Taste of Blood by A.J. Church (Cord & Asher Book #1)

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Taste of Blood
AUTHOR: ⟫ A.J. Church

SERIES: ⟫ Cord & Asher Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ Forever is a long time for a vampire.

I always thought Asher Winston was my forever.
That’s why cutting him out of my life was like cutting off a limb.
But it had to be done.
If I’d stayed, we would have killed each other.
For ten years I avoided him.
Going through the motions.
Empty and alone.
And then that chance meeting on the street.
Now I’m caught in his web again.
I know where this will lead, but I don’t have the strength to end it.
Because as much as I hate it, the only time I can breathe is when he’s near me.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is the first book by A.J. Church that I have read and the premise sounded fascinating. I would say that because Cord and Asher were lovers in the past, the author threw us straight into the meat of the story, with the romance/relationship playing out against the background of a new threat to the vampires of the Crimson Guild. It’s difficult to tell which people we are meant to be rooting for – Dante is an arrogant user, Cord is confusing in the way he pushes and pulls with Asher, and Asher – I can’t put my finger on it. I understand that he loves Cord and wants to be with him, but I don’t understand why he didn’t try to fix things over the ten years that they have been estranged.

There were some pretty heavy descriptions of torture and bloodshed above the whole vampire thing meant that I was taken by surprise a few times – normally, such things aren’t quite as graphic. I’m very glad I knew that this ended on a cliffhanger otherwise I would be seriously ticked off. I am looking forward to part two and hope that it fulfils the promise in this.

Possibly too much ‘filler’ in this book – sometimes it felt like things were very stalled in the investigations, but I would also say that it made it easy to appreciate Cord’s frustration with how things were going. The cliffhanger itself did it’s job – I definitely want to know what happens next! I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Omega Captive of the Golden Dragon by Wendy Rathbone (Alpha Dragons #3)

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Omega Captive of the Golden Dragon
AUTHOR: ⟫ Wendy Rathbone

SERIES: ⟫ Alpha Dragons #3
RATING: ⟫ 3.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ I’m a set-omega and I’ve been sold by my wolf pack to the dragons as a breeder.

My name is Caylen. I’m a wolf shifter whose inner beast is missing. This means I cannot shift. As a set-omega, my pack can’t scent me and I’m officially a non-member. Worse, I have lost all rights and can be sold to the highest bidder.

Dragons are wealthy but omega-poor. To keep their population stable, they have become the biggest set-omega importers and pay the most for breeders.

My fate is in the hands of strangers. I’m afraid but refuse to show it.

On the auction block, someone bids for me with pure gold amid gasps and wonder. What does that even mean? What will happen to me?

MM romance, shifter, dragons, omegaverse, mpreg, first time, size difference, past trauma, rescue, HEA.

Note: This is book three of the Alpha Dragon series but is a standalone read.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was an interesting read based on the premise – a ‘set’ omega is one that cannot or does not have an inner beast. When Caylen presents as such, he knows that he will be sold from his pack and pre-empts the action of his parents.

He is bought at auction and transported to a place of utter isolation to live with an Alpha Dragon who is not only damaged, but wants nothing to do with him. The way in which both Varik and Caylen have suffered was pretty heart-wrenching. Varik in particular has been treated abominably by the people he should have been able to trust with his life and obviously is struggling with paranoia and fear. I did enjoy the relationship that built between the two of them – sleeping in front of the fire sounded so relaxing and seemed to be completely what they needed to let their guards down and see how alike they were. I really enjoyed the relationship between Variksan and Caylen – the respect between them, their desire for an honest connection was a pleasure to read.

I did feel like the second half of the story was rushed – from the time they committed to each other, it felt a bit like a summary of their life rather than reading their story. It’s hard to describe any of this without spoilers and the situation they were in was pretty unique, so I was really wondering just how they were going to reach some kind of happily ever after and ‘normal’ life. The writing style was very easy to get into and the story was well told in general – just a little light at the end.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Starting With Cake by October Arden

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Book_Endz

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!

Headmates by October Arden (Inside Book #1)

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Headmates
AUTHOR: ⟫ October Arden

SERIES: ⟫ Inside #1
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ At six-and-a-half feet tall, Luke should be impossible to miss. Instead, he’s spent his life being overlooked, dismissed, forgotten. So when brilliant, magnetic Jaime starts pursuing him with unusual intensity, Luke doesn’t question it. He’s just grateful someone finally sees him.

What Luke doesn’t know is that Jaime shares his body and consciousness with Alex—his headmate, protector, and the man he’s loved for eleven years. What Luke can’t see is that when Jaime looks at him, he’s seeing someone else entirely.

Because Luke looks exactly like Alex would if he had his own body.

As Jaime becomes obsessed with touching Alex through Luke’s skin, their perfect bond begins to fracture. Alex watches helplessly as the man he loves betrays what they’ve built together. And Luke falls deeper for someone who’s using his body to love a ghost.

When the truth comes out, it will destroy everything they thought they knew about love, identity, and what it means to be real.

An intense, emotional queer romance about the dangerous space between want and need.

For fans of TJ Klune’s hurt/comfort and Eli Easton’s emotional complexity.

REVIEW: ⟫ This is the first book by this author that I have read but as soon as I finished, I went to see what else I could find. The second book incorporating DID that I read this weekend, this book was a trip. I couldn’t get a grip on Jamie – I kept trying to figure out what his deal was. Luke – I felt so bad for Luke, ready to accept the scraps from the table as long as it meant he could continue to be with Jamie – heartbreaking. Alex – who we don’t spend a huge amount of time with – made so much more sense to me. Obviously he was jealous and scared – the thought that he might be replaced was terrifying. I completely understood why the cliffhanger happened when it did but boy, I was cursing because I wanted to know what happened next immediately.

