I discovered the Dark Witch Academy series late in 2023, gobbled up all three existing books in less than three days and have been waiting with baitedI discovered the Dark Witch Academy series late in 2023, gobbled up all three existing books in less than three days and have been waiting with baited breath ever since for the fourth book. I got myself a spot early on for the ARC team because I knew I wanted to read Gemini Wicked as soon as it was ready. It didn’t disappoint!
This installment picks up as Zara and her court (as it exists) head to her birthday celebration on a superyacht moored in the harbor outside the academy. The opening chapters of this book are tense and full of action, because of course they are. Nothing ever goes according to plan when a crown is up for grabs in a fantasy novel! (Plus, that’s kind of the major plot arc for the entire series, so we’d be without a story without a precipitating event, right?)
This disaster of a birthday celebration is only the start of a raucous set of events that stand between Zara and the crown. The pace of this book is fast, interspersed with action, lots of spice, and intimate conversations.
One of the things I love most about Laura’s Navarre’s writing in this series is her inner narrative for Zara. Most of the time I can’t stand first-person POV that breaks the fourth wall and has an extreme amount of slang. Somehow it just really works for me in these books. It fits the character, somehow. I can’t imagine Zara Gemini without her charming, cheeky inner voice.
Oh, and if you love breeding kink? Trust me, you’re not going to want to miss out. All of the Dark Witch Academy books are spicy af, but Gemini Wicked takes spicy af and adds a hefty dose of breeding kink on top for maximum effort. It’s giving ghost pepper levels of spice and I'm here for it.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
(Please Note: This story is connected to Olivia Lewin’s other PoisonVerse novel, Pack of Lies, via that book’s character Marlowe. This book is about M(Please Note: This story is connected to Olivia Lewin’s other PoisonVerse novel, Pack of Lies, via that book’s character Marlowe. This book is about Marlowe’s older alpha sister, Leighton and the pack Marlowe left behind.)
First of all, y’all should know I’m a huge fan of all the PoisonVerse novels. I’ve read them all. They’re all on my wishlist to own as paperbacks. So I was happy to come across a post where Olivia Lewin had some copies of her ARCs up for grabs. I know I already have ARCs to review, but it turned out to be great timing, because I wasn’t feeling so good yesterday and when I’m not feeling good all I want to read is spicy books anyway. So I took the time to read this a couple of days ahead of schedule and finished it up just this morning. I have to say that I liked it better than I did Pack of Lies, and that’s all due to a little someone called Kiara.
Kiara is the desperate, almost-feral omega at the center of the conflict in Lonely Alpha. Kiara isn’t gold pack like most of the omegas at the center of the conflicts in the other PoisonVerse novels. No, Kiara is actually just about omega royalty: well-bred and raised in luxury to be the best omega she can be for whatever pack her father decides to marry her off to. Too bad she was raised by nannies, her father was cruel, and her beta brother was even worse. One night, on the advice of [spoiler] she gets away from her cruel brother by grabbing a jeweled dagger and attacking him and fleeing to the home of professional corporate fixer, Leighton Winston, and begging Leighton to dark bond her.
This is the first of the PoisonVerse novels I’ve ever read to employ a dark bond. Honestly, I was wondering if they (the collective authors who have written books in this universe) were ever going to deploy it as an actual bond device or if they were going to let it always simmer around the edges as a constant, looming threat to all omegas instead of trying to turn it on its head and try to show it being something an omega could actually want, need, or desire. I’m glad Olivia Lewin (who does tend to delve into the darker side of omegaverse) decided to be the one to finally approach the dark bond, because she did a wonderful job of showing not only why an omega might want or need one, but also how an omega could ultimately feel better protected and more comfortable in their skin having a dark bond after living a certain kind of traumatic life. It also showed how it takes a very certain type of alpha to both accept an omega’s desire to willingly be dark bonded, to tend to and nurture both the omega and the bond, and to treat both with the utmost respect, because ultimately what the dark bond equates to is a 24/7 M/s power dynamic in our world that’s then been turned into a paranormal link in their world. Just as in our world there are bad Masters, in their world there are bad Alphas. But not every Alpha needs to be bad. Ergo, not every dark bond needs to be bad. But, just as in real life, communication and instinct are key in such a relationship. In an omegaverse book, the bond takes up some of the slack of communication and instinct, but not all. That’s a shortcut.
I do truly love Kiara. I love how her dagger is her first friend and her “emotional support dagger”. I love myself a stabbity omega. I love how she’s a spitfire and will choose violence if she can. I actually love the whole pack. I even love some of the supporting cast like Liberty and Soren (I just can’t with him).
A problem I do have is how it seems that the men of the Loranger pack (Dash, Ambrose, Mercury) can’t seem to pull themselves together until Leighton and Kiara start making bridges for them. They’re all falling apart until two shiny female toys are placed in front of them and then all of a sudden it’s like, “Oh! We can all of a sudden start to heal all of our broken pieces now!” I’m not fond of men who can’t communicate with other men they’re supposed to be as close as brothers with (or lovers with). Women aren’t magical, fix-all cures. Women don’t put band-aids on men’s boo-boos. Men need to be emotionally intelligent all on their own. It’s a tired trope.
