Tag Archives: Rating: 4.5

Junkyard Heart by Garrett Leigh (Porth Ewan Bay #2)

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TITLE: ⟫ Junkyard Heart

AUTHOR: ⟫ Garrett Leigh

SERIES: ⟫ Porth Ewan Bay #2

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ The drifting photographer and the man who knows just what to do with lost things that wash up on the beach. Get lost in this smoking hot trends-to-lovers hurt/comfort MM romance.

Tired of the London rat race and the heartbreak that comes with it, photographer Jas Manning returns to Porth Ewan, the Cornish seaside town where he spent every childhood summer on his father’s farm. Resigned to year-round rain, wind, and homemade jam, he’s sorely unprepared for the impact that artsy carpenter Kim Penrose has on his heart.

Kim’s free-loving reputation precedes him, and he’s as generous with his inked-up body as he is with his time. The sex is hot, the easy friendship even better, and Jas’s time with him building his family’s new farmhouse canteen is everything Jas was missing in his empty city life.

But Kim’s carefree existence isn’t as simple as it appears. He’s worked hard to vanquish his demons and build his dreams, but the devil on his shoulder is ruthless, and when it comes to call, their happy bubble bursts like it was never there at all. The canteen opening looms, but Kim is gone in more ways than one, and it’s down to Jas to shore up Kim’s soul and convince him that he deserves his place in Jas’s heart.

*Previously published with the Porthkennack shared world series, these books have been significantly reworked and re-edited

REVIEW: ⟫ This book crept on me, much the same way that Kim crept up on Jasper. Jas is in no position for a relationship – he still bears the scars from his last one, and returning to Porth Ewan was meant to be a bit of a bolthole while he sorted himself out. Meeting Kim one morning changes that in momentous ways that Jas could never have imagined.

I adored the first Porth Ewan book and didn’t think I could love anyone more than I loved Brix and Calum, but Jas and Kim swept me away and dragged me into their relationship with their open hearts, vulnerability and the beauty of what they create together. I love love love reading these stories and cannot believe how well Garrett Leigh creates such characters that make you feel so much for them, root for them, and sigh happily when they reach their well deserved happily-ever-after. I’m fascinated by the hints we have of things in the future – Lena and the baby come to mind with that one – and can only say that alongside the Rebel Kings, these may well be my favourite characters by this writer.

Under Your Skin by Lee McCormick

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TITLE: ⟫ Under Your Skin

AUTHOR: ⟫ Lee McCormick

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ You’re the only one who can get under my skin.

Levi

Trapped in nightmares from my past, the only comfort I find is in gifts from the man who killed my mother’s killer—presents wrapped in a body bag and delivered to the morgue for me to examine.

From the first time I saw his mark, I knew I had to keep my Killer safe, had to keep his work a secret for me and me alone. Every body is a love letter, and I’m the only one who can read them.

Jonah

When I accidentally leave evidence behind during a kill, I have to go to the morgue to rectify my mistake. I didn’t expect to find a young mortician admiring my work.

Relishing in it. Studying it.

Covering it up.

I have no idea why someone would want to hide my crimes, but I’m determined to find out. What I discover is a man named Levi—a man obsessed with the idea of who he thinks I am.

