Shannon Stacey is an automatic read for me. When I got this ARC from NetGalley I jumped right in. It was a solid read, but in the end it was just ok fShannon Stacey is an automatic read for me. When I got this ARC from NetGalley I jumped right in. It was a solid read, but in the end it was just ok for me. Jessica has never met her grandparents in Boston. Her father never wanted to talk about them, just claiming “They’re not our kind of people.” When Jessica finds out her grandfather has been having some medical issues, she decides to visit them and see what’s going on. Joe & Marie are Jessica’s grandparent. They don’t even know they have a granddaughter until Jessica shows up at their door. Rick rents the apartment on the top floor of their house and helps them out whenever he can. He meets Jessica and is attracted to her, but feels very protective of Joe and Marie.This story is about how their attraction plays out, despite their potential conflict of interest as to what is best for Joe and Marie and it’s about Jessica and Rick’s long distance (California to Boston) relationship. What I liked – right off the top, I liked that Jessica and Joe are mature enough to have a long distance relationship without falling apart. They miss each other, but they can still function. For the most part, Jessica and Joe talk to each other a lot and there are no big misunderstandings. The sex in the story is well written and hot. I enjoyed Rick’s fellow firemen and their bantering. What didn’t work so well for me. I enjoy a low conflict romance – where all the conflict is internal, but this one dragged. From the very beginning the outcome (that they would be together and where they would live) seemed obvious to me. The part I generally enjoy is how they get there. In this case, the pacing was off, and the story ended before things were totally resolved. It’s a believable ending, but I felt like I wanted a few more chapters of epilogue. I expect a lot of humor from Shannon Stacey. There s was some in this book, but not as much as I wanted. If you’re a Shannon Stacey fan or a lover of firemen, you’ll probably enjoy this book. For me, it was just ok. ...more
I love Lauren Dane, but I was kind of dreading this book. I wasn't sure I could really buy the re-connection of Kelly and Vaughn, who divorced years aI love Lauren Dane, but I was kind of dreading this book. I wasn't sure I could really buy the re-connection of Kelly and Vaughn, who divorced years ago. Now that Kelly is seriously dating again (and engaged) suddenly Vaughn is interested again? I really didn't think I could go with it, but I was wrong.
I was wrong, because this book really worked for me. The thing that made it work was Vaughn's absolute acceptance of his responsibility for their failed marriage and other things between them. He didn't accept more than his share of the blame, but he owned up to the things he'd done wrong and worked to prove to Kelly that he'd become a better man.
Probably the only negative for me was that Kelly came off as almost too perfect. Otherwise there are no complaints from me, other than that this feels like the end of the series, and that makes me sad!
*Note: I received free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
July 2015 - I just reread this book and I still love it to pieces. Such a feel good story. The mental health aspects ring so true to me, as does the iJuly 2015 - I just reread this book and I still love it to pieces. Such a feel good story. The mental health aspects ring so true to me, as does the idea of living your life to the best you can and not measuring success and happiness by anyone's standards but your own. I'd recommend this book to anyone!
Best book I've read all year, no question!
Jeremey, a high school senior, is extremely depressed - a condition made worse by his parents' insistence that he just shake it off and magically get better. Emmett, a genius in college, has autism and works hard create a routine he can thrive with. Surprisingly the two manage to become friends, and Emmett is the one who most clearly recognizes how dire Jeremey's situation is.
Not only was this an incredibly sweet romance between two young men, but it was one that really made me think about disabilities and differences and living life to its fullest. It makes me root for everyone to have their own love story.
I thought Cullinan did an incredible job writing from the point of view of two young men with differing challenges. Each one wonders if they could ever find someone willing or able to handle their quirks and coping mechanisms. It's delightful to see how they work together.
I think this may turn into an all time favorite romance for me, and I see that it's the first in a series, so I"m looking forward to more! Seriously, go read this book now - you won't regret it!
*Note: I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This book started out strong for me. It had a vibe that reminded me of Lora Leigh's Breeds series - you know it's a little over the top, but that's okThis book started out strong for me. It had a vibe that reminded me of Lora Leigh's Breeds series - you know it's a little over the top, but that's ok, because it's super hot and that makes it all work. Unfortunately, that vibe fell apart for me as the story progressed and I just couldn't stay into it.