Otherwise, it’s a really great read, and I highly recommend it. The spice is right, it’s very propulsive, it’s a page-turner, and I got very invested in the characters. And, like I said: I love a stabbity omega.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
It’s a little bit non-royal Mia Thermopolis is mistakenly chosen to compete on The Bachelor (but make it three super hot men), and a whole lot of fun It’s a little bit non-royal Mia Thermopolis is mistakenly chosen to compete on The Bachelor (but make it three super hot men), and a whole lot of fun and spice. Welcome to the Royal Trials, where one omega is chosen from each country that chooses to participate in sending a representative to potentially become the mate of the Royal Pack and eventually becoming Queen or King Consort.
Can I just say that I’m currently loving the current trend I’m seeing in the reality show approach to some omegaverse romances? Because I really am. Omegaverse romances are already a huge source of escapism for me, but adding in these made-up reality shows to a paranormal and fantastical genre not only adds a satirical kick but also allows for more variety in plot and some added facets of angst, comedy, and anger.
I loved this installment of the Knot Their Omega series almost purely for the sheer fairy tale feel of the whole thing. Kaz, Wolf, and Tai were all clearly drawn, which I appreciated, since some authors don’t take the time to make sure their MMCs are as distinctive and unique in personality and interests as they are in looks. I have a definite soft spot for Wolf, that’s for sure. I loved the relationship shared by the three men, the respect they had for one another, and the way they felt so deeply for one another and expressed it so eagerly. I loved how Maddie managed to get her feet under her and made brave choices, even if she knew they would hurt. She was honest with the people around her and with herself.
The spice is not lacking, people. It’s here, it’s polyamorous, it’s spicy, it’s swords-crossing as much as it can get away with, and it’s hot. I am here for it. I will always be here for it.
The only bone I really have to pick is how quickly some minds were changed around at the end and how rushed it seemed. I may be the only one that feels that way, though. Otherwise, it was a great book. Smashed it.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All opinions, thoughts, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
The usual caveat when it comes to reviewing indie, spicy romance novels versus the vast majority of other books applies here: I do not apply the same set of criteria to reviewing these types of books like I do the others. When reviewing spicy romance novels written by independent authors I review almost solely on my enjoyment level of the book.
I kind of plow through my way through omegaverse novels. You could say I’m a fan. Often I read them as soon as they come out and then just give them a star rating on GoodReads and move onto devouring another book, especially if I’m on an omegaverse binge. But I was given an opportunity to review this book by an author who’s new to me, so I snapped up the chance as soon as I could.
Immediately, I like the introduction to our FMC, an omega trying her hardest to hide her true nature and pretend to be a beta for quite a few good reasons (in her opinion, which is the only opinion that matters), and even though this isn’t a new plot set-up, I was impressed with Lawson’s take on the set-up and on how she wrote Riley, the FMC. Riley isn’t in a good place physically, mentally, or emotionally, but she loves her job and her independence. She’s lonely, but she’s resigned.
All it takes is one absent minded mistake, though, and Riley gets herself in some hot water and a conscientious alpha gets her out of an altercation with the authorities that could’ve ended far worse than it did. Said interaction, due to the overly patriarchal rules that permeate omegaverse novels, leads to the alpha who saved her from the cops having to take legal custody of her.
The romantic story arc between Riley and the pack who takes legal responsibility for her unfolds much like most omegaverse novels, with a good amount of sword crossing for all us thirsty readers who are into that. But what actually elevates this omegaverse novel for me is Riley, her trauma, her insecurities, her vulnerabilities, and how she differs in a significant way from typical omegas. (Being more specific would result in ye olde spoilers). Lawson must have had to do a lot of research to create Riley, as well as the characters of Thane (the alpha of her pack), and Thane’s parents so the plot could fully come together. I admire when authors do their leg work like this, bringing something that sounds so close to what women in real life might experience so the target audience might identify more with the FMC and also bringing a FMC to the pages with such a strong vulnerability.
I do think the ending was rushed a bit. In the second act there seemed to be some material that could’ve been moved around, combined, or excised in order to allow more room to breathe in the third act, but it’s not such a glaring error that I think it will turn away readers. It’s really a great omegaverse book that should garner a lot of attention. I hope it does.
I received a complimentary copy of this title from Courtney Dunham PA Services and the author. All views and opinions expressed herein are my own.
I knew when I read the previous book in this universe (don’t worry, both books can be read as standalones and you won’t miss a single thing), We Are WI knew when I read the previous book in this universe (don’t worry, both books can be read as standalones and you won’t miss a single thing), We Are Worthy, that I would want to read any other book Alisha Williams wrote that was set in the same universe. So, when We Are Destiny was announced, I signed up to read, review, and promote that book right away.
This book hit two huge omegaverse sweet spots for me: omega on omega action, and alpha on alpha action. It’s all well and good to read your standard omegaverse novel where it’s all just alpha(s) on omega action, but to be honest, I’ve really gotten tired of them. They’ve started to bore me in the same way that about 75% of heterosexual contemporary romances have, which is why I don’t usually read m/f contemporary romance unless it’s highly recommended to me by people I trust to make good recommendations. With omegaverse, I now see the standard alpha(s) x omega and I’m already pretty bored. I end up returning them to KU usually before the 20% point because I just need more from my omegaverse novels now. And mixing things up or adding up the kink and/or spice factor is a spectacular way to grab my attention and keep me reading.
