Tag Archives: Rating: 4.5

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!

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.

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!

Money Shot by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Money Shot
AUTHOR: ⟫ Eden Finley & Saxon James
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Finn

When my sister moves from Chicago to Edmonton to get married, I take the opportunity to follow her. My life has become a lonely existence, only ever having time for work. The closest thing I have to a relationship is a one-sided affair with Gunner–the hottest cam boy on the app Money Shot.

This move will be good. It will allow me to slow down and sort out my priorities. Maybe I’ll even have time for a real relationship with someone in person.

The problem with that is, the only person to catch my eye in Canada is the commitment-phobe best man. There’s something familiar in the way Curtis moves. In his smile. Every interaction we have convinces me I know him from somewhere. When it clicks, it takes way too long to admit that Curtis and my favorite cam boy might be the same person. What are the actual chances my dream man is about to be my sister’s new brother-in-law?

The last thing I want is for Curtis to think I’m a creep, so I decide to unsubscribe, only it’s harder than I thought it would be. Getting to know Curtis in real life, and Gunner online, has made things murky, and the smart choice is to cut things off and pretend like it never happened.

But I never said I was smart.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was so much fun to read!! I absolutely adored both Curtis and Finn, especially the banter between them and the next level flirting! I completely understood why both of them felt it was a bad idea to get involved, with potential repercussions for their wider family/friends network and appreciated that they acted like grown men – i.e. not ruled by their loins! Until they were.

The whole thing between Gunner and KingdomHearts was incredibly wholesome (as well as sexy) and when Curtis began to figure out what was going on, I was on the edge of my seat! The way he dropped the mic on Finn was class and I cackled out loud.

I felt that the representation of Alzheimer was sensitive and not over-blown, which I appreciated. Finn trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life, as well as Curtis learning some things about himself were handled well and I felt that both of them showed such growth and maturity – it was refreshing and fun to read.

I love this writing duo so much and very much enjoyed this new story from them.

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

Posted on by
1

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.

The Crease by Crea Reitan (For Puck’s Sake Book #4)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ The Crease
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ For Puck’s Sake Book #4
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Always protect the heart of the ice.Max

This wasn’t supposed to happen to me. I’m supposed to be at the top of my career. Untouchable. Worshiped. Finally proving to all the jerks in my life that I made it. I’m at the top.

Then a video that shouldn’t exist leaks and everything comes crashing down. I’m about to lose it all and I can’t seem to get out of my own way. My agent banishes me to a place that technology can’t touch while he tries to salvage my career.

I’m caught between rage and deep depression, lashing out at everyone and everything around me. I have myself to blame but right now, all I want is to drown in my misery. Even when something unexpected and good comes along, all I can do is push and push until I’m once more drowning all alone.

Deryke

I don’t know what’s come over me. Why does this disaster of a hockey player suddenly call to my heart and everything inside my body and mind? I mean, the world knows what’s in his pants and I’ve never been even slightly turned on by that! Why now? Why him?

Even when he’s bratting so hard I want to break him, I can see that he acts the way he does because he’s hurting somewhere deep inside. He won’t let me in, but for some unknown reason, I can’t let Maximus Latham go.

He needs me. He needs someone to believe in him and not disappear the minute he messes up. He needs someone to love him for him, not for being the hockey god he is. Except I’m not sure I can reach him in time before he self-destructs.

But damned if I’m not going to try.

REVIEW: ⟫ Well this damn near broke my heart. It was obvious the previous times that we’ve seen Max that something isn’t right. But I had absolutely no idea just how bad and awful it was. Deryke was absolutely everything Max needed – from how he handled the tantrums, his refusal to accept Max being less than his true self, his ability to see what Max needs – he was just perfect. I loved the story – the two of them together alone for three months, figuring things out, not least that Deryke was straight before Max and that Max is kinda broken inside and needs help. I read this in one sitting and just felt so relieved and happy with how things ended. This was a good one for me!

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

Posted on by
1

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!

Late Bloomer by Morgan Hawes

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Late Bloomer
AUTHOR: ⟫ Morgan Hawes
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ After a rough start, Malcolm Roy III has cleaned up his act, gotten (mostly) sober, and now stands to inherit his family’s wealth and his father’s business. But Malcolm has a secret: he’s spent the last ten years on dangerous suppressants. After collapsing at work, and on his doctor’s orders, Malcolm has cut them out completely. Now he has to return to the office, presenting as himself for the first time ever.