August is a wild life researcher who has just been given the opportunity (and forced) to do research in Africa. She's turned her back on her half-fae blood and doesn't even believe weres exist. She's in for rude awakening, because were-lion Arlan and his on-again off-again half fae lover Jay are both waiting for her. Arlan believe the three of them form a sacred triad of fated mates and that they can do magic in the afterglow of a threesome.
I can buy that fantastic set up. The sex was really hot and that worked well. The plot in-between sex scenes was a problem for me, though. The whole story had a complicated set up with villains and Jay's homophobia and kidnapped children, but when it all came to a head, the villains were a bit laughable and it all tied up quite tidily. I guess I just expected more depth because of the seriousness of the problems. Alternatively, it would have worked for me to read a story like this that didn't take itself so seriously.
If you have a high tolerance for the over-the-top in romance and enjoy a fated-mate trope, this will probably work much better for you than it did for me. I lean toward 2 stars, but I'm bumping it up to 3 because of the great sex.
One last thing - you know how sometimes a single word will draw you out of a story, to the point that you notice it every single time it's used? SNATCH. August doesn't have a pussy or a cunt or a vulva. She has a snatch. You've been warned! ...more
This is the first book by Elia Winters that I've read, but I'll certainly be reading more! I loved practically everything about it!
Emma is a pretty shThis is the first book by Elia Winters that I've read, but I'll certainly be reading more! I loved practically everything about it!
Emma is a pretty shy bookstore owner who doesn't really know anything about bondage or rope play when Ian asks if he can use her back room as meeting space for a bondage class he teaches. She knows Ian from high school and he often shops at her bookstore. She's not sure about the bondage, but she needs the money, so she agrees. Then she uses the power of Google to learn a little more about bondage and finds a kink she didn't know she had. When Ian asks if she'd be his model for the class she agrees.
There was so much to enjoy about this book. Emma has self esteem issues, especially as related to her appearance and weight, but she's pretty comfortable with her sexuality. She has the bigger character arc in this story as comes to realize her own self worth.
Ian is pretty much perfect from page one, and I was fine with that. He probably had some flaws somewhere, but I didn't notice any.
The story of their relationship was solid and incredibly hot! The rope play was described with just enough technical detail for me to picture what was going on. There's enough time in Emma's and Ian's heads to understand why they are turned on by it. While this book would technically be a BDSM book, it's really only got the Bondage part of BDSM, with very little of the D/s and no M at all.
There are some geek references in the story that were icing on the cake to me. Ian plays board games with his friends. They were games I've played and loved. Ian and Emma each have good friends and their time with friends advanced the story and was entertaining. I particularly liked Brent, Ian's game store owner friend who is both lazy and ambitious.
The only thing I didn't like about the story was a misunderstanding that happened toward the end of the book. It was resolved fairly quickly, but I wish it had been addressed immediately. Overall, the rest of the book easily compensated for this misunderstanding.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It's going on my Best of 2015 list and I'm looking forward to more by Elia Winters!...more
Dare and his tattoos and his shaved head and his campervan repair business and especially his toppy ways are a far cry from the kind of guy Grant normDare and his tattoos and his shaved head and his campervan repair business and especially his toppy ways are a far cry from the kind of guy Grant normally goes for. But Grant’s boss has put him on Dare’s case, literally, and now the question isn’t *if* Grant will give into temptation, but it’s how often will he? And what will he do if he starts having feelings for Dare?
Dare was a dream of a character. He’s secure in who he is and what he wants out of life. He’s found some boundaries between himself and his drug addicted brother. He knows what turns him on – and Grant really turns his crank. Dare doesn’t have a lot of growing to do in this story. That may have been part of what made Grant look so bad in my eyes.