A man who threatens to change my entire world.

~~~

Under Your Skin is a dark romance set in a world where a corrupt town lets a serial killer walk free, and a young mortician is determined to make sure it stays that way. Expect high heat, intense emotions, and two men who find their own way to define what love really means.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a dark and delicious insight into the mind of a serial killer and a traumatised young man that was just the right side of unhinged.

Levi survived a trauma that no one should ever have to go through at such a young age – not only the loss of both parents but actually seeing his mother die whilst trying to save him. It’s no wonder that his adopted father represents such safety and that the young man has a few quirks. What I didn’t expect was for Levi to be the character who came across as the darkest one – the way in which he views the bodies he works on daily, his obsession with his Killer, his coping mechanisms – Levi could definitely be viewed as a sick puppy.

Jonah initially came across as a more standard psychopath but he had hidden depths. The way he watches Levi and how he thinks of him – it was both hot and disturbing, and yet I very much felt that Jonah was completely under Levi’s spell in more ways than he had ever thought possible.

The links that brought them together were twisting and fascinating, as was the way they moved around each other. This could almost be classed as slow-burn as they manoeuvred around each other. Levi’s integral understanding of Jonah – the ways in which he made Jonah admit things, show Levi his allegiance and his unwillingness to be seen as a damsel in distress – they were all incredibly sexy even whilst they could be viewed as disturbing.

The underlying story about the town that they lived in – the corruption of the local government and police force was really interesting. Everyone turning a blind eye to the things going on was bizarre to watch as I’ve never seen this play out with even our main characters being involved in hiding the seedy underbelly. Of course, Levi had ulterior motives but it was fascinating nevertheless.

I loved the way these two worked together and how they came together – psychos in love is definitely my catnip! But the thrill and suspense didn’t end with just Levi and Jonah – the other characters in the book had so much going on. This felt like I dived head-first into a murky river and was trying to find my way out whilst also wanting to see what was under the surface.

This is the third (fourth?) book I’ve read by Lee McCormick and I am definitely putting them on my insta-read because it was just as good as others I’ve read whilst being completely different. Lots of surprises, oodles of sexiness and a satisfying conclusion made this an excellent read for the Bank Holiday weekend and I heartily recommend this to anyone who likes their romance on the dark side. I received an ARC from GRR.

Bromantic Puckboys by Eden Finley & Saxon James

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TITLE: ⟫ Bromantic Puckboy

AUTHOR: ⟫ Eden Finley & Saxon James

SERIES: ⟫ Puckboys Book #6

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Bilson

The idea of moving away from Seattle was a joke at first.

I have too many failed relationships here. Too much baggage.

So when I find myself signing with Nashville and leaving everything behind, I’m hopeful a new start will cure me of my attachment problems.

I fall fast and hard, and I’m quickly realizing it’s not so easy to escape my emotional damage. That follows no matter where I go.

When my new teammate, rookie goalie Miles Olsen, attaches himself to my side, the media are excited to exploit our bromance. Little do they know, he’s doing me a favor by keeping me away from making mistakes with women.

That’s the deal we made at the beginning of the season, but as time goes on, and we’re both going through a dry spell, Miles suggests a different arrangement. One I’ve never contemplated. One I shouldn’t consider.

One I can’t stop thinking about.

Miles

My first day as starting goalie for Tennessee is made mildly more terrifying by coming face to face with NHL veteran Cody Bilson. Hero worship? Me? Never!

He reminds me of my old frat buddies; loyal, kind, easy to trade banter with. But my dude is lost and trying to find himself again–without getting married this time.

I want to help him, and while my suggestion might not be conventional, it sure as hell is effective. The only way to make sure he doesn’t marry a woman again? Blow off steam with a man instead.

We’re both straight, we’re both single, and we’re both down for a good time.

After all, what are teammates for?