While I loved We Are Worthy because of its unconventional yet BAMF FMC who was more into who her potential pack members were inside rather than what muscles they had on the outside, I loved We Are Destiny because of the two omegas in the book: our MMC, Spencer, and the feisty little omega Everlee, who is barely-controlled chaos with devious plans in mind that are meant to make everyone happy. The two together are so sweet and cuter than a pair of kittens who have just discovered their toe beans.
Also, bravo to Williams for tackling the struggles that come with depression and anxiety and the unhealthy coping mechanisms one might use in the dark times when it seems you’ve lost everything and don’t know if you’re ever going to come out of the dark pit you’ve found yourself in. As someone who has a panic disorder and an anxiety disorder (let’s not talk about the bipolar), I felt those scenes were written rather well and handled with appropriate care instead of exploitatively. While Spencer’s anxiety and depression are intrinsic to the plot, Williams did take care to not make Spencer all about his depression and anxiety, instead opting as often as possible to show as many different facets of Spencer as possible.
Now, we all know we don’t read omegaverse for plot. We read it for fun and for spice. You don’t have anything to worry about on that front. There is a lot of spice in this book, and the pairings are in every formation possible. It’s all hot, and it’ll make you squirm real good. Not only that, but you get a lot of sweet and soft intimate moments, which is always nice.
All in all, it’s another winner from Alisha Williams in this omegaverse universe. It’s a great book available on Kindle Unlimited and you should definitely check it out if you like your omegaverse novels spicy, diverse, and versatile.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All opinions, thoughts, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
Okay, okay. I’m a sucker for certain tropes. I’m totally going to admit it. That’s totally the reason I snapped this book upReal Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
Okay, okay. I’m a sucker for certain tropes. I’m totally going to admit it. That’s totally the reason I snapped this book up.
It’s dark!
Our FMC has gone through some deep, dark stuff!
It takes place at a Catholic boarding school!
It’s bully RH with mm content and a little bit of ff!
Oh, a little professor/student cum priest/penitent action?
Oh, and it’s got a secret society twist?
Well, heck. Count me in, sugar. All of that is like catnip to me.
I gotta tell you: It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t bad, either!
It’s got some obvious flaws in copy editing and proofreading, and the writing is a bit immature. There are some jumps between scenes that don’t make a lot of sense or leave plot holes. These mistakes aren’t things that can’t be fixed with time and experience by the authors. Both Amber Nicole and Jenn Bullard have room to grow in their writing when it comes to this series and I’m sure they’ll come back in the second book with the notes in hand from the reviewers of this installment and it’ll make editing the second installment that much easier and the read will be that much smoother. I’m a big believer in growth.
The bones of the story are good. The tropes and fun stuff this book is framed around are sound and have the makings of being an excellent series. The characters have the outline of being fantastic characters. Therein lies the issue: It’s all potential unrealized. Everything about this book has the potential to be great, but this book reads like the rough draft of what will eventually be a fantastic book once everything is fully fleshed out and realized.
Some proofreading, copy editing, and content editing would smooth out the continuity, spelling errors, grammar issues, and plot holes. The authors spending some more time with their characters, fleshing them out and bringing them from mere outlines to full realization, would definitely make this book among some of the more excellent novels in this genre.
What's great is even with the deficits this first installment has, I still enjoyed the read for what it was. It’s still a story that intrigues me and I enjoyed reading simply for what it was. It simply could’ve been much better.
I was provided with a copy of this title by the authors and Peachy Keen AS. All opinions and views expressed in this review are my own. Thank you.
File Under: Alphabet Soup Romances/Polyamorous Romances/Contemporary Romance/Dark Romance/Gothic/LGBTQ Romance/Romance Series/Read at Your Own Risk Romance/RH Romance/Why Choose Romance/Spice Level 3/Secret Society/High School or Boarding School...more
I have been with this series since book one and haven’t regretted one page of it. Sinclair Kelly is one of my favorite omegaverse writers, and this inI have been with this series since book one and haven’t regretted one page of it. Sinclair Kelly is one of my favorite omegaverse writers, and this interconnected omegaverse series has become one of my favorite things to read, review, and promote over the past year or so.
I have such a thing for BAMF omegas, and wouldn’t you know this book stars one of the best I’ve ever seen in Reese, who is a FBI SAC for their Undercover Narcotics Unit. She’s spent almost the entire time since she first perfumed suppressing her omega nature and urges and living as a beta in order to become one of the FBI’s most highly-decorated and talented agents. But once a job goes a little bit awry and she needs to take some down time so the aftermath can be cleaned up she finds herself in the same town as Bexley and Arden (our omegas from the first two books in this series), their packs, and the pack that is headed up by her father’s gorgeous silver fox best friend (who just happens to also be the town sheriff), a man she offered herself to when she was 18 and was rejected.
This book isn’t as good as the first installment of this series and isn’t as spicy as the second book, but it sure hits a lot of my buttons: age-gap, dirty talk, and some mm action being among those buttons. I greatly enjoyed the plot and the characters, as well.
The sole complaint I have about this book is how rushed it read to me. I know I often complain about books being too long, but in my opinion this book was too short and the story suffered for it. The relationship developments suffered for it. Reese’s evolution and character development suffered for it. And the ending? That was rushed too.
I do have a complaint that is applicable to other books but I saw in this book too: multiple epilogues. This was cute the first couple of times I saw it, but I really am sick of it now. Please, authors, do away with the multiple epilogues.