Grant was nearly unredeemable to me. The first 80 pages of the book are full of me highlighting examples of Grant’s asshole and entitled behavior. He’s making a lot of painful changes in his life, but it’s a slow process. He starts out looking down on Dare. He misses the support his ex-wife gave him when they were still married. He misses seeing his daughters, though he acknowledges he’s always been working so much that he didn’t get much time to see them anyway. I just didn’t like him very much. It was nice that he changed his ways over the course of the book, but he was so awful in the beginning of it that I had a hard time forgiving him and believing he had truly changed.
The one area in Grant’s life that was really was sweet was his adoration of his daughters and his determination to keep them comfortable and supported. He also really liked his ex-wife and very much regretted hurting her.
So, it was a pretty mixed bag for me. I haven’t read the previous two books in this series, but I don’t think that was a problem. Actually, I’m a bit concerned that Grant was an even bigger asshole in those books – I’m not sure I could have come to like him at all if I’d read them! Scrap does stand on its own, though. ...more
Robby runs the coffee cart/kiosk in a food court. The highlight of his day is when David comes to get his daily coffee. Robby wonders if David is gay Robby runs the coffee cart/kiosk in a food court. The highlight of his day is when David comes to get his daily coffee. Robby wonders if David is gay and wonders if they have a little flirtation going. When David accidentally leaves his wallet behind and Robby tracks him down, it’s the start of something more.
This was a sweet and slow building relationship story and I loved it! It fits a long time in 68 pages, so it jumps in time a bit now and then, but that was ok. It was also all from Robby’s point of view, which, again, was ok – it’s something I expect in a novella.
What was really wonderful about this book was that Robby had all the hornypants that normally comes with a m/m book, but was so patient about waiting for David to be on the same page. It was so sweet – he didn’t want to rush anything because he didn’t want to make David uncomfortable and he so enjoyed David’s company that he was willing to wait.
It was a sweet, hot, and enjoyable story. It’s the first in a series and I’ll be watching for more! I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys an action/suspense free m/m romance!
*I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
This book was 77 perfect pages. I read it in one gulp and I want to go back and read it again!
Edwin’s partner of 10 years left him two years ago, but This book was 77 perfect pages. I read it in one gulp and I want to go back and read it again!
Edwin’s partner of 10 years left him two years ago, but he still lives a solitary life and mourns that loss. He loves his job restoring old books, and he loves his feisty widow neighbor, but there’s not much else in his life. Then come the rains and the flood warning and Adam.
Adam works with the Environmental Agency and he’s in Edwin’s neighborhood to make sure everyone is prepared for the flooding and to evacuate them if needed. Something sparks between them the first time they meet, and that is both exciting and frightening to Edwin.
First person “I” point of view is not my favorite, but I thought it worked really well in this book. The entire story is told only from Edwin’s point of view. The writing was good enough that I thought I had a feel for where Adam was at throughout it all. Additionally, this is as much as story of Edwin’s healing and getting ready to live his life again as it is a romance, so it makes sense that we’re in Edwin’s head.
It’s a low heat level and I never once missed it. There’s some nice tension, and every word between them seems precious.
The story takes place in England, which was a bonus. Adam’s endearments, especially “petal” make my heart sigh. The writing style is different from a lot of other romances and I enjoyed that.
I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys m/m, and it would be a good first m/m book to try. I don’t know where Alexis Hall has been all my life… well, actually, clearly he’s been writing, because he has a significant backlist. I can’t wait to start reading it! Waiting for the Flood is going on my Best of 2015 list!
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Isabelle West is a loner. She’s an artist living out in the country in Montana. She’s also living in hiding from her previous life. When U.S. Marshal Isabelle West is a loner. She’s an artist living out in the country in Montana. She’s also living in hiding from her previous life. When U.S. Marshal Tom Duncan knocks on her door she thinks it’s all come to an end. Then it turns out he’s only there to protect one of her neighbors, and her secret is safe after all. It would probably be wise to keep her distance from him though, right?
Tom’s gut tells him there’s more going on with Isabelle than it appears. He should probably wait to see her again until he’s done with her background check, right?
“The Big Secret” is one of my least favorite tropes in romance, but it really worked for me this time. I suppose that’s because Victoria Dahl wrote it and I feel like she writes books that were made just for me! The big secret in this case was believable to me, and even very close to the end of the book I wondered how in the world this could possible work out for Isabelle and Tom. Of course it does, and how it worked out turned out to be believable, too.