REVIEW: ⟫ This book was an absolute delight! Bilson isn’t just unlucky in love – he’s an absolute idiot about it, and he’s self aware enough to know that something has to change. Moving cities and teams, he decides he needs to work on himself and his abandonment issues but finds that it can be a lonely road he’s walking. Miles has finally stepped up to the big leagues – this is his chance to show what he can do in the goal and he’s determined to start things off on the right foot.

I adored both of these men for different reasons. Bilson because he’s putting in the work to figure himself out, despite how hard it’s proving to be. Moving cities to get away from his four exes and find himself is drastic but necessary, and I admire that about him. Miles is cocky, self assured, a little submissive, and more than a little eager to please. He’s the weird youngest kid who despite appearances to the contrary, isn’t sure of who he is or who he wants to be.

Put the two of them together and from the very beginning, the wise-cracks and banter take off and they never stop. It’s not even about an unconventional attraction – neither of them takes the time to think about just what it says about them that they are open to the idea of ‘helping each other out’.

Names and faces from the Queer Collective as well as Frat Wars appear aplenty, and life within the NHL as viewed through these eyes sounds like an absolute blast! We meet a few new people who I can only hope will feature in future books, but this is most definitely all about Bilson and Miles.

Their relationship is just so simple, even when it gets complicated, and I loved how in tune they were with each other, as well as their ability to be honest and open. From the very beginning, Bilson accepts all of Miles – whether it’s his rocks or Annette – and Miles gets Bilson in a way no one else ever has.

Really loved reading this and it made me want to re-read the rest of the Puckboys and maybe go back a little further to Frat Wars and beyond! An easy 5/5 from me.

Dead Serious Case #5: Madam Vivienne by Vawn Cassidy

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TITLE: ⟫ Dead Serious Case 5: Madam Vivienne

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #5

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ For one brief shining moment, the utter insanity that is Tristan Everett’s world makes sense.

He’s marrying the man he loves, has a dead drag queen for a bestie and is surrounded by an amazing found family. Okay, so his life isn’t exactly what you’d call normal. By day, he’s a quiet, mild-mannered forensic pathologist, but the rest of the time, he guides lost souls into the light. He’s also averted an apocalypse, stopped Chaos from coming through a magic door, and drunk tequila with Death.

It’s all a bit bonkers, but it’s his life… and he loves it.

He’s flying high but, like Icarus, it’s only a matter of time before he’s brought crashing down to earth with singed wings. The strange reality of his life intrudes once again when his friend, Madame Vivienne, is murdered, and it’s clear from the beginning that this is no ordinary killing.

Someone is using dark magic.

Viv’s soul has been bound, leaving her trapped and unable to communicate. Tristan, Danny, and their friends must uncover the truth and find the killer. But the deeper they delve into the old bookshop in Whitechapel, which has been in the Crawshanks family for generations, the darker and the more dangerous the secrets that begin to unravel.

And what they discover may just change their lives forever…

REVIEW: ⟫ Sick as a dog and in need of comfort, I picked up Case #5 Madame Vivienne and what a ride it was! Danny and Tristan are as in love as ever, and good job too because the time we have all been dreading has arrived – Tristan’s father has been ill from the time we met him and we knew it was coming. Vawn Cassidy even warns us at the beginning of the book, but nothing could have prepared me for how absolutely devastated I was when the time came. I was right by Tristan’s side as he raged against what had happened and what he wasn’t allowed – it was so incredibly cruel!

The Crawshanks history gets deeper and deeper as we are pulled into the past, decisions made to protect people and the bookshop which seems to be the centre of everything. It doesn’t even matter if you manage to guess some of the things that are happening – it in no way lessens the impact. There are so many revelations in this story that my mind is slightly blown, but I cannot wait for the next instalment of Dead Serious. Vawn Cassidy has really and truly blown me away with this instalment and I salute her. So much history, so much interweaved so carefully – it was masterful. Sorry, in case it isn’t obvious, I really loved this instalment and have already downloaded a freebie mentioned in the back pages.

Read it – you won’t regret it. But I warn you – make sure you have tissues.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Dead Serious: Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plum by Vawn Cassidy

