HOT SPRINGS DRIVE is my first read by Lindsay Hunter, but will definitely not be my last. Disclaimer, I did the audiobook for this one via @4.5 stars!
HOT SPRINGS DRIVE is my first read by Lindsay Hunter, but will definitely not be my last. Disclaimer, I did the audiobook for this one via @librofm and I'm not entirely sure if my experience listening and reading would be the same. The story is centered around a group of neighbors and friends, specifically Jackie and her best friend Theresa. The two are not only best friends, but they're going through the trials and tribulations of motherhood and marriage. Their bond is tight, but when Jackie ends up having an affair with Theresa's husband, their lives are changed forever.
I'm purposely being vague about this one, so don't read any spoilers. HOT SPRINGS DRIVE is basically about a neighborhood all having hardcore sex with each other and then someone dies. I won't got into it anymore than that so don't ask! I absolutely had a blast with this one, but the plot is mainly internalized characterizations for all the characters the author presents us. This book dives into sex and sexuality, role of the family unit, lust and desire, and the lengths people will go to in order to protect their peace. I very rarely give 4.5 stars for a book, but I just had so much fun with this one. Lindsay Hunter is officially an auto-read author for me from here on out. ...more
Sebastian J. Plata's debut novel, SEEING STRANGERS is literally a gay relationship's worst nightmare coming true.
Full disclaimer before picking this Sebastian J. Plata's debut novel, SEEING STRANGERS is literally a gay relationship's worst nightmare coming true.
Full disclaimer before picking this book up, this book is for a niche market (specifically the gay community) and may not be understood otherwise, so if you are not part of the LGBTQ+ community and pick this up, go in with full understanding that it will be different from what you expect.
Greg Kelly and his husband Cristian are married and preparing for their first child together via surrogacy. Living in Bushwick, Brooklyn, Greg is a translator at an IT startup and Cristian is an artist who Greg met while living in Spain in their early 20s. Greg's sexual appetite is a lot more intense than Cristian's and the two decided to open their marriage so the two can explore their sexuality with other people. As they approach fatherhood and their mid-thirties (Greg being 34 and Cristian being 35), the couple decides to forge a path of monogamy once the baby arrives. Greg's escapades begin to cause havoc onto the couple—especially when one fling chooses to take matters in his own hands.
This book messed me up. Before I begin and people decide to butt into my personal life, my marriage is monogamous. That being said, I do know people in open relationships, and it's had varying levels of success for them. I think every gay relationship has a moment in their lives where they question if polyamory would be for them—whether they'd actually want to do it or not. This book scared the F outta me because having trysts with people who could potentially seek and destroy what you love most is my worst nightmare. This book is steamy AF and juicy as hell, and when the book turns upside down, you'll be on the edge of your seat. I read this book in two sittings because sleep got in the way. However, I will be closely tuning into what this author has next for readers.
I don't normally read romance, but when I do it needs to be MM romance! Christopher Rice's Sapphire Sunset is steamy and fun, but ultimately the pI don't normally read romance, but when I do it needs to be MM romance! Christopher Rice's Sapphire Sunset is steamy and fun, but ultimately the perfect romance novel for those who want to read honest depictions in gay relationships. Literally, this book is White Lotus with a MM romance spin. I read this book in two sittings and I am so happy that Christopher Rice is creating a series in this genre. I will be first in line for each of them....more
Caroline Kepnes is one of those authors that I have been sleeping on for awhile, and I don't know why! Seriously folks, what the heck was wrong with mCaroline Kepnes is one of those authors that I have been sleeping on for awhile, and I don't know why! Seriously folks, what the heck was wrong with me for waiting this long to pick up the exceptional YOU?! I always knew that I was eventually going to read something by Ms. Kepnes, but after spying on YOU at the bookstore (wink wink just like the story), I just knew it was time to read it. I'm so glad that I picked it up, because now that I know it's becoming a series, I will gladly watch and complain about how this doesn't live up to Kepnes's novel.
When strikingly beautiful Guinevere Beck (nicknamed Beck) stumbles into this local bookstore managed by Joe Goldberg, an immediate connection has been made. The connection is more than just chemistry, it's fate. However, this connection appears to be only one-sided. Joe is enamored by Beck and begins to cyber-stalk her through social media. In all fairness, I did some "research" on my current boyfriend before going on the first date too... After awhile, Joe begins to monitor and track everything Beck is doing through her cyber connections with people—email, Twitter, and Facebook become a goldmine of information for Joe to capture and catalog. Joe soon loses all control and obsessively tries to infuse himself into Beck's life and there's nothing anybody can do to stop him. As Joe and Beck begin to form some sort of relationship, Joe's behavior goes from creepy to totally irrational, and the lines of conscience behavior are blurred to say the least.
Alright alright alright, you have probably already read YOU and don't care to know my opinion about it, but too bad because I'm giving it anyway. The factors that make YOU stand out from the typical over-saturated psychological thriller genre are how Kepnes portrays sexuality and human behavior with her characters. Why am I secretly rooting for the villain? Why am I angry at the victim? And can the two characters switch roles? The lines are so blurred because of their human interaction and behaviors, that by diving into the psyche of Kepnes's characters, you really begin to have strong emotional responses to their behavior. YOU is not a romance novel by any means, but I will say it's slightly erotic. Embarrassingly, I was uncomfortably turned on at points which was unexpected and kind of creepy. YOU is scary in the most unique, disturbing, and original way possible. It caught me off-guard from beginning to end, so good luck trying to figure this one out.
YOU successfully blurs the lines between right and wrong, and villain and hero, through it's powerful writing and depiction of sexuality and human interaction. This is been one of the most interesting stories I've read this year, if not ever. I immediately ordered the follow up on Amazon once finishing this story.
You can find me on Instagram at @scared_str8...more