Isabelle is a great character. Despite all the crap that’s gone on in her life, she’s very confident sexually. She knows what she wants and feels no guilt about going after it. I LOVE that in a heroine!
Here’s a sample of Isabelle talking with her neighbor: “I talked to Tom about it last night.” [Isabelle] “Oh, you did? Now that is something I hadn’t heard.” Isabelle shrugged. “He comes to see you, too.” “Yes, but I’m luring him with food. What are you luring him with?” “My tits. And my sparkling personality, I’m sure.” “No, it’s your tits. They’re gorgeous.” (p. 76)
Isabelle also has a small circle of friends, and I always enjoy that. Dahl writes female friendships well. This book is #2 in the series, and Isabelle’s friends featured in previous books, but I think this one would stand alone just fine.
For his part, Tom is happily surprised and totally turned on by Isabelle’s confidence. Very cool. Tom has some issues of his own to work through, including quite a savior complex. He’s both into Isabelle and wants to help her with the trouble he thinks she’s in, even if he doesn’t quite know what it is. It haunts him that she’s so independent and not reaching out for help.
The dialog is awesome. The sex scenes are hot and well written. I recommend it for readers who like contemporary romance.
*I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Lauren has decided it’s time to look seriously for a husband. No more of the bad boys she’s attracted to. Her mama gave her some rules and Lauren is gLauren has decided it’s time to look seriously for a husband. No more of the bad boys she’s attracted to. Her mama gave her some rules and Lauren is going to follow them so she can settle down. But when her “serious” boyfriend dumps her on New Years Eve, Lauren decides that one last fling before re-committing to her husband hunt is what’s in order. Jackson is her “one last time” hookup, but she just can’t finish with him and he’s convincing her to break all her mama’s rules.
When I look at the notes I made while reading this book, it’s got lots of little things that bothered me. (view spoiler)[ anal sex = commitment, hero acknowledges talent in heroine that her family doesn’t, words like “cleft” and “nub” (hide spoiler)] HOWEVER, it still really worked for me. Here’s a quote that sums it up for me. Jackson says: “Another thing you need to know about me is I like control and I often take over. I’ll try not to bulldoze you, but more often than not, I’m going to do what I’m going to do. What you need to figure out is if you’re the kind of woman who really has a problem with that or itf you’re the kind who thinks she should have a problem with that, but deep down, in places she doesn’t examine much, actually gets off on her man being what he is and how he looks out for his woman.”
So, I’ll confess… I would HATE a man like this in real life, but in a book… this totally works for me. So really enjoyed the whole thing, despite the little nitpicky notes I made. Jackson has this whole take charge biker bad guy vibe without any of the violence, drugs, cheating, etc that happens in an MC book. It's like it was made for me!
This book had major book charisma. It looks like it’s the debut for Harper Kincaid. I’ll definitely be watching for more from her!
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Danny and AJ are rooming together at a convention after years of being friends online. They each have feelings for each other, but aren’t sure they arDanny and AJ are rooming together at a convention after years of being friends online. They each have feelings for each other, but aren’t sure they are reciprocated.
This book was full of stuff I love – lots of geek references and that mutual hesitation of a friends to lovers romance. It also has two characters who fall under the transgender umbrella (if I’m using that term correctly). Danny was born a female but transitioned to male, and AJ doesn’t fall into any binary (male or female) role.
I’ve never read a book with characters like this before, and the explicit sex scenes in the book were both new to me and still just an expression of love. I struggled a bit, because of the newness. The characters felt new to me and being included in their sex almost felt intrusive. I think that’s a credit to the writing, that the characters felt so real to me.
Their love story was sweet, and I appreciate that it ended with a very hopefully note, as opposed to a unicorns pooping rainbows happily ever after epilogue. I’d recommend this short story to anyone with a love of geek and an mind open to non-traditional gender.
