Tag Archives: romance

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

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

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

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

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

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

Perfect for readers who love:

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

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

Single POV (omega) • 20K words

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

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

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

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

The Beast’s Broken Angel by Greyson Vale

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I received an ARC from Booksprout.

His Mate by Allegiance by Mel Aitches

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TITLE: ⟫ His Mate By Allegiance
AUTHOR: ⟫ Mel Aitchess

SERIES: ⟫ Lunetti Pack #3
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ M M mafia shifter PNR with a bite (and a knot).

Rocco is being punished and he doesn’t like it. He probably shouldn’t have stalked the police chief’s son, but he’d been bored and no one ever should’ve noticed. His powers as an air witch skilled in illusion are too valuable for the Elemental Mayhem MC to let him go, so they’ve forced him into this sham of a wedding. They’re lucky the wolf shifter is so hot or he’d never go along with it. All bets are off once he can prove he was betrayed.

Emilio spent the last fifteen years away from New Trinity City refining his crafts—street art and assassination—but he’s still loyal to the Lunetti Pack. Unlike his traitor father. He’d do anything for his Alpha. Even marry a witch he’s never met. Coming home for his arranged marriage is the perfect excuse to hunt the source of the dangerous weapons entering the city. He has every intention of being a widower within a year, until he realises his fiancé is his fated mate. How is he supposed to arrange an unfortunate accident for his husband with his wolf whining about forever in his ear?

His Mate By Allegiance is an MM mafia shifter paranormal romance. It features arranged marriage, fated mates, shadow hands, and other paranormal play, including knotting. There is no mpreg in this world.

REVIEW: ⟫ Rocco and Emmy were absolutely amazing together – they are both possessive and stalkerish, keeping themselves away from their pack and MC because of things in the past. The story was fast paced and interesting, with the MC and Pack having to work together against the threat of outsiders wanting to destabilise the area.

With this going on in the background, Rocco and Emmy managed to have an unusual courtship, with lots of banter, sexual tension and deep feelings developing. I loved the descriptions of Emmy’s art; I thought Rocco’s family was so funny and sweet, and I really enjoyed visiting with all of these characters again. Very pleased I read this and looking forward to the next in the series. I received an ARC from BookSirens.

Stubborn Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

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

SERIES: ⟫ Puckboys #9
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Colby

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

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

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

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

Video coach. Pro level. The only downside?

It’s for Novi’s team.

Novi

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

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

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

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

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

Now two years feels like a lifetime.

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

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

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

I received an ARC from Foreword PR.

The Allure of Ruins by Mary Calmes

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The Allure of Ruins – Mary Calmes

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 2025 ⟫ Book Reviews Round Up

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book reviews header 0525

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 May 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.

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

Himbo Hitman by Saxon James

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TITLE: ⟫ Himbo Hitman
AUTHOR: ⟫ Saxon James
RATING: ⟫ DNF

BLURB: ⟫ What do you do when you’re a hitman … who’s terrible at his job?

At first, I thought it would be an easy payday. A few pew pews for bad people, a couple of suitcases of cash for me. People have done worse for an honest living. Probably.

The problem is that after a couple jobs, I’ve never actually managed to unalive someone, and not for lack of trying. Apparently, a basic requirement of a hitman is being a good shot.

Despite my constant duck-ups–that my boss knows nothing about–I’m given another name, and I very nearly follow through. Only after obliterating this guy’s ear, and his fervent pleading to spare him, I’ve sent him into hiding and collected the cash anyway.

But wanted people are hard to hide, and bad guys don’t like paying big money for loose ends.

Now that Van Gogh has shown his face again—sans ear—I’ve scammed my way into his security team, which is sort of ideal since I’m now highly wanted as well.

Unfortunately, we have some “trust issues” to “work through” from our meet-shoot, and with the gorgeous bastard’s brother missing, he refuses to lay low until they’re reunited.

I’m not sold on the plan honestly, but this guy has me questioning my sexuality along with my career path, and I’m at the point where I’m determined to see a job through to the end.

