"I didn’t realize it then, but that day in the pool was the first time he carved his name into my heart. He did it deeply. Deep enough to leave a f"I didn’t realize it then, but that day in the pool was the first time he carved his name into my heart. He did it deeply. Deep enough to leave a fine, silvery thread of scar tissue. I didn’t mind or complain. Not at all. Hell, I cracked my own sternum and held my ribcage wide open, giving him the time and access he needed to cut as deeply as he wanted. I didn’t wince. I didn’t flinch or pull away. I stood still. I was such a dumbass. I looked on and smiled as he did it."
Honestly, I don't have enough good things to say about the heart-wrenchingly angsty and totally divine standalone Romeo Falling by the fabulous Jesse H. Reign.
Romeo Falling is an MM, best friends-to lovers-to enemies-to lovers romance, with some achingly beautiful moments between our MCs Romeo and Jude, all the steamy first times, so much pining and alllll the angst. The writing is just perfect and the single POV keeps you wondering until the end.
What To Expect:
❣️MM romance ❣️small town ❣️co-dependency ❣️childhood best friends to lovers to enemies to.... ❣️all the firsts ❣️spicy but with love ❣️soulmates ❣️cheating (not between MCs) ❣️miscommunication ❣️single POV ❣️hard won HEA
"That was it. That was the moment I thought would set the course for the rest of my life. Even now, I could swear it was real. I could swear as I lay there beneath him, I saw Romeo falling."
One of my favourite reads this year, one of those that stays with you.
"I don’t know how to have a friend," Gage admits, finally putting me at ease. I like it when other people feel awkward because it makes me feel les"I don’t know how to have a friend," Gage admits, finally putting me at ease. I like it when other people feel awkward because it makes me feel less alone in my awkwardness. Quirks like company, I guess.
Sober Dope & Sundays is book 2 in the fabulous Nordika Night's Weekday Weirdos series. Like the first book in the series, Red Flags & Tuesdays, Sober Dope & Sundays was an unexpectedly quirky, funny and enchanting read, particularly given its dark-themed subject matter (addiction, recovery, relapse, mental health rep, amongst more).
Nordika Night handles the subject matter so beautifully, you can't help but get sucked into the journey these two amazing characters are on.
I totally adored Gage and Alexei. Gage literally WOULD NOT GIVE UP and Alexei was his brightness and strength, without giving up his own identity.
Although this book has dark themes, it's not a dark book; there's so much positivity and support to draw on, with the best parents (on both sides) and the best 'found family' support that you could wish for.
It's absolutely a romance, but it's not smutty or really spicy in any way; whilst the boys both fall quickly, they fall deeply in friendship and soulmateship first, and take baby steps with the intimacy.
When we finally break apart, our chests are heaving as we struggle to catch our breath. Harry rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed, hisWhen we finally break apart, our chests are heaving as we struggle to catch our breath. Harry rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed, his fingers still tangled in my hair. He finally withdraws. He opens his eyes and his blue gaze pierces mine. “It appears you are still a necessity,” he says.
I totally loved this! Toby and Harry are divine. The Unlikely Pair is such a feel-good read and I highly commend a read of the first book in the Unlikely Dilemmas series by the wonderful Jax Calder - The Unlikely Heir - too.
What To Expect:
❥ rivals to friends to lovers ❥ politicians ❥ opposites attract ❥ forced proximity ❥ first times ❥ LOL moments ❥ HEA
"Something about him drew me like a moth to a flame, which was only a problem because most of the time, he looked at me as if he couldn’t ever trus"Something about him drew me like a moth to a flame, which was only a problem because most of the time, he looked at me as if he couldn’t ever trust me, as if he didn’t even like me, when all I saw in him was safety. A place to lay down my head and rest, knowing that he’d have my back while I slept."
Kiss a Villain is book 1 in the No Mercy duet by debut author Mia Darling, and what a totally fabulous debut this was! I was sucked in from the very first chapter and inhaled the entire book over one (sleepless!) night. I totally adored our gorgeously innocent despite the horror, pining mafia prince Yarik, but my heart is still with that beautifully broken lonely Bratva boy, Kirill. So much angst!