I was provided access to this title by the author. All views and opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you.
In this installment of author Lunn Burke’s Missing Link series we get to meet the masterminds of the Missing Link app, Ashton and Rhett, and the genesIn this installment of author Lunn Burke’s Missing Link series we get to meet the masterminds of the Missing Link app, Ashton and Rhett, and the genesis for the app’s development is also revealed (surprisingly, it’s not just because some dude bros wanted to get their poly freak on (kidding!)). We also get an introduction to the character who will possibly be the main character of the next ML novel, and we get to see Sinful Natures alum and star of the first ML novel, Haley, in a super cute cameo appearance.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but I had a completely different reaction to the second installment. As you can see from my rating here, I had a mixed reaction to this entry.
What you never have to worry about with a Lynn Burke book is the quality of writing. Lynn is a solid writer all around. She not only comes up with great settings and has excellent world building skills, but she also never skimps on exceedingly hot spicy scenes, swoon-worthy romantic scenes, witty banter, and thoughtful narrative.
If you’ve liked the first two books in this series then this book won’t disappoint you. The characters are unique and each has something to offer to the reader, which is always something I love from an author. I recommend picking it up for sure, even if I had my own mixed reactions.
I was provided access to this title by the author. All views and opinions expressed here are my own.
Well, the steam is coming off the pages in this new book from A. J. Merlin. I mean, I knew I was going to read it as soon as I knew it involved camminWell, the steam is coming off the pages in this new book from A. J. Merlin. I mean, I knew I was going to read it as soon as I knew it involved camming (one of my favorite tropes and real-life turn-ons), but then you add in this pretty little thing falling in with two men who are utterly obsessed with her and the promise of a plot that’s looking more dark and complicated than what the short blurb is alluding to? Aw, come on. You might as well have told me you had a whole pen full of piglets for me to play with if I’d just follow you!
Blair just needs to earn some money, but doesn’t want to work in another restaurant or coffee shop while she’s trying to take a heavy course load before she hits her senior year and has to work on her thesis. Shortly before her semester starts, she comes across a cam site she’s surfed before and watches a user that tempts her and causes her to feel things she hasn’t felt before and she wonders if she could do that. Could she put on a mask and make just about the same amount of money per month as she would at a part-time job without having to work as many hours and on her own schedule?
It turns out she can, and she quickly gains two fervent followers who tip well to keep her from having to do the lascivious things other tippers try to get her to do on screen. At the same time, she’s taking a photography class with a guy she has a crush on who doesn’t even need to take the class but is anyway and seems to have the strangest dynamic with their professor. She feels this tension between them, and she feels a push-pull within herself between the sweet and playful Oliver and her icy, stern professor. There’s just something about them both that she wants, but what it is yet she doesn’t know. What she does know, though, is that there’s just something a little off with both of them and it should send her running…but she just can’t bring herself to do it.
I don’t want to spoil most other aspects of the plot, because that would ruin so much of the fun of the book for you. There are some great surprises in store for you, both in the erotic sense and in the plot sense. I love how Merlin can manage to write a great deal of romantic suspense and psychological fiction into these dark romances. It’s not all physical violence–it’s a whole lot of mind games and I’m here for it.
The book is the first in a series, but thankfully it ends on a natural break in the storyline and not on an abrupt, torturous cliffhanger. There is an important question asked near the end that is meant for Blair to contemplate between this book and the next, but it’s no emergency. There’s no rush. The only ones who’ll be in a rush are us readers, who’ll be begging nonstop for the next installment.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. All views and opinions expressed in this review are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Contemporary Romance/College Romance/Alphabet Soup Romance/MMF Romance/Dark Romance/Forbidden Romance/LGBTQ Friendly/Romance Series/Read at Your Own Risk/Spice Level 3/Very Bad Folx Doing Very Hot Things ...more
I think this might be my favorite entry in the One Night Series since “Secrets We Hunt” (AKA Wes and Zoe’s story). Once you read this book you might sI think this might be my favorite entry in the One Night Series since “Secrets We Hunt” (AKA Wes and Zoe’s story). Once you read this book you might see there’s a shared kink between that book and this book, and that totally has something to do with it, but another reason I loved this book was because I really and truly have a deep and abiding love for MMF romances where the female is willing, ready and able to embrace her male partner’s desires for the same sex and wants to join in. The human has the capacity for infinite amounts of love; it’s just each of us as individuals that determine if we have the ability to open our hearts in that way.
I don’t want to ruin too much about this book, but I can tell you that there isn’t much in the way of plot. This is mainly Pyro’s story, but it’s almost an extended epilogue, in a way, to “Burdens We Carry” (Owen and Aurora’s story). This entry in the One Night series takes place about six months after Owen and Aurora’s wedding when the whole group of friends this series centers around gets together for a rare group vacation in Tokyo. Jack, Quinlan, Owen, Aurora, and Pyro all decide to go out for a night of racy and spicy fun… but Owen and Aurora have a proposition for Pyro. I think you can likely guess where this is going.
What follows is a book that’s about 60% MMF spicy goodness. I don’t know about you, but that’s a dang good time in my opinion.
