Just For Christmas by Crea Reitan (Longwood University Book #4)

TITLE: ⟫ Just For Christmas
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Longwood University Book #4
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ It’s only temporary holiday magic

Brent

Life has taught me not to get attached to anyone because they’ll only let you down but I can’t stop myself from falling in love with my roommate and frat brother the moment we meet. It’s been three years and not only do I secretly pine for him, but now he’s also my very best friend. My first real friend.

Nothing can possibly go wrong when I agree to be his fake boyfriend for the holidays, right? I know I’m putting my heart on the line but it’ll just be a bit of hand-holding. My heart can survive that…

Rafe

I know my mother will get off my back about settling down if I bring home a partner so I recruit my best friend into becoming my fake boyfriend. It’ll be fun, easy, and a great holiday without all the subtle hints from my parents.

One kiss under the mistletoe changes everything and the childhood make believe suddenly morphs into so much more. There’s only one problem – this arrangement is only for Christmas and then we’re back to being only friends when we return to school.

I didn’t plan to fall in love with Brent Mitchell… I don’t know what to do now that he’s acting like I don’t exist.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was sweet and hot but also a little frustrating. I loved seeing the boys’ inner dialogue but I admit that part of me wanted to smack both of them to get them to just talk!

Project FU by Crea Reitan (Longwood University Book #3)

TITLE: ⟫ Project FU
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Longwood University Book #3
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ When you fall in love with the wrong Davenport…

Nolan

I’ve spent my college career editing adult videos but never has one hit me as hard as seeing my girlfriend of sixteen months with the football team. Needless to say, I’m devastated. I need to hurt her like she’s hurt me. My friends dub this mission Project: FU.

A series of bad decisions lands me in bed with the worst one yet.

Tavis

The man my daughter broke is sitting at the bar looking beaten. When I look into his eyes, I feel something I haven’t felt in more than two decades. For just one night, I decide to make this man mine and erase the heartache I see in him.

But one night is not enough and shit is about to hit the fan.

REVIEW: ⟫ Okay, this did not begin the way I expected it to and the addition of the brothers was a head-spin! I liked how Nolan struggled with the idea of revenge – he wanted justice but he was too good of a guy to treat innocent bystanders that badly, although what he did blew my mind. I really didn’t expect Tavis to react the way that he did and was pleasantly surprised. The storyline was entertaining, especially with the way the break-up between Tavis and Rachel was handled. I did read the taboo follow-up and can understand why it wasn’t included as part of this one. I would describe this as HFN because of what happens afterwards, although if you didn’t want to read the taboo side of things, I think most people would be happy with how this ended.

Wicked Confessions by Crea Reitan (Longwood University #2)

TITLE: ⟫ Wicked Confessions
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Longwood University Book #2
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ What started as a job has led to some frightening confessions.

Edin

One mistake can ruin your life. I learned that at fifteen when my hormones got the best of me and I was landed with an unwanted pregnancy. My parents decided to punish me and forced me out of the sport I love to raise my child and provide for my newly forced-upon-us-both marriage.

One mistake can cost a life. My life. If not for my best friend who rescued me and my daughter, I’d have ended it all.

It’s been three years and all I want is to embrace this new lease I have on life – my daughter, school, and hockey.

One mistake can change your life. When an “adult” job leads to some complications, I realize that maybe I didn’t build my walls high enough to keep everyone out.

Elijah

My obsession started through a screen as I edited the videos my fraternity’s basement project Confessions produces. His name is Edin and I’m enthralled. While I don’t participate in shoots often, I make an exception.

Edin is everything – beautiful, mysterious, needy. He’s also very clearly broken. The very first time we’re together on screen, he breaks down after the shoot and I hold him for what feels like days as he trembles.

He refuses to let me into his life, no matter how many times I partner with him or run into him completely coincidentally. That is, until he has a hockey accident that leaves him bed-ridden and he needs help with his daughter.

REVIEW: ⟫ This one was pretty gut-wrenching. Having read Dak and Sparrow’s story, I knew who Edin was and wondered what happened. And it was just as awful as I thought – I was in tears listening to some of Edin’s thoughts about the situation he was in because of circumstances and his parents. The only bright light was Mo – even sex was fraught with difficulty, hence him working for a gay porn company – no chance of a second accidental pregnancy there! Elijah absolutely fascinated me – as did his brother Zeke and their relationship – he was just so ready to be there for Edin in whatever way he needed. The sex scenes were hot but it was actually the after-care and cuddling that really worked for me. I enjoyed watching the two of them fall in love, especially since Edin slowly opened up and began to accept happiness. A worthy addition to the Longwood University series that I enjoyed reading and appreciated the nuance and sensitivity.

Rumor Has It by Crea Reitan (Longwood University Book #1)

TITLE: ⟫ Rumor Has It
AUTHOR: ⟫ Crea Reitan

SERIES: ⟫ Longwood University Book #1
RATING: ⟫ 4/5

BLURB: ⟫ The shiver of something new

Dak

I don’t know what it is about this man that has captivated me like no one else. It’s made me question everything I think I know about myself. But that’s fine – I’ll obsess from afar until I graduate and move on with my life.

Then I’m handed an exclusive invitation to Rumor, the frat’s ‘gay chicken’ club that performs in front of a camera. The one who doesn’t back out first wins cash. Thinking maybe I can clear up this curiosity once and for all if I try my hand at dick, I go.

Imagine my surprise when the man I’m paired with is none other than the one guy that’s caught my attention. My only problem is the cameras freak me out and I know one of these times when I run, it’ll be the last time I see him.

Sparrow

Rumor is a game for straight men to use whatever excuse they can come up with to get acquainted with a dick not their own. I’m the unbeatable – a fan favorite. But I have a secret – I’m already gayer than a pink unicorn wearing a tutu. Still, I get invited back time and time again.

It’s all business until the most beautiful brown eyes look at me and the sexiest body is pressed against mine. However, this fucking man keeps running away. Thankfully, I’m able to give him private lessons in fucking a man, something I’m all to happy to oblige.

But Dak is more than just a good time. He’s a threat to everything I think I know, forcing me to acknowledge that maybe there’s something deeper between us.

Rumor has it all it takes is a single person to turn your life upside down. I think I just met that person and I’m not sure which way is up or if I’m going to crash and burn before I find the surface.

***

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

REVIEW: ⟫ This was a fascinating read. I really appreciated the mature approach that Sparrow took to the situation with Dak – it would have far too easy for him to get angry or reject Dak but instead he showed such patience and understanding. I enjoyed the background characters and the progression of their relationship as they figured out what they meant to each other and did what they could to make things happen. Communication was emphasised over and over again which I really did like – Sparrow was determined not to fall into emotional traps and insisted that they talk and this was so refreshing. Even better when Dak called him out on something and he not only admitted fault but apologised. I don’t think I’ve read a lot of stories by this author but I’m making my way through their back catalogue and this book is the main reason for that!