"I leaned heavily against my desk and rubbed my face with both hands. As if I didn’t have enough to deal with already. Despite everything Hayden ha"I leaned heavily against my desk and rubbed my face with both hands. As if I didn’t have enough to deal with already. Despite everything Hayden had said about being independent, I had the intrinsic feeling that the biggest challenge and responsibility, and hopefully the biggest joy, of my life had just come thumping down on my shoulders."
His Captor is book two in the Omegas After Dark series by MM Farmer but can be read as a standalone. Despite the title, this isn't a dark romance and notwithstanding a short kidnapping, it's a quick and angst-less read.
"Where did you go?" she asked Jeremy. He looked at the boy on the ground, then at her, and his one-word answer was frightening enough that she aske"Where did you go?" she asked Jeremy. He looked at the boy on the ground, then at her, and his one-word answer was frightening enough that she asked him nothing more. "Far."
Meg Shaffer is a new-to-me author, so I was excited to take a deep dive into The Lost Story kindly provided to me by NetGalley. And I was so happy I did!
The Lost Story was an absolute palate cleanser compared to the dark, MM contemporary romance/sports romance books I usually read. Pitched as an 'adult fairytale' and very loosely based on the Narnia stories, this was an enchanting tale of lost and found, and hidden memories that somehow stay forever.
Whilst this does have a MM romance woven throughout, it is very much 'fade to black' on any romantic scenes between our fabulous MMCs, Jeremy and Rafe, with the fantasy element and overarching storyline taking priority. Nothing here for fans of smut!
There are some strong FMCs too, in Skya and Emilie, and a gorgeous fantasy world in Shanandoah to get lost in.
What to Expect
❣️Fantasy romance ❣️Alternate/parallel worlds ❣️MM best friends to lovers ❣️Strong FMCs ❣️Mental health rep ❣️Some dark themes ❣️HFN
"The world exploded into deafening silence as their lips touched. Thousands of threads had interwoven into their lives, some severed, some stitched"The world exploded into deafening silence as their lips touched. Thousands of threads had interwoven into their lives, some severed, some stitched tight, all of them carrying traces of memories of the years they’d spent in each other’s company."
"Luca glares at me for a moment longer, before his expression softens and his lips tilt up in a soft smile. And as I hold his gaze, I can’t help bu"Luca glares at me for a moment longer, before his expression softens and his lips tilt up in a soft smile. And as I hold his gaze, I can’t help but smile as well, and send him a silent thank you. As irritating as he can be, he’s also the only one that can really get me out of my head, and help me find my way home."
Choke Hold is the second and final book in the No Holds Barred duology by Eve Holmes and my love affair with Ty and Luca continues! Whilst I didn't lose myself in this one quite like I did with Hooks In, it was still a fabulous ending to their story.
"Yeah, I’m a team captain. I play an aggressive, full-contact sport, but I like when he makes decisions for me. I don’t want to think anymore. It’s"Yeah, I’m a team captain. I play an aggressive, full-contact sport, but I like when he makes decisions for me. I don’t want to think anymore. It’s dangerous in my head. My body reacts to him like it never has before, and I’m already desperate to see what else he can do to me."
Off Sides is book 3 in the Darby U Hockey Boys series by Andi Jaxon and this is Nick and Joey's story. We first met the boys briefly in Hidden Scars and then again in novella form, in the Worthy: A Pride Anthology. Now, finally, they get themselves a full lenth story.
Recall, Nick is the confident star player of the Darby U football team and Joey is the Darby U hockey captain, strong on the field but oh, so submissive in the bedroom. I loved how accepting Nick was of Joey's insecurities and their steamy times together were as hot as you would expect with an AJ read. You'll never look at a cinnamon roll in the same way again!
"He’s so needy for me. What the hell kind of partners has he been with that couldn’t figure him out? Did they not care, or did he just not tell them what he needed?"
What to Expect:
❥ Dual POV ❥ MM sports romance ❥ One night stand turns into more ❥ Hurt/comfort ❥ Daddy vibes ❥ Steamy times ❥ Angsty themes ❥ HEA
Adam's troubles continue. Turns out the hotel definitely has a gremlin problem, Zodiac is becoming more and more irresistable, Gideon Cain is unrelenting and Reynard has a damn wife!