I want to take a time out to address how Dana Isaly writes her mm interactions: I don’t know if anyone of her other readers feel like this, but I really and truly wish she would take the plunge and write a full-on gay romance. She’s written RH/Why Choose with mm content, MMF, and a mm short story, but never a full-length mm romance, and I’m dying to see her attempt it. I know every author has their comfort zones and knows what they want to write and what they’re comfortable writing, but she’s just so good at writing male characters and the spicy scenes she does write for her bisexual male characters are already so well written I feel like if she took the plunge it would be fire.
As with the other books in this series, the book isn’t going to make sense if you haven’t read the rest of the series (especially if you haven’t read “Secrets We Hunt” or “Burdens We Carry” in this case), but it’s a worthy entry indeed.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Back in October 2022, Eden Finley dropped a little book named Football Royalty in an interconnected series of LGBTQIA+ romance novels known as FrankliBack in October 2022, Eden Finley dropped a little book named Football Royalty in an interconnected series of LGBTQIA+ romance novels known as Franklin U (more colloquially known as FU). If you haven’t read it, then I suggest you go read it because that whole book is beyond awesome and because there’s a scene in that book that is then alluded to in Can’t Say Goodbye (but is not vital to reading said book) that then resulted in every Eden Finley fan immediately salivating for the story of Brady Talon and his two Navy SEALs. And when I say we were all salivating, I mean we might as well have all been on our knees, begging and pleading and willing to be Eden’s slaves if she would give us this book.
So when Can’t Say Goodbye was announced in the fall, we all might as well have collectively swooned like a southern belle whose corset had been laced too tight. We were dogs collectively chasing our tails, not known to scratch our watches or wind our butts. And then the waiting and the teasing began.
So, I’m sure you all want to know: Was it worth the wait? Oh, oh my darling dears, it was. It was worth every day since we found out Brady Talon had a thing for more than one man in uniform.
It’s not unusual for people in a position where they spend every day taking care of everyone else, putting out metaphorical fires and carrying other people’s worries and fears on their own shoulders day in and day out, and putting a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed not because of external forces but because they want to be the best they can be to want to come home to someone to help them lay those burdens down, to help them put down the weight, and take care of them. And that’s Brady Talon. No one’s pressuring him to go to law school: He’s doing it because he knows it’ll make him a better sports agent. He’s not becoming a sports agent because it’s his legacy: He’s becoming a sports agent because he wants to be the one to advocate and take care of his brother and his brother’s legacy. He wants to be a part of the agency his uncle founded and join him in his work because it’s how they all came together as a family and the mission it started with and the goals it works toward are some of the most important things in his life.
When Brady meets Kit and Prescott at a bar known for catering to sailors, all he’s looking for is a good time, but from that very first night, it’s like something clicks, and holy patty melt does it click! Brady is a needy boy, all hands and skin and mouth. He wants these large men, who can turn him into putty, inside out, manhandle him, wreck him, and leave him feeling warm and absolutely broken down so all his cares and worries have floated away for as long as that high can last. Usually, these kinds of hook-ups are a one-time thing, but these sailors are in town for a bit, and none of them can stay away from one another; and when it comes time for Kit and Prescott to depart (Prescott to deploy, Kit to take a job at the Pentagon), none of them can stand to permanently say goodbye. The goal is to meet up once a year. Yeah right.
In a novel like this, with this level of pining (and I love a good pining), there tends to come too much angst for my taste. But this is Eden Finley, and she’s too good of a writer in her genre to let her readers languish in angst. It’s just not her bag, baby. Brady, Kit, and Prescott are pining, but none of them are emotionally stunted. Conversations emotional, steamy, and serious are had between them all. We’re given a lot of insight into who Brady Talon is professionally, and those scenes are captivating, because we get to see just how good of an agent he will be once he’s done with law school and interning for Damon. We also get to see how close he and Damon are, which is something that’s never been explored in previous books that make up the Sadenverse. (Side note: This actually WAS really, really nice and so insightful and revelatory when it came to both Brady and Damon, and it would be nice to see in future Sadenverse novels if there are certain characters who are closer to one another than others that we didn’t know about before).
I enjoyed the spicy scenes so much, but I can’t pretend it’s not because I adore mmm scenes. Three sweaty males, and twisted up in a bed together? Don’t get me started. The way Brady becomes this needy, greedy, insatiable thing around Kit and Prescott, and the way they spoil him and give him everything he needs and wants until he’s broken down into pieces? Please. Nothing’s hotter.
The emotional development of all three men is sexy, if only because it’s free of the toxicity that could have permeated this novel in the hands of another author. You’d expect it of Brady, given the family and environment he was brought up in. I think with Kit and Prescott it comes from their long history of being the best of friends and from lonely Kit being swallowed up and adopted by Prescott’s open and accepting family. You don’t see these two Navy SEALs who carry themselves around like they are at the top of the predator chain: You only see two guys who know they’re hot and all they want to do is chill and take care of each other and (especially) Brady.
Polyamory sometimes comes together out of the blue or it’s built on top of the foundation of an existing relationship. Either way, it doesn’t come together easily, cleanly, and it takes a metric ton of open, honest, and effective communication. It’s also still stigmatized by society for more reasons than I can count. Watching our boys in this story not only come to terms with what they are, what they want, what they need, what they can’t live without, and then accept they refuse to live their lives any other way is not only beautiful but it’s moving. It’s scary to tell the most important people in your life that you want to live a life less ordinary. I can relate, since my family didn’t take my own poly coming out well and choose to ignore that aspect of my identity. It seems love is love is love… as long as that love is with one person. It’s one more stigma that needs to go. Eden does a lovely job of explaining polyamory as it exists today and writes a coming out for Brady that is a mix of emotionally moving and humorous, as only she can.