*Note - this novella was 49 pages long on my ereader. *I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Another solid story in this series! I really loved that Nash is the heart of his family and he's not ashamed of it and no one has a problem with it. IAnother solid story in this series! I really loved that Nash is the heart of his family and he's not ashamed of it and no one has a problem with it. I really liked Spencer, the hot Brit, too. Full review to come....more
This is a very short story- about 25 pages. It reads more like a personal anecdote than it does a story. If I was in a conversation with someone and tThis is a very short story- about 25 pages. It reads more like a personal anecdote than it does a story. If I was in a conversation with someone and they said "Here's how I realized I was transgender" this is the kind of story I'd expect. There is a romantic relationship included in this narrative, but it's not the focus of the story, so I wouldn't consider it a romance. It was good though and has a real feeling to it, but covering three or four years in 25 pages is a big task.
*I received a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more
I loved The Rosie Project (the first book in this series.) It was one of my favorite reads last year and one I've mentioned to friends off and on. It I loved The Rosie Project (the first book in this series.) It was one of my favorite reads last year and one I've mentioned to friends off and on. It was funny and sweet and romantic. When I saw that The Rosie Project was coming out, I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of it from NetGalley. It was a disappointing read for me, mostly because I was expecting something funny, romantic, and sweet.
To me the blurb for this story read like a marriage-in-trouble romance. The Rosie Effect is not a romance. It was funny in places, but more sad than sweet. I've read marriage-in-trouble romances before and enjoyed them, because the focus in fixing the marriage and things getting better. For about 90% of this book things just get worse and worse. It's painful to read, even though there are many funny parts.
Don's friend Gene is back and I hate him even more than in the last book. There's an evil social worker I couldn't stand and very, very little interaction between Don and Rosie. Seriously, Don and Rosie don’t have a whole lot of on page time together. A lot of their problems would have been resolved if they’d been honest with each other or even just talked a bit more. Instead, Don had several people giving him advice that he keep things from Rosie in the name of not adding to her stress level.
It was good as fiction, but it sucked as a romance. As just general fiction I’d give it a B, but for romance I give it a D. I’ll average those to a C- or 3 stars. Giving this such a low grade is sad, because The Rosie Project was such an incredibly good book. ...more
Jack has been thrown out of school and has nowhere to go but his home. Unfortunately, that's not a great place for Jack. Also unfortunately, it's goinJack has been thrown out of school and has nowhere to go but his home. Unfortunately, that's not a great place for Jack. Also unfortunately, it's going to mean seeing his high school boyfriend, Mike, again.
I delayed reading this one for a while. I was afraid I wouldn't like Jack, and afraid it would be too angsty, I was wrong. It was just the right amount of angsty, and it had humor and sweet moments, too. Also, Jack redeemed himself, Miguel was no pushover, and I liked that.
I was surprised by a turn things took near the very end of the story. I felt like I missed some foreshadowing or something, and that made it feel abrupt to me. It was still believable, though, and it's settled Amy Jo Cousins on my must-read list!
*Note: I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
This just worked for me on every level. It made me tear up a little, which I normally don't appreciate, but I just really felt for these boys! Both weThis just worked for me on every level. It made me tear up a little, which I normally don't appreciate, but I just really felt for these boys! Both were working through their own demons. Their relationship wasn't perfect, but it was very real. It's told entirely from Tom's POV, which would normally bother me, but it didn't. A more coherent review is coming soon, but I loved it!
Full review: Tom used to be the wealthy son of a wealthy man. All of that changed when his father went to jail for fraud. He’d stolen millions from people, leaving them, and his son broke. Tom has just a few semesters left of college, so he sets to work driving a cab and sleeping in his car so he can earn money to afford the tuition it will take to finish college and have a chance at getting back on his feet. He’s exhausted and happy to finally be admitted into the off campus dorm for older students, but when he enters the room he finds Reese, who is NOT happy to see Tom. Reese had been promised a single occupancy dorm room and he’s not going to share the complicated story of how that came to happen. When they can’t get the college to reassign them to different rooms, Reese sets out on a campaign to make straight man Tom uncomfortable enough to leave of his own accord. So Tom finds himself coming home again and again to sit in the hall listening to his roommate having sex with other guys. And he starts to wonder how straight he is and what’s going on with his new roommate anyway?