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TITLE: ⟫ Dead Serious: Case #4 Professor Prometheus Plum

AUTHOR: ⟫ Vawn Cassidy

SERIES: ⟫ Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed #4

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Inspector Danny Hayes has something very important to ask his boyfriend Tristan Everett. Over the past six months they’ve survived reapers, chaos monsters, and biblical storms, not to mention averting an apocalypse. So, what’s left to do but pop the big question?

Tristan is ready for a break from world-saving, spectral crises, and most definitely from ghosts. He wants some one-on-one time with his boyfriend, preferably horizontally. So when the incredibly thoughtful aforementioned boyfriend books a romantic New Year’s getaway at a quiet little hotel in the wilds of the north Yorkshire moors and away from London, Tristan can’t wait.

But as usual nothing ever goes according to plan. Snowed in during an unexpected murder mystery weekend at what turns out to be one of the most haunted hotels in Northern England is not what they had in mind, but when one of the actors turns up really dead not just fake dead, they once again find themselves caught up in another investigation.

With only one night to figure out who the killer is while wrangling a multitude of overly helpful ghosts, Tristan begins to wonder if romance really is dead…

REVIEW: ⟫ It would be very easy for the romance between Tristan and Danny to take a backseat to a rip-roarer of a weekend where murder, family, extra marital affairs and ghosts are running riot, so it is a credit to Vawn Cassidy that that doesn’t happen.

Danny wants to propose to Tristan – has been planning it for some time – but can’t seem to find the right time. A weekend away where they can both relax after the extremely busy and challenging last few months seems like the perfect opportunity – now if only there wasn’t a murder, an affair, an insane amount of ghosts and a hotel on its’ last legs getting in the way.

I really loved the way that Tristan supported Danny as he faced up to various things from his past, and I was pleased with how went and was handled. Dusty is, as always, the absolute bomb and the interactions between her and Danny had me giggling at various stages. Once again, we have a murder and Tristan using his abilities to help solve the case. This time, other people get up close and personal with the ghosts and it was fascinating seeing their reactions, Danny in particular. At one point, Tristan notes that this is Danny’s first face-to-face conversation with a ghost and for some reason that really made me stop and pause. Up until now, Danny has taken Tristan at his word, not unduly questioned him or made him feel even stranger than he already does. But this represents an opportunity for Danny to see what it is like for Tristan all of the time and I really appreciated this touch.

This was an excellent follow-up to the previous books, with call-outs to characters from other books that were lovely little hints for regular readers to pick up on without being obnoxious for people only now discovering the author. I look forward to the next book – the ending definitely set things up to be completely fascinating and also more than a little bit darker.

This book was like watching a romantic comedy with a little drama/murder for added spice and I really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend.

I received an ARC.

The Royal Curse by Eliot Grayson (Twilight Mages Book #1)

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TITLE: ⟫ The Royal Curse

AUTHOR: ⟫ Eliot Grayson

SERIES: ⟫ Twilight Mages

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Dawn mage. Twilight mage. Cursed, useless, damaged, dangerous…

His birth magic leaves Prince Nikola with nothing but bad live as another man’s possession, subject to his whims and his desires, or remain dependent on a potion that stunts his powers and prevents him from knowing love. Andreas vows to protect the prince with his life—whether Nikola wants him to or not. After all, the queen pays his soldier’s wage. Nikola’s nothing but a job to do. But when they find themselves stranded, with Nikola’s potion running out, Andreas has to…improvise. Because what Prince Nikola needs to survive is the opposite of a lowly guard’s respectful protection. It should’ve been only one night. Just until the potion’s refilled. But now that Nikola’s had Andreas’s touch, he craves Andreas again and again. He shouldn’t. But he—and his magic—can’t live without it…

The Royal Curse is a high-heat MM fantasy romance with a stubborn prince, an even more stubborn soldier, and cursed magic that can’t be denied. There is an attempted on-page assault that is not between the main characters. HEA guaranteed.

