Befriending the Bear is the sixth book in Nora Phoenix’s Forestville Silver Foxes series. This is the first full-lenA Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Befriending the Bear is the sixth book in Nora Phoenix’s Forestville Silver Foxes series. This is the first full-length novel in the series to branch beyond the original group of best friends, so I was curious to see how it would play out and I really enjoyed the story. The tone and setting brought me right back to Forestville, even without seeing the main group of characters beyond a couple of quick cameos. It also means this story is very accessible to new readers who may not be familiar with the original cast, but still brings back a sense of continuity with the same setting and various side characters.
I really liked this one and enjoyed reconnecting with this small town. I’d recommend Building the Bear both to series fans, as well as new readers looking to jump into this world.
Patchwork is the third book in K.M. Neuhold’s Ink Slingers series, featuring a group of tattoo artists and close frieA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Patchwork is the third book in K.M. Neuhold’s Ink Slingers series, featuring a group of tattoo artists and close friends. While we do spend some time with the other guys, plot-wise this one stands alone well and you could jump in here. I really enjoyed this one and found Hero and Onyx such an appealing couple together. The chemistry between them is palpable and this is a high heat story. It is so clear how much these guys care about each other, and there is a nice warmth to the story. There are so many nice little moments where the men are hanging around the house or doing routine things where it is clear how happy these small domesticities make both of them.
I found this one to be my favorite installment so far in this series, and I really love these books and the overall world Neuhold has created. If you are a fan of the series, you won’t want to miss this story, and newer readers who enjoy rock star or small town romance will find a lot to enjoy.
One One Island got my attention as soon as a saw “shipwrecked on a deserted island,” with the bonus of age gap and boA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
One One Island got my attention as soon as a saw “shipwrecked on a deserted island,” with the bonus of age gap and boss’ son. I am happy to say that I really loved this one and was completely caught up in the story. The book sets up with introduction to Hank and Elliot, making clear that Hank is a structured, orderly guy who typically follows the rules, while Elliot is more of a free spirit, with a jerk of a father who treats him horribly.
I really enjoyed this one a lot and found the story super engaging and the characters well developed. Fans of forced proximity should particularly like this one, but I think it will be a hit with a lot of readers.
Fangs and Flesh is the second book in T.J. Nichols’ Hunting Hearts series, and follows pretty closely on the heels oA Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Fangs and Flesh is the second book in T.J. Nichols’ Hunting Hearts series, and follows pretty closely on the heels of book one, Bullets and Blood. To avoid spoilers for that book, I’ll just say that those MCs, Nix and Lance, connect with the Reid family in the first story, drawing the Reids into the conflict with the Orlans. So this story builds upon the series arc and the world building started in the first book, but you could probably jump in here if desired.
I am really liking this series and it was fun to shift focus to another vampire family and learn more about this world. Thing set up here for the next book and it looks to be another interesting story. I’ll be looking forward to more.
Mr Collins in Love by Lee Welch is alternate retelling/spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, giving us the peA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Mr Collins in Love by Lee Welch is alternate retelling/spinoff from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, giving us the perspective of a side character in that book. It has the feel of looking behind the scenes and getting to know what was really going in with a character who was previously only seen through the eyes of the leads of the main story. I am not very familiar with the original book, and while I have seen numerous movie adaptations, I am definitely not well versed in the story or the characters, so I was coming into this somewhat cold. I had no problem picking this one up and enjoying this story at face value, without the added layer of getting the alternate perspective on William, so I think this is very accessible to new readers. But I think people who have a prior viewpoint on him as a character from Pride and Prejudice might particularly enjoy this story where we get to know him in a different way.
Dead Serious Valentyne is a short holiday novella that fits after the final Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed sA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Dead Serious Valentyne is a short holiday novella that fits after the final Crawshanks Guide to the Recently Departed story and features all of the couples we have me throughout the series (with the exception of Sam and Harrison who aren’t actually together at this point). As such, this one is definitely best read by those familiar with the series and these characters. I do love these folks and it was fun to reconnect with them. Nick and Aidan are particularly sweet, as two young men who have been through a lot and are now finding love together. There is a nice “twitterpatted” vibe between them, though they do also have a sexy moment. I am really hoping that as this world expands, we will get more of their story.
Sucker Love is the first book in the Sugar Pill duet by Rise Cruise and I was really blown away by this debut story. A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Sucker Love is the first book in the Sugar Pill duet by Rise Cruise and I was really blown away by this debut story. It is heavily character driven with wonderful development of both Luca and Noel. The story is emotional and intense, super sexy, and had me totally drawn in from the beginning.
I found them fascinating and the story so engrossing, I could hardly put it down. I am quite blown away that this is a debut book, as the writing is just excellent and the characters so well developed. I am so looking forward to the conclusion and can’t recommend this story enough.
High Stakes and Soulmates is the third book in Alice Winters Fanged Mistakes series. While the first two books featuA Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
High Stakes and Soulmates is the third book in Alice Winters Fanged Mistakes series. While the first two books feature vampire leader, Casimir, and his werewolf partner, Julian, this story shifts the focus to Cyrus and Ezio, two side characters in the first books. While we are dealing with a new relationship here, I think these are best read in order, as the story relies on understanding some past events and knowing a bit about the characters.
It was fun to get a look at this second relationship with Cyrus and Ezio, as well as to reