Tag Archives: iamreading

Heated Rivalry Series by Rachel Reid

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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!

Newcomers by October Arden (Inside Book #3)

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TITLE: ⟫ Newcomers
AUTHOR: ⟫ October Arden

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

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


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

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noaz by Crea Reitan (Van Doren Book #2)

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TITLE: ⟫ Noaz
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Van Doren Book #2
RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ Sometimes stars grant you wishes that come covered in blood.

I’ve wanted one thing for as long as I can remember – someone to love, a family, and a happily ever after. I finally found it with the least likely person across the street. Our life together has been dipped in espresso and given a massive jolt forward, but we couldn’t be happier.

That is, until someone threatens that happiness and I’m forced to respond in order to protect my family that’s barely begun. I didn’t mean for this relationship to begin bathed in blood but I will do anything to protect the love I’ve waited decades for.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow.

Alpha Hunted by Crea Reitan (Knotty & Sweet Omegaverse Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ Alpha Hunted
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Knotty & Sweet Omegaverse Book #1
RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ I lost everything in a freak accident. My entire family; everything I’d ever cared about – gone in an instant. Unable to bear the constant reminders and emptiness of my life, I moved across the country to dull the loss, hopefully falling into the anonymity of a large city where even an alpha could disappear.

Starting over was never in my plans. All I wanted was to blend in and let life pass me by. Live in my modest studio apartment with my mindless job as an absentee owner of a popular juice bar downtown.

I spent my days with headphones in as I worked through each machine at the gym, grabbing a juice from my cafe on the way home, and drowning myself in the solitude of my house.

And then I met the only thing I’d never managed to obtain with my pack – an omega who made everything in me spark. And in the next breath, a shy beta who made my most basic instincts rear up and want to wrap her in my arms and give her the world.

Try as I may, I can’t seem to run far enough away from either of them. Once we meet, something keeps pulling us back together at every corner. Just as I start to give in and wrap myself in their pack that consists of two other alphas, I find out that the freak accident that took my first pack from me wasn’t an accident at all.

And now I’m being hunted by the murderers who intend to finish the job.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow.

Stick Lessons by Crea Reitan (For Puck’s Sake Book #7)

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TITLE: ⟫ Stick Lessons
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ For Puck’s Sake Book #7
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Everyone should learn how to handle a stick.

Atty

High school sweethearts, dream wedding, exotic honeymoon, white picket fence, two and a half kids… that’s the dream. My prescribed future. Except, I don’t want any of that. When me and my on/off girlfriend of fifteen years finally call it quits for good, I decide that I’m ready for a new beginning.

I didn’t expect that new beginning to be a dude.

Toby

This man is perfect… he obeys like a marionette, lets me bend him and choke him until my heart’s content. He lets me dress him up, breed him, and refuse his pleasure as if he were built specifically for my needs.

But Atty isn’t who I thought he was and he’s struggling to find his new identity while I’m freefalling for him off the face of a cliff. I’m not used to needing a safety net in life so there’s a very real chance I’m going to hit the ground like a pancake.

Is love always this tragic?

REVIEW: ⟫ I must admit, I left Toby and Atty’s book a few times but I always came back. The dynamic between them was fascinating, and the respect they showed each other was refreshing. I loved catching up with guys from previous books, even if it was in the background, and ultimately, I was glad I read this book. It was really interesting to watch Atty try to figure out this new aspect of his personality, and the conversations surrounding it were stimulating and thought-provoking. Not one of my favourites from this series, but a solid read.