REVIEW: ⟫ I need to start by saying that I am extremely happy that this is going to be a series because there needs to be so much more about Twilight Mages! Their magic is fascinating and I really enjoyed the descriptions included in the story.

This book is described as high heat and is well deserving of the notification – once Andreas and Nikola get going, they really get going! And I loved reading the two of them together – they were hot, sexy, caring and oh, so much fun! I enjoyed the back story regarding Niko’s trip and the reasoning behind it, and the subplot was entertaining even if just for seeing Andreas getting all possessive and violent over Niko.

This was a lovely addition to my Eliot Grayson library and I will happily re-read it in preparation for the next story – which, please, be out soon!

I received and ARC from GRR.

Best Served Cold by Willow Dixon (Crimson Club #3

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TITLE: ⟫ Best Served Cold

AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Dixon

SERIES: ⟫ Crimson Club #3

RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ When the guys at work dare me and the new guy to play a game of gay chicken, I figure I’ll get my first kiss and bragging rights for winning. What I don’t expect is for that game to awaken something in me. Something I’ve never felt before.

Something that makes me want more. Makes me want him.

I never back down from a challenge, but that doesn’t explain why being with Noah feels so good. Why I can’t stop thinking about him. Why he’s the only person who’s ever stirred even the slightest interest in me.

Why getting him off gets me off.

Watching Noah lose control is everything. So is knowing he can’t stay away from me, either.

Zane and Noah’s story is an animosity to lovers, double bi-awakening romance. You can expect public fun, tons of heat, lots of banter, and reluctant feels as these two impulsive and competitive guys realize that in some games, everyone’s a winner. It is the third book in the exciting new Crimson Club series but can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ I was expecting an every day, ho hum, enemies to lovers story but in Best Served Cold, we get so much more.

Zane and River have utterly fascinated me from the first time we met them – especially considering their act at the Crimson Club – so finding out about Zane’s lack of interest in dating, etc was a bit of a surprise. But a very good one. I really enjoyed the fact that his sexuality was just another topic of conversation amongst the friend group – no one tried to make him feel weird for not knowing certain things, or needing explanations/examples that worked for him. I also really enjoyed seeing more of the relationship between the twins (although River talking to Zane and Noah through the bedroom wall for some reason had me in absolute stitches!

Noah was a complicated character, and once we learned more of his back-story, my heart broke for him. Even with the distance he managed to gain from his abusive family, their words – and the words of the Pastor – had buried deeply into his psyche and made it so difficult for him to see that he was a good person, deserving of love and respect and friendship.

Once again, an excellent cast of characters in the background made this story multifaceted, and we caught up with some old friends during the course of the story but not in a way that precluded it being a standalone. Willow Dixon is rapidly becoming one of my auto-reads as I have always enjoyed reading her stories. I’m really pleased with this addition and cannot wait for River’s story.

I received an ARC from GRR.

The Deliverance of Marek Sommers by Ashlyn Drewek

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TITLE: ⟫ The Deliverance of Marek Sommers

AUTHOR: ⟫ Ashlyn Drewek

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

SERIES: ⟫ Spin-off from the Solnyshko Duet

BLURB: ⟫ Marek Sommers is everything Misha Chernyshevsky shouldn’t want—young, angry at the world, and, worst of all, a man. The fact Marek is dealing drugs for a competitor is the icing on the cake. None of that deters the Russian mafia boss, though.

From the moment he lays eyes on the surly bartender, Misha is captivated. Learning about Marek’s troubled past and fearing for his future, Misha is certain that Marek needs his help—whether he wants it or not.

Convincing Marek to trust him, however, proves to be a more formidable task than Misha anticipates. But if they have any chance of surviving the brutal world of the Russian mafia, Misha needs Marek to trust him before it’s too late.

THE DELIVERANCE OF MAREK SOMMERS is a slow-burn MM romance about a down-and-out bartender with a harrowing past and the Russian mafia boss determined to save him from it all. Violence and heartache make the tender moments that much sweeter, HEA guaranteed. It is intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list of triggers can be found in the front matter of the book and at my website under Tropes & Triggers.