This is still just MM as far as the romance goes, with Adam falling for BOTH his business partners in book one, but you just know this is going to end up as MMM once the demon and the vampire sort out their differences - and who doesn't adore an enemies to lovers show-down?!
Adam's troubles continue. Turns out the hotel definitely has a gremlin problem, Zodiac is becoming more and more irresistable, Gideon Cain is unrelenting and Reynard has a damn wife!
This is still just MM as far as the romance goes, with Adam falling for BOTH his business partners in book one, but you just know this is going to end up as MMM once the demon and the vampire sort out their differences - and who doesn't adore an enemies to lovers show-down?!
"He was wrong. Wrong about everything. But mostly, wrong about me. He couldn’t enthrall me. It wasn’t possible. Because I wasn’t human, and never h"He was wrong. Wrong about everything. But mostly, wrong about me. He couldn’t enthrall me. It wasn’t possible. Because I wasn’t human, and never had been. And he could never know."
I am absolutely loving these shorter, funnier yet still spicy, character and story-driven books, from the fabulous Ariana Nash (no offence to Adam Vex!) SOS Hotel: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay! is book one of (at least!) three books in her latest PNR urban fantasy series, SOS Hotel.
Adam Vex is the human (or is he?!) hotelier narrator of the books. He runs a sanctuary for supernatural Lost Ones, the SOS Hotel, with the help of his business partners, the gorgeous lust demon Zodiac and the sophisticated billionaire vampire Lord Reynard, who may or may not be up to something untoward.
Throw in an AI bartender called Tom Collins who's intent on poisoning half the guests, a vicious demon called Sebastien who has a secret hold over Zodiac, a murder (or two) on the hotel's opening night, an interfering detective and a psychotic real-estate mogul called Gideon Cain who wants to see Adam exposed in all the ways, and you have the recipe for a perfect storm!
This is a MM PNR, with Adam falling for both his business partners in book one. But you just know this is going to end up MMM once the demon and the vampire sort out their differences - and who doesn't adore an enemies to lovers show-down?!
"He was wrong. Wrong about everything. But mostly, wrong about me. He couldn’t enthrall me. It wasn’t possible. Because I wasn’t human, and never had been. And he could never know."
I am absolutely loving these shorter, funnier yet still spicy, character and story-driven books, from the fabulous Ariana Nash (no offence to Adam Vex!) SOS Hotel: For a Supernaturally Safe Stay! is book one of (at least!) three books in her latest PNR urban fantasy series, SOS Hotel.
Adam Vex is the human (or is he?!) hotelier narrator of the books. He runs a sanctuary for supernatural Lost Ones, the SOS Hotel, with the help of his business partners, the gorgeous lust demon Zodiac and the sophisticated billionaire vampire Lord Reynard, who may or may not be up to something untoward.
Throw in an AI bartender called Tom Collins who's intent on poisoning half the guests, a vicious demon called Sebastien who has a secret hold over Zodiac, a murder (or two) on the hotel's opening night, an interfering detective and a psychotic real-estate mogul called Gideon Cain who wants to see Adam exposed in all the ways, and you have the recipe for a perfect storm!
This is a MM PNR, with Adam falling for both his business partners in book one. But you just know this is going to end up MMM once the demon and the vampire sort out their differences - and who doesn't adore an enemies to lovers show-down?!
"Kyranis is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. While I know he took me against my will and that his reasons are selfish, I can’t help the way m"Kyranis is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. While I know he took me against my will and that his reasons are selfish, I can’t help the way my body reacts to his presence. There’s a raw power in him, and not just in those firm muscles and wide shoulders. His eyes burn with the conviction of someone who knows what they want and how to get it."
Taken by the Lord of the Nocturne Court is a different read for me from K.A. Merikan, in that it's not their usual MM, dark and dirty contemporary read, this one is a MM PNR/fantasy romance with less dark but still as much dirty.