This was fascinating, innovative and satisfying and I look forward to the next instalment. I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews.

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

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Book_Endz

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.

One Touch Pass by JJ Mulder

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ One Touch Pass
AUTHOR: ⟫ JJ Mulder

SERIES: ⟫ SCU Hockey #4
RATING: ⟫/5

BLURB: ⟫ Nate meets a stranger at a party, and in the span of seventeen minutes, his life changes.

Marcos meets a stranger at a party and wonders if the universe is laughing at him. His life has become a seemingly endless stream of bad days. Everything is a struggle, from his friendship with Max, to the simple act of changing in the locker room after a baseball game. Stress and anxiety sit so heavy on his shoulders, he can barely function under the weight of it. Starting a relationship is the very last thing he wants or feels he deserves. Particularly when Nate— beautiful, gregarious, and kind Nate— could have anybody he wanted.

If there is one thing Marcos knows, it’s this: Nate deserves someone far better than him.

But despite his best efforts to keep him away, Nate persists. He knows what he wants. He wants Marcos. He wants to coax him out of his shell, take him horseback riding, and treat him right. Seventeen minutes isn’t enough for Nate and Marcos.

REVIEW: ⟫ Currently reading – review to follow.

June 2025 ⟫ Book Reviews Round Up

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Book_Endz

Every month, I try to 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 June 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.

Due to ill health, I didn’t do as much reading this much as I normally do. Hopefully things will pick up in July.

Bend Him Break Him by MN Bennett ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ BookSirens

Sweat by Jonah Yorke ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ BookSirens

The Allure of Ruins by Mary Calmes

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Book_Endz

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.

May 2025 ⟫ Book Reviews Round Up

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Book_Endz

Fey Sovereignty by S Rodman ⟫ Fey Lords #4 ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

Fitch by N.R. Walker ⟫ Wylde Street Boys #2 ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

The Legend Next Door by Jesse H Reign ⟫ Totally Pucked #2 ⟫ 4.5/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

No Pucks by J.R. Gray ⟫ Gods Versus Monsters Hockey ⟫ 4/5 ⟫ Kindle Unlimited

One Honeymoon, Two Hockey Bros, Three Little Words by Oslo Fox ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Netgalley

Three Times As Dirty by Sara Hurst ⟫ A Holt Family Novel ⟫ 3.5/5 ⟫ Indie Author Creative

Sweat by Jonah Yorke

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Book_Endz

TITLE: ⟫ Sweat
AUTHOR: ⟫ Jonah Yorke
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Tommy

I should hate Rowan Hughes. He was a bully when we were kids, and now I find out he’s messed around with my girlfriend. But how can I hate the campus soccer star when he’s everything I’ve always wanted to be?

With my reputation on the line, I can’t let Rowan get away with humiliating me in front of people I know—people we both go to school with.

When he swears he didn’t know Annalese was my girlfriend, I actually believe him. When he says I’m good enough to play beside him, I want to believe that too. But when he insists he’s not gay, all I want is to prove him wrong.

Rowan

I made one dumb decision at a party, and now Tommy Mathison thinks I’m into his girl. He couldn’t be more wrong, but it’s not because I’m gay. It’s because I’m weak. Now I’ve got a beefed-up babyface’s knuckle prints bruising the side of my face, and I can’t get him out of my head.

Tommy isn’t weak, and he may just be the missing piece my team needs to win a championship before I go pro. I don’t know why he quit soccer after high school, but getting him back on the field is easy. Keeping him close without losing control? That’s the real challenge.

SWEAT is a high-spice hurt/comfort sports romance that deals with heavy themes related to identity, mental health, grief, and coping with past trauma. This book is intended for readers age 18 and up.

REVIEW: ⟫ There is very little about this story that makes it seem like a debut novel – I am extremely impressed with this.

Tommy doesn’t have the best life – his sister is struggling from cancer, his Mother is stoic and blunt, and college isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And don’t even get him started on his long-term girlfriend who has cheated on him – again! But this time she’s cheated with someone Tommy knows – and hates.

Rowan honestly broke my heart. I thought all of my sympathies would be with Tommy, but the more into the book I got, the more I just wanted to give Rowan a huge hug and tell him that he wasn’t alone. He felt his only worth was in how he played soccer – finding love wasn’t on the cards for him.

Until Tommy barrels back into his life with a punch, somehow pushing all of Rowan’s buttons and making him face things about himself that he had managed to keep relatively pushed down. Perhaps the story could have been edited to be a bit shorter – we get a lot of training and football, and for a little while I wondered where the story was going. The relationship between Tommy and Rowan was actually really beautiful – the way that their broken edges fit together so well, how they grew to understand each other – was masterfully handled. There was a scene after a soccer match where I literally gasped out loud and clutched my pearls, terrified for what it meant for our boys.

The angst was handled so well – Erica deserves a special mention for making the decision to handle things on her own terms – and the characters were all ‘real’ people. There were no caricatures, obvious ‘bad’ guys or anything like that. The team mates were funny, entertaining and ultimately supportive and I enjoyed the banter and felt it was realistic. I will definitely keep an eye out for the next book in the series and am so pleased that I picked this up.

I received an ARC from BookSirens.