As an omega.

Vincent Hoffman has a good life. He’s got a home, he’s got his cats. He likes his job, even though his boss is the annoying, smarmy son of the CEO. Vincent couldn’t ask for anything more. He might’ve done, once upon a time (or eighteen months ago–but who’s counting?), but his ex-fiancee put an end to those dreams when she walked out of his life. For now, Vincent is content.

But after a disaster at the office, his comfortable life is threatened when Malcolm discovers his secret. Despite how he’s presented himself all these years, Vincent isn’t a harmless beta.

He’s an alpha.

Now Malcolm’s biological clock is ticking down towards his first heat. He’s rich, he’s connected, and he’s gorgeous – an ambitious alpha could take a lot from man like Malcolm and there’d be nothing he could do about it. He needs to make a choice, and fast: he needs to find an alpha he can trust.

Someone like…

Late Bloomeris a non-shifter, extremely slow burn m/m a/b/o standalone romance novel that features explicit consent in every sex scene, lots of chemistry, mild BDSM themes, no mpreg, and a HEA.

REVIEW: ⟫
This was such a fascinating read – it felt like something unusual in the area of omega/alpha dynamics. I struggled with both leads – I liked them on occasion but also found them frustrating because they were both so horrendous at communicating. However, as a story about how sometimes you need to just trust your inner thoughts, this was great. Both Malcolm and Vincent worked so hard to do the best that they could by each other and the ‘big gesture’ towards the end was so romantic. I really enjoyed reading this – it was just so different to what I’m used to – I looked for more by the author but couldn’t find anything. I would say to definitely give this a try, even if on occasion you want to slap both MCs over the back of the head!

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

Posted on by
1

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.

Out of a Fix by Mary Calmes (Torus Intercession #7)

Posted on by
1

TITLE: ⟫ Out of a Fix
AUTHOR: ⟫ Mary Calmes

SERIES: ⟫ Torus Intercession #7
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ If you put a family back together, how can you ever leave them?

Through the years, Nash Miller has watched all his buddies fall in love and get married. It was romantic, and he’d wondered when he himself would find the one. Now, older, wiser, he realizes that what he’s always wanted—a husband and a family—just isn’t in the cards for him. And that’s all right. He has wonderful friends, a good life, and he gets to help people, which has always been his true calling. So when the time comes to protect a family in a tiny town in Washington State, he’s more than willing to get on his white horse and ride.

The family needs a bodyguard, but it goes beyond that. The mother abandoned them for a new life, and the father is absent, stuck on a work project he took on to keep his family afloat. What Nash finds are three kids in need of a fixer, and lucky for them, that’s exactly what he does. Providing support and structure is second nature to him, and he’s on solid ground, confident…until their father, Luke Duchesne, gets home. He’s nothing like Nash assumed he’d be, and with each passing day, the lure of the man, and his great kids, gets harder to resist. But he can’t stay there. He’s a fixer, after all, and what they’re all feeling is simply gratitude. Isn’t it…? Though when Luke kisses him, it starts to feel like so much more. Nash hopes he’ll be able to explore a life with Luke—he just needs to make sure his own isn’t cut short.

REVIEW: ⟫ Struggling with a book hangover (Garrett Leigh’s Just This Once destroyed me), I discovered the last book in the Torus Intercession was ready for me to read. And this one was so lovely and so much fun! Nash is one of the oldest fixers working for Torus Intercession and has watched all of his friends find their person, some of them very close to home.

What he doesn’t expect when he takes on the latest ‘fix’ is a family in desperate need of someone to be the heart, the glue that keeps them together. He bonds with the children first, helping them deal with the loss of their mother and the (apparent) desertion of a father who is struggling to keep afloat. The kids in this had me rolling with laughter and when Luke returned home, things heated up in such a fabulous fashion. True to her normal formatting, Calmes crafted a situation where working together and communicating made everything so much better, and beneath all of that we had plots involving cartel members and corrupt police officials.

This was exactly what I needed – Mary Calmes is one of my comfort reads because she always ensures a happy ending, along with glimpses of previous favourites that makes my heart so happy. If you’ve read her before, you know just what you’re getting into and I’m sure fans will enjoy this final instalment.