What To Expect:
❥ MM PNR/fantasy romance ❥ Dual POV ❥ Kidnapping ❥ Forced proximity ❥ Elf prince/human ❥ Possessive MC ❥ Dark humour ❥ Virgin MC
"How did one person feel like all the atoms in the universe conspired to make stardust? Stardust entirely designed to make me happy. One person sho"How did one person feel like all the atoms in the universe conspired to make stardust? Stardust entirely designed to make me happy. One person shouldn’t feel this fucking good."
If you've read J.R. Gray's totally fabulous Pretty Broken series, you'll know that they write a a mighty fine MM rockstar romance, full of all the angst and all the steam. Goodbye Note is another brilliant venture into the rockstar romance world, with the same great style and writing, but with two new bands and some fresh, front man fodder.
This is Varian and Arik's love story spanning two decades, so bring your tissues because it gets tough along the way.
"It was the first time I met Caspien Deveraux, and I loathed him with a passion I didn’t know I was capable of. And though I didn’t know it then, I"It was the first time I met Caspien Deveraux, and I loathed him with a passion I didn’t know I was capable of. And though I didn’t know it then, I’d soon come to love him with the very same ferocity."
You know sometimes you read a book and you know it's going to stay with you long after you finish the last page? Well Oleander: A Great Expectations Reimagining is THAT book. I'm also making an early call that Oleander: A Great Expectations Reimagining is going to be my favourite book of the year. Everything about it is completely and utterly divine and I have used way more of the author's own words than usual in my reviews to try and capture its essence.
Jude and Caspien are beyond precious, beyond broken. I totally adore Jude and his ability to love unconditionally, but there's something about Caspien's hardness and fragility and ruthlessness and vulnerability, that makes him one of my favourite MCs ever - he is an absolute paradox, so conflicted and complex and fractured. Bravo Scarlett Drake!
"It came from nowhere, but I felt it everywhere. The need to kiss him. I imagined the soft, wet pink inside of his mouth, the taste of his lips, the shape of his tongue. It was an onslaught of want. Loud and hot and violent."
Don't get me wrong - this book literally broke my heart. Scarlett Drake has the most exquisite command of the English language and she writes with a sublime poetry and cadence that just sucks you in, until you're almost drowning in the emotion of the story. I'm fairly sure I only just managed to keep my head above water through some of the most excrutiating moments. But hang in there, it's totally and completely worth it.
"My emotions were not as easy to define then. I knew them only as loud, chaotic things which burned a path straight through me without clarity or warning."
Oleander: A Great Expectations Reimagining is a coming of age love story, but it's not for the faint-hearted; be prepared for dark themes, dark behaviour and broken hearts covering a ten year period. It's brutal at times and Scarlett Drake is the queen of twisting the knife.
"If I counted all the little ways he broke my heart, totalled them up, and set them on a scale, I doubt they would even come close to that first, deep break. The one that felt like a crack tearing through stone and earth, through things that had existed since the beginning of a life, to alter it irrevocably."
That said, every twist along the way leads us to the hard won and so well-deserved epilogue. Honestly, if you only read one book this year, you need to make it Oleander: A Great Expectations Reimagining.
"I’d love him in spite of everything he was and everything I knew he could be. No matter what he did, no matter how much he hurt me, in this I would be constant. As long as Caspien Deveraux breathed, I would love him.
If you read one book this year, make it this one. ❤️...more
"His kiss swept me out to sea and drowned me, the world fading into nothingness and my body and mind going pliant."
The Captive's Curse is another "His kiss swept me out to sea and drowned me, the world fading into nothingness and my body and mind going pliant."
The Captive's Curse is another really enjoyable read in Eliot Grayson's Twilight Mages series. This is book 2 and it's Cyril and Enzo's story. Whilst it follows The Royal Curse and we do meet the MCs from that book briefly again in this one, The Captive's Curse can definitely be read as standalone.
Again, Eliot Grayson provides some great world-building, hilarious (and hot!) MCs, sinister side-characters, top of the range snark, a mad as hell ghost, laugh out loud moments and off the chart steam all at the same time! The world of the Twilight Mages is definitely one I can recommend.
Julia (bookish.jka)
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