed impossible, with the heartbreaking disconnect between Llewelyn and his brothers, spies within court and Ethan’s agency hovering in a menacing fashion. I really enjoyed how Rodman managed to get these two their happily ever after – it made my little romantic heart sigh with happiness!