This book worked for me on every level. It’s not a light book, but there was plenty of humor, especially with Tom and Reese’s best friends. You’ve got Tom coming out to himself about his feelings toward Reese, but still struggling with all the crap life has dealt him and just having too much on his plate. And you’ve got Reese, figuring out how to deal with his past. The guys cause each other more pain, but it’s not intentional. It actually made me cry, which I usually hate, but it was so sad and so sweet in parts that I had to cry.
All that makes it sound like it’s a downer of a book, but it’s NOT. It’s full of hope. There are no magic penises. There’s no super-healing amateur sex therapy. In fact there’s actual therapy with an actual therapist, and it’s helpful, but it’s not overnight. So, no magic, but lots of hope, and Tom and Reese doing what they need to do to get better for each other.
Besides all that, there’s some super hot sex and sexual tension. This author can write sex scenes! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
Note: the cover reminded me of Heidi Cullinan’s college series, which I loved. I’d say if you liked that one you’ll like this one, and vice versa, though Cullinan’s series has a bit lighter feel to it. ...more
Sage is a modern day Rapunzel. She’s was raised by her grandmother in a very unorthodox and extreme feminist manner. It’s left her very sheltered and Sage is a modern day Rapunzel. She’s was raised by her grandmother in a very unorthodox and extreme feminist manner. It’s left her very sheltered and naïve about a lot of things and very suspicious and judgmental about others. She even got her college degrees through online studies. It’s not until she’s starting her PhD that she has many interactions with the outside world at all. So she’s very, very surprised when she looks out her office window and into a classroom window and sees a nude man. She’s also curious, and scared that her grandmother will get the man in trouble, so she dashes down and into the classroom. That’s where she meets her prince, Ryan Prince, nude model for drawing classes.
As a contemporary set fairy tale retelling, this story does an incredible job. As a romance it really isn’t very good at all. I think if I’d gone into it just looking for a fairy tale, I’d have enjoyed it more. However, it was listed as a romance, and that brings certain expectations with it, and unfortunately it didn’t meet those expectations.
For me, reading a romance means reading a story that is centered on a romantic relationship between the main characters. In this story there is a romantic relationship, but the focus of the story is on Sage’s personal journey, and Ryan is just one of many characters in that journey, and he’s actually not even in the majority of the story. Additionally, Sage’s journey ended up reminding me of a Danielle Steel novel – the kind where you walk with the main character through the darkest times in their life. I avoid stories like this if I can. While this one wasn’t as extreme as some examples I’ve read, I just don’t appreciate watching the heroine struggle and be taken advantage of. It doesn’t make the resolution and happy ending sweeter for me, it just brings me down. Another strike against the story is that its main subject is feminism as much as it is the fairy tale and much more than it is the romance. I consider myself a feminist, so I bring that bias in with me when I read the story. I don’t mind a story that features feminism, and I don’t even mind about reading the costs and benefits of a life with and without feminism. I did get tired of it being so much of what the story was about. On the positive side, it was an extremely creative retelling of the Rapunzel story! The tower that Rapunzel was in wasn’t quite literal, but it was the way her grandmother raised her. There was even a cool look at two different types of towers Sage was kept in. I really liked this version of Rapunzel. For all of these reasons, the story was difficult for me to grade. As a fairy tale, it gets and A+. As a romance it’s a D or an F. So I’ll settle for a C+. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy a great fairy tale retelling, but don’t expect too much romance. ...more
The premise for this book was so intriguing that I would have wanted to read it even if I hadn’t enjoyed other book s from the series already. Hunter The premise for this book was so intriguing that I would have wanted to read it even if I hadn’t enjoyed other book s from the series already. Hunter is a super famous author of an incredibly popular paranormal book series turned TV series. He’s got a horrible case of writer’s block and is way behind schedule on producing the much anticipated 8th book of the series. Then he breaks every rule there is for a writer and reads the fan fiction novel his online friend “Lone Wolf” wrote. It would be perfect as the 8th book in the series.
Lone Wolf is Kevin, and he has no idea that his buddy “Wolf Hunter” is the author of the series. Then Wolf Hunter suggests they meet in person and Kevin is blown away. Blown away by Hunter’s suggestion that his novel be the 8th book in the series, blown away by how much money that could make him, and blown away by the attraction he feels towards Hunter, a man he’s long idolized.
The main conflict in this story comes from Hunter being a long time bachelor used to his own ways and space and Kevin struggling with the rapid changes happening in his life. Some of the problems could have been easily solved by the two of them talking to each other, but it was totally understandable that they didn’t.
The story sets they guys up as unequal in several different ways. Kevin is a low level white collar worker and Hunter is incredibly rich. Kevin is superfan of the Wolf’s Landing Series and Hunter is the creator of it. Kevin is an aspiring unpublished writer and Hunter is an established and successful writer. Kevin is young and Hunter is about twice his age. On top of all that, Kevin and Hunter are starting a personal relationship and business deal at the same time. Amazingly and wonderfully, all of these differences are addressed in the story and even discussed by the characters.
My only complaint is that all of these differences made me uncomfortable at times. Having a relationship with Hunter and believing all of Hunter’s advice was really a vulnerable position for Kevin to put himself into. I wanted to believe that Hunter was a good man, and, of course, he was, but at times the inequality of their… power (I think that’s the best word) made me uncomfortable.
The sex was smoking hot. I love that long before they met in real life or before Hunter read Kevin’s novel, they exchanged erotic fan fiction. They really had been friends with a lot in common for more than a year before they read in real life. Their banter had me laughing, and I appreciated their running jokes about their age difference.
This is the fourth book in the Bluewater Bay series, books about the Wolf’s Landing TV show and book series. I’ve read the first and second, and then skipped to this one. I really think each book in the series stands alone. There are characters from the previous books, but they don’t have large roles and it would be no problem reading these books out of order. So far each book in the series has been written by a different author, and I’ve enjoyed that. They’ve all been good and I’m looking forward to reading the others. I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary m/m. ...more
Robin is an inspector on the police force and he’s not thrilled to be called to scene at his old primary school. There aren’t a lot of happy memories Robin is an inspector on the police force and he’s not thrilled to be called to scene at his old primary school. There aren’t a lot of happy memories for him there. Adam is a school teacher he meets there during his investigation. They’re immediately attracted to each other, and the case keeps throwing them together, but neither of them wants to compromise the investigation. I’d read a story by this author earlier in the year and enjoyed it. I was saw this book listed on NetGalley’s romance section and I thought I’d give it a try. I thought it worked well as a mystery, but was weak as a romance. Unfortunately, I’m a romance reader who enjoys a mystery now and then, not vice versa, so it didn’t work very well for me. It’s a typical large cast who-dun-it mystery. I had a bit of hard time keeping everyone straight, but I know that’s part of the mystery. I really enjoyed that Robin and Adam had a lot of chemistry but were responsible enough to keep it in their pants during the case. It was also cute how they were happy to find reasons to contact each other. While it wasn’t a great read for me, I’d recommend it for mystery lovers. ...more
Buck Ellis was set to leave his small home town with a great college scholarship, but then his mom died and he stepped in to be a parent to his youngeBuck Ellis was set to leave his small home town with a great college scholarship, but then his mom died and he stepped in to be a parent to his younger brother. He took another blow when his best friend and secret crush, Ari, left town for Hollywood. They haven’t had any contact in years, so Buck is shocked when Ari moves in to the house next door to him! Ari’s in town to work on Wolf’s Landing, the hottest show on TV that just happens to be filmed in Ari’s home town. This story is told entirely from Buck’s point of view, which was a little disappointing, but makes sense in a novella. The pacing felt a little quick, especially with their physical relationship, but again, it was a novella. Actually, I think that it felt like it needed to be longer. There was a lot going on between Ari and Buck, though they never really talked about it. It was a good story. I liked the relationship between Ari and Buck. I thought the misunderstandings between the two of them were realistic and understandable. I did read the first story in this series, but I think this one would stand alone well. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys m/m romance. ...more