It’s another novel knocked out of the park for Eden Finley, and such a freaking hot read. Brady Talon got his HEA, and us readers got the book we’ve been salivating over. It’s a win all around.
The author provided me with access to this title. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.
First, a note for Sara Cate: I have been here from the beginning of SPC with you and I have been honored to have reviewed every single title of this sFirst, a note for Sara Cate: I have been here from the beginning of SPC with you and I have been honored to have reviewed every single title of this series as a member of your street team. Thank you for creating the SPC for all of us readers and inviting us in. It’s been a pleasure.
I have to say that I had my doubts when Sara announced there would be two more books added to the SPC lineup from the original four expected books. While I didn’t like The Highest Bidder as much as everyone else did, I absolutely loved Madame. It ripped me apart and then put me back together and then I sobbed like a baby at the end (actually, there were a couple of places here and there in the book where I teared up, too).
While this book generally feels like a mix of Eden St. Claire’s story and a general send-off for the SPC series as whole, it never feels like these two matters are just being mushed together for matters of convenience. It feels very organic, like it was meant to happen like this. After all, none of the characters of the SPC are getting any younger, and this book takes place two years after the events at the end of Mercy (book four, if you’re keeping track). All the founding SPC members have settled down in one way or another. Most of them don’t even come into the club anymore. Eden, the Madame who’s been a fixture at SPC since day one, is still there almost every night, working to support her and her son. Does she have control issues? Why yes. Even more so, she has trust issues. I can relate.
Sometimes, life happens though, and even Eden St. Claire can make a mistake. Like getting in a little too deep with a submissive named Clay. She was in too deep before she knew it and Clay was in love. She wasn’t ready for him and she cut the thread between them. She’s felt the ghost of him ever since.
Now, at the beginning of this book, Clay has a new girlfriend named Jade and he’s crazy about her, but she can’t give him everything he needs and part of his heart still belongs to Eden. Jade may be younger and a touch naive, but she knows Clay is hiding a part of himself from her. After a chance run-in with Eden and her son at a movie theater, Jade wants to know who Eden was to Clay, and once she knows a piece of the puzzle all Jade wants is to know more so she can make Clay happy.
So much of this book is focused on a very important point about any relationship, but it’s something that’s essential about BDSM relationships: You can’t just pick up a riding crop and start dominating your partner because you want to make them happy (or vice-versa). You have to want to do things for yourself, to make yourself happy. You can’t fake confidence. You can’t fake dominance. You can’t fake happiness. If you don’t actually want to dominate your partner, you can’t force yourself to. You have to want it for yourself. It has to make you feel good to be that person for them.
Another salient point this book makes is that communication in any relationship at all is key. Especially when everything is falling apart and when everyone is feeling their worst. That’s when it's most important to stand up, say something, and be honest. People can misunderstand things so easily when they’re already down or upset. If you aren’t open and honest with the ones you love, they could slip through your hands and you’ll never regret anything more.
I loved both Eden and Jade in this book. I didn’t like Clay as much. I found him to be a little too much of a privileged man child who didn’t understand boundaries or ethics, but I admired how much he loved Jade and Eden. I definitely identify with Eden, with my control and extreme trust issues.
Eden’s story is touching, as is her evolution as a person and a domme. Seeing her find her place in love and at SPC was a spicy, lovely read. I’m going to miss this series so much but I know I’ll always have at least two copies of every book in the series to keep me happy. You won’t regret reading this book.
I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Alphabet Soup Romance/Book Series/Contemporary Romance/Erotica/Kink and BDSM Friendly/Lesbian Romance/LGBTQ Romance/Polyamorous Romance/Sex Club/Sex Worker/Spice Level 3 ...more
This book isn’t exactly bad, it’s just too long and too bogged down by unnecessary flashbacks.
Flashbacks are the enemy of sReal Review: 2.5 / 5 Stars
This book isn’t exactly bad, it’s just too long and too bogged down by unnecessary flashbacks.
Flashbacks are the enemy of suspense, propulsion, engagement, and pacing. They are the lazy path to exposition. And, in this book, they are redundant, as much of what is recounted in the flashbacks is either recounted again or alluded to in Terence’s (the protagonist) inner narrative as the book goes on. You show us, you don’t tell us.
If you took out the flashbacks, this book could’ve been about 50 pages lighter and probably a lot more engaging of a read. The way it reads now, it’s more depressing than romantic and more soppy than sexy.
I felt as if we got an uneven amount of time with all the characters in the book, and that irked me to no end when it came close to the end of the book and it was the very characters we learned the least about that stepped in to save the day, so to speak.
I’m sorry I couldn’t get into this book more, since a lot of people liked it. It’s just a no go for me.
Thanks to the author and The Hatters Author Services for providing me with early access to this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. As per personal policy, this review will not appear on social media or bookseller websites due to the 3 star or lower rating. ...more
One of my favorite characters from Lynn Burke’s “Sinful Natures” series, Lily, is back in the first book of a new series centered on a hookup app callOne of my favorite characters from Lynn Burke’s “Sinful Natures” series, Lily, is back in the first book of a new series centered on a hookup app called Missing Link. I loved Lily back when she first appeared in “Unholy Yearning” as the preacher’s daughter who has a dirty mind and is engaged to Levi, one of that book’s main characters, and I loved when both she and Levi found their own ways to be happy apart from each other while still remaining friends. Lily moved to California with her cousin to live free of her family, her former church, and to find love under her own terms. What she wants, what she craves, is two men. Two men at once. It’s been her dream for years.
First off? This book is hot, hot, hot. The blurb does a poor job of letting you know what you’re in for, seeing as most of what’s in the blurb happens before the 40% mark of the book, but hooboy! Beware all who enter: there is much spiciness to be had! (I’m kidding, because if you know Lynn, you absolutely know spiciness comes guaranteed). There’s also the typical lack of toxic masculinity I’ve come to love from Lynn’s books (yes, talk about your feelings!), along with complex familial dynamics.
There is a huge amount of personal trauma in this book related to one of the main male characters, and it results in a lot of angst in this book. Not as much angst as I’ve seen in some other books like it, but it’s there all the same.
By far, my two favorite things about this book is the complete triad of polyamory and the way Lily helped bridge the gap between Grey and Blaine when she saw how they felt about one another. Lily is a gregarious and generous girl with both her affections and emotions, and even though she risked being hurt again she put herself out there like that so these two guys could find each other. She’s just so sweet.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more
It wasn’t until I first read the blurb for this book that I even knew I needed this dark, spicy, gothic, and suspenseful retelling of my favorite chilIt wasn’t until I first read the blurb for this book that I even knew I needed this dark, spicy, gothic, and suspenseful retelling of my favorite childhood novel. My own reaction of, “I absolutely need to read this,” shouldn’t have come as a surprise, since even when I was younger and read the original story some of my thoughts and observations about the characters and their interactions made me envision different scenarios that weren’t as innocent as the tragic and gothic tale of little orphan girl Mary Lennox. Granted, I don’t remember them being this dark, dirty, spicy, and suspenseful… but I certainly know there were some naughty thoughts going on.
Raven Jayne is a newer author, and I had the distinct pleasure of reviewing almost the entirety of her debut series, Master Class. With this book, Jayne definitely takes the same tenor and approach to female sexuality and male dominance (combined with veneration for their females) she started in Master Class and has translated it into this gothic, suspense romance where Mary Lennox is torn between her wicked, sexual nature and her duty-bound and guilt-ridden nurture. She’s innocent of body but not of mind; her upbringing has taught her nothing but that any feeling that might amount to luxury is sinful. At the same time she knows she’s inherently not meant for a life of purity: she feels wicked in her core, like there’s a hole of need and want inside of her that will never be filled in the commune she’s been raised in before she’s kicked out over what she views as an honest mistake borne of ignorance.
The reason this book rates five stars from me is not because it’s perfectly-plotted and has zero holes. It’s not perfect. The thing is: it’s exactly what it advertises, it’s everything I could’ve wanted (short of it being a RH romance), and it’s such a great read. I could see myself reading it again. My fantasies from reading this during childhood have only been spurred to greater heights by reading the story of Mary Lennox through Raven Jayne’s eyes. Be prepared for a dark, erotic, and unique ride. ...more
In my review for the first book in this series, “Traitor”, I complained that I felt the book was too short to have given us Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
In my review for the first book in this series, “Traitor”, I complained that I felt the book was too short to have given us a good idea of who the boys were but that was the advantage of a RH series: we get more than one book to get to know all the characters better. I also said I liked the private school aspect and loved the FMC, Lennon, but here’s what I have to say about all that in regards to this installment of this series:
This installment was a wasted opportunity in so many ways. Lennon hardly spent any time at school, and what time she did was glossed over. So was her friendship with Ever, which was a nice addition to the first book. In all actuality, I felt like Lennon herself had wilted like a flower and was a shadow of the character I had come to love during the first book.
Hattie Jude took an opportunity to let us get to know the boys organically and chose to do it by lengthy flashbacks and inner narratives, which is exposition by telling and not showing us. I ended up skimming all of those parts because, as per usual, they ripped me right out of the story. And all I gleaned from it was some background I didn’t feel was necessary and a few personal details I felt rather lukewarm about.
The 3.5 stars this installment rated all came from the plot that’s carried over and continued to develop from the first book. It’s rather predictable, but it’s entertaining.
I hope the last installment ups the game and comes through on the promise I saw in the first book. This one just suffered from a sophomore slump.
I received an early copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more
We don’t read books like “I Think Knot” because they’re the most intellectually stimulating books in the world. As much as I’d like to deny it, I viewWe don’t read books like “I Think Knot” because they’re the most intellectually stimulating books in the world. As much as I’d like to deny it, I view my romance, erotica, and otherwise “spicy” books through a different lens than I do other novels; therefore, the way I rate them is going to reflect that. I need you to keep that in mind when you read my reviews, especially for a book like this, which is an omegaverse-based paranormal romance (AKA PNR).
I don’t know about other people, but I don’t read omegaverse books because they’re going to stimulate me mentally, emotionally, or because they might bring about some kind of epiphany or paradigm shift to my mind. I have tons of other books to do that kind of stuff for me. Simply put, I read omegaverse books sheerly because they’re fun, escapist, and hot. That’s it. If you want to judge me for that, then okay. That all being said…
I love a good omegaverse book like this. It’s book one of a duology (so far, at least), and maybe the author will stick to that, but since this book one with a HEA (there is a lead-in to the next book at the end, however), I feel safe in reviewing this as a singular novel and not one as part of a series, since the other book has yet to be published.