This book can be read as a stand-alone. However, it is a spin-off from the Solnyshko Duet and contains spoilers for those books if you haven’t read them.

REVIEW: ⟫ The Solnyshko Duet was the first experience of Ashlyn Drewek so finding out that Misha who featured in that duet had his own story made this a no-brainer. And like that duet, this book did not disappoint.

It would easy to get dragged down into the hell that life appears to be for Marek Sommers – he’s doing everything he can to take care of his siblings and save them from his nightmare of a mother, and yet he can’’t seem to catch a break. Throw in an abusive ex-lover who is determined to get Marek back and it’s perfectly obvious why Marek doesn’t trust Misha and everything he’s offering. I absolutely adored how stoic and consistent Misha would – he made himself a constant presence in Marek’s life, always there to lend a hand, a place to stay – something Marek hasn’t experienced.

It was even more touching with the fact that Misha was risking his life in how he was handling things with Marek – there was little doubt made of the fact that Sergei would have expected Misha to be more blunt in his discussions with Marek. The further insights into the views of the old-fashioned Russian brigade with regard to homosexual relationships and what they meant about the men involved with them were fascinating, albeit wince-inducing.

I loved the characters, especially Misha’s bodyguards who were incredibly loyal to him I also really enjoyed the fact that the brutal aspects of Misha’s life were not brushed over – from him making love with Marek with a single-minded determination to make everything about him juxtaposed with him handing out justice to the people who deserved it was handled extremely well.

There was a cameo from the Wolf and I loved the interactions between him and Marek – they made me laugh, especially after Misha got shot! The children in the story were written as children, not mini-adults which can often be the case. The slow burn was just long enough to make the interactions between Marek and Misha sizzle just that little bit more, and it was extremely satisfying watching them building such a normal relationship. Even after the truth of what Misha has done to get information out of Marek there wasn’t a miscommunication – Marek knew enough about the world to accept what Misha had done and why, and even appreciate the avenues he chose not to take.

This is a brutal mobster love story, very engaging, with excellent relationship building and a satisfying ending and merely confirmed my love for Ashlyn Drewek’s skilful writing.

I received an ARC from GRR.

Unholy Trinity by Garrett Leigh (Rebel Kings #6)

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TITLE: ⟫ Unholy Trinity

AUTHOR: ⟫ Garrett Leigh

SERIES: ⟫ Rebel Kings #6

RATING: ⟫ /5

BLURB: ⟫ A full steam, page-turning Poly Romance. Why Choose one book boyfriend when you can have two? Satisfy your romantic cravings with this heart-pounding hurt/comfort love story.

The vice-president of the Rebel Kings MC.

The girl of his dreams.

And the six-foot-five firefighter-turned-bodyguard they can’t resist.

Nash

It’s three in the morning, and we’re in her bed. My body throbs from his mouth on me, my blood still whooshing in my ears.

I want to make him feel like this, so I can drown in it.

So I can drown in him.

Goddamn, I want to suffocate in every fibre of Locke Halliwell with the woman I love at my side.

He has me fragile already.

She has me in pieces at her feet.

And man alive, I wish that was all I had to worry about.

But this life. It’s vicious. It’s deadly. And if I can’t protect every soul I’ve ever loved from the past, the future is already in ashes at my feet.

Unholy Trinity is the sixth instalment in the bestselling Rebel Kings MC series. An MMF romance with strong MM romance content, hurt/comfort, angst, found family, forced proximity, single dad, and friends-to-lovers tropes.

Content warnings for everything you’d expect from a biker romance.

REVIEW: ⟫ Good Lord, this book! Talk about steamy! Unlike the rest of the series, this book is clearly a threesome from the very beginning, with both Orla and Nash making sure that Locke knows that this is not just for fun – this has Feelings with a capital F. The chemistry between the three of them is off the charts, with the physical side of things being a very clear merging of all of them rather than them just pairing off randomly.

The background knowledge provided on Nash and Orla – she having faced the threat of SA from an early age, he growing up with parents that thought being gay/bisexual was wrong – helped to explain why neither of the have acted on their feelings for Nash previously. However sex-positive they both might be, they have their own issues. Locke is a gigantic marshmallow wrapped in the body of a sex-God, with the mouth and experience to know how to man-handle someone and make them like it. He also has an extremely tragic backstory that just about broke my heart.