Or die trying.

But hey, at least then I’d finally deliver a body.


REVIEW: ⟫ I don’t think I’ve ever not finished a book by Saxon James, and for it to be an ARC as well makes it even more unlikely. I don’t know if it’s because of recent ill health, a lack of connection with the characters or just a need for something different, but no matter how much I have tried to finish this one, I have failed. I don’t take it lightly that I was given an ARC and can only hope that I will be back on form sooner rather than later. My thanks to Foreword PR for the ARC I received and hopefully, better luck next time!

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

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TITLE: ⟫ No Pucks
AUTHOR: ⟫ J.R. Gray

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TITLE: ⟫ Fey Sovereignty
AUTHOR: ⟫ S.Rodman

SERIES: ⟫ Fey Lords #4
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

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

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

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

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

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

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

But I’m learning things I never expected.

Such as Llywelyn being not at all what he seems.

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

He has terrible screaming nightmares about someone called Iestyn.

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

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

And being a prince doesn’t save you.

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

Happily ever after is guaranteed.

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

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

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

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

Off Limits by Willow Dixon (Legacy Mechanics #4)

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TITLE: ⟫ Off Limits
AUTHOR: ⟫ Willow Dixon

SERIES: ⟫ Legacy Mechanics #4
RATING: ⟫ 4.5/5

BLURB: ⟫ Asa

For eight years I’ve lived in the shadow of my golden child stepbrother. Dex is everything our parents want in a son, and I’m the weirdo who can’t seem to get his life together.

After getting renovicted from my apartment, I’m forced to ask Dex for help. He agrees to let me stay with him while I find a new place, but neither of us is happy about it. Then I accidentally discover that my perfect stepbrother has an online side gig, and I learn how lucrative it can be.

Working together is supposed to be a way to make some extra cash, but it’s impossible to keep things in the business zone when I start to realize that maybe Dex is just as misunderstood and lonely as me.

Dex
The only downside to moving home after college is that I can’t avoid my stepbrother anymore. Asa is one of the most aggravating people I’ve ever met, and he’s spent the last eight years letting me know exactly what he thinks of me.

After agreeing to let him stay with me so he doesn’t end up homeless, he accidentally finds out about my online job. No one else knows my secret, but instead of using it against me, he suggests we work together as a solution to his money problems and my desire to get him out of my apartment as quickly as possible.

I already know this is going to be messy, but I’m not prepared for how difficult it is to keep our arrangement impersonal. And the more I learn about my closed-off stepbrother, the more I realize that maybe we aren’t so different after all.

Asa and Dex’s story is an opposites attract stepbrother romance between a jock and a nerd who can’t keep things in the business zone. You can expect dislike to friends to lovers, hurt/comfort, found family, online spicy times, reluctant roommates, some snark, lots of heat, and all the feels as these two men realize that sometimes the person you need is someone you shouldn’t want. It is book 4 in my Legacy Mechanics series but can be read as a standalone.

REVIEW: ⟫ This book was so much more than I expected and I really, really enjoyed it. Asa is demisexual (or seems to be) and his only experience has been with the one-off with his stepbrother four years ago. His parents don’t care, his mother and stepfather use him as a babysitter and errand boy, and he absolutely detests his perfect stepbrother. Until he’s in a real bind and Dex comes through for him.

Dex gives the appearance of having everything, but it’s only now that he’s finished college and is living alone that he is becoming his true, authentic self. He can’t see his stepbrother made homeless, so allows Asa to move in without considering the consequences. When Asa catches him camming accidentally, it opens the way for the two of them to rediscover who the other is, realise that the hatred they felt for each other when they were younger was a result of the situation, and also realise that the one person meant for them might just be right in front of their eyes.

The camming was hot but it was actually the way that these two communicated, tried so hard for each other and how they became each other’s safe haven that really made this book for me. I quite possibly enjoyed this the most of the legacy mechanics series and I am looking forward to the author’s Silvercrest U series that they are currently working on

I received an ARC from Foreword PR.