There is a lot to recommend this book: it’s funny, it’s enemies-to-lovers, there’s frustration via social media flirting ala Tik Tok or Insta, it’s cute, it’s hot, there’s male/male action as well as m/f action (as well as alphabet soup interactions sprinkled in there), and I have a weakness for “let’s protect our MC from a stalker” trope. There’s a ton of spicy scenes, as well as some milder fade-to-black scenes.
Then there’s the flip side: This book has a ton of spicy scenes… and a liminal plot around it. There’s instalove, which I love sometimes but don’t other times, and in the case of this book I think it came on too fast and detracted from the core strength of the FMC. I wouldn’t have minded the amount of spice if the core strength of the FMC had held up a little longer. I also found myself repeatedly asking why certain discussions weren’t happening when five or more people should obviously have been thinking about the elephant question in the room.
It’s an enjoyable omegaverse PNR, and I think any omegaverse fan would like it. I also think many readers will like the winks and nudges at social media and how it reflects a different persona than the one we put up everyday. It never shows the whole picture of a person and doesn’t contain their entirety. ...more
I like to think that every time Cara Dee releases a new book the romance book world gets a little brighter, because she’s just that good at what she dI like to think that every time Cara Dee releases a new book the romance book world gets a little brighter, because she’s just that good at what she does.
All of the books in The Game series have something to do with Daddy Doms, usually with an additional twist. This time, the additional twists are a beautiful romantic relationship between two submissives, with one of the submissives having a long standing crush on his ex-stepfather and the other having a crush on a Master in their community. This, in the end, makes for a delicious milieu of spice and play sure to thrill any fan of BDSM gay romance and especially of Cara Dee fans.
I loved the characters in this story, and I loved the plot equally so. Where the book faltered, just a little, was in letting the relationships between all four main characters fully develop and flourish in a natural manner. The pacing felt forced, if not outright pushed. Don’t get me wrong, I love fast-burn and low-angst, but with how much each character had going on it didn’t feel like it came from an organic place.
While this forced pacing didn’t outright ruin the book, it did affect my overall enjoyment of the book because it caused me to question the characters and their motives more than once. I felt worried for them because I thought they were all moving too fast and it would all fall apart. In the end, I was still a bit worried. For a book with a guaranteed HEA, that shouldn’t be happening.
But I’m looking forward to book 5, as this is one of my favorite MM romance series.
Thanks to Cara Dee and Xpresso Book Tours for this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more
And Sara Cate hits it out of the ballpark yet again with the third installment in her Salacious Players Club series, a best friends-to-lovers polyamorAnd Sara Cate hits it out of the ballpark yet again with the third installment in her Salacious Players Club series, a best friends-to-lovers polyamorous romance between a married couple and their lothario best friend. Part of the book takes place during a road trip across the US, touring different clubs like the SPC, and then the rest takes place back in the city where the SPC books call home. This book features some of my favorite safety word-worthy things and is absolutely, positively sizzling hot. Believe me, there was some serious lip biting and wiggling going on.
As per usual with this series, Sara has done a great job at showing us the vulnerable and sometimes outright damaged side to the founding members of the SPC, writing these characters with a sense of compassion and understanding that some readers might be tempted to take for granted. I certainly don’t, though, because while not everyone who participates in the same lifestyle as the characters in these books do is vulnerable or damaged by their lives or upbringing, the fact remains there are some people who do find respite in the scene. And that’s okay.
Also, as with the other two books in the series, Sara has certainly done her due diligence when it comes to writing her safety word-worthy scenes. Her research is impeccable, but we all know that research is nothing if you can’t take that research and put it into prose people will want to read. Sara does that better than most romance writers out there. It’s hot and it’s accurate. I love it. And I love her for making that possible.
This book may be my favorite out of the series so far. That’s saying something, considering how much I’ve loved each entry before it.
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. ...more
This review is for Sara Cate’s contribution to this anthology, “A Boy of Fire and Ash”, made possible by Sara and by being a member of her street teamThis review is for Sara Cate’s contribution to this anthology, “A Boy of Fire and Ash”, made possible by Sara and by being a member of her street team. Thanks, Sara!
Whooooo! She does it again! This short-story, a spin-off from her full-length novel “Burn For Me”, takes the same tropes from that book and flip-turns it into a sexy, sinful male-on-male story. We have a young, traumatized, sexy mechanic/college student/rugby player and an older English professor who are drawn together with sizzling chemistry and a solid plot, which is always a bonus when you’re working on a shorter number of pages.
It was nice to see Everly and Cullen again, and to see them after their relationship has settled after “Burn For Me”, especially since it puts Everly in a position to be a foil for Thomas. She’s unapologetic and unashamed of her love for Cullen and how he treats her, which both lends what Thomas and Everly are doing an impish air about it (look what we’re getting away with!), while somewhat lessening the forbidden aspect of it (the administration seems not to care too much about it, so who’s going to say anything about it?).
I was thrilled to read this, because reverse age-gap? Professor/student? Versatile? Mechanic? An SS Impala? Yes. Yes to all of this. Ticking my boxes. Some of my favorite things. And they are done well, the Sara Cate way. ...more
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