I knew I was in trouble when I was nearly 89% of the way through the book and the main ‘storyline’ had still not been resolved. What I was not expecting was that cliffhanger – I’m surprised Garrett Leigh didn’t hear my scream of outrage! I’m in two minds as to whether or not I wish I had waited until the second part of this one is out – I wasn’t aware that there was going to be a cliffhanger so that does explain some of my pain/sorrow/outrage.

This is yet another stunning story from Garrett Leigh and I highly recommend reading it. You definitely need to have read the rest of the Rebel Kings series because otherwise all of the names/partners/relationships could quickly get muddled. If you’re squeamish about heterosexual encounters in your MM literature, then this is NOT the book for you – the scenes involving Orla are just as explicit as those involving Nash and Locke (definitely here for the PAN/Bisexual representation), written beautifully and evocatively as always.

Now I just have to wait for the next instalment! I received an ARC from GRR.

Not Dating Material by Saxon James (Accidental Love #2)

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TITLE: ⟫ Not Dating Material (Accidental Love #2)

AUTHOR: ⟫ Saxon James

RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ MOLLY

Moving to Seattle is supposed to be all about getting a fresh start and leaving the bitter man I was becoming behind.

I have new room-mates–quirky, sometimes strange, room-mates–a nosy, next door neighbor and a grumpy kitty for company, but even surrounded by people, I still don’t feel like I belong. Plus, it turns out the men in Seattle are exactly the same as the ones I left behind, and my string of romantic disconnections continues.

It’s not until one of my room-mates, Seven, hits me with some hard truths that I realize where I was going wrong.

Maybe the men aren’t the problem.

I am.

And there’s only one way to fix that.

SEVEN

Being found tied up naked to my bed by my cute new room-mate isn’t an ideal way for us to start a friendship.

But apparently a quid-pro-quo is.

He keeps his pretty lips zipped about the compromising position, and I step in as his dating coach. We go out, I point out where he’s going wrong, and he magically becomes dating material.

The problem is, between my codependent brother Xander and a new best friend I can’t get rid of, Molly and I are the target of a matchmaking scheme. My life is way too busy to add another person to it, and Molly is the kinda guy who needs to be made a priority, which I just can’t do. Xander’s medical anxiety takes up too much of my time, and I’ve never found a partner who doesn’t resent it.

I’m determined to help Molly find his ever after.

But that guy will never be me.

REVIEWS: ⟫ I really wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Molly after his appearance in Ford and Orson’s story, but Saxon made me feel so bad for him that I forgave his rash behaviour. He’s moved all the way to Seattle to get a fresh start, and what a start – meeting the boys from Big Bertha is an eye opener in so many ways.

I enjoyed how vulnerable Saxon allowed Seven to be – he presented as this big, tough guy, covered in tattoos and intimidating until you got to learn more about him. Refusing to swear, his badly hidden inner marshmallow and just the way he was always there for any of the boys (and Aggie) made me fall in love with him.

I liked the way in which the subject of Seven’s no dating rule was brought up – he thought he was being upfront, honest and direct whereas throughout the book, we see that HE might not have thought he was dating people, but others were not quite so sure.

There was background angst, especially with regard to Xander and Seven, but it didn’t really filter through to the main story – it more formed a background thread that you were aware of but didn’t have to suffer through. I loved the dates that Seven and Molly had; loved the way that Seven helped Molly build his confidence; the relationship between Molly, Seven and Xander; and the return to Big Bertha.

One of my favourite parts was when Madden asked Rush how come, if he wasn’t aware of the no-sleeping with room-mates rules, then how come he hadn’t made a move on Madden – that made me laugh so hard, although what a knock to Madden’s ego! I’m looking forward to more in the Accidental Love verse, especially after Seven met Molly’s dad and his initial reaction – that too made me giggle, and I loved the ease with which the two verses intermingled.

This book kept me entertained and gave me a HEA I could sigh happily about after reading and I can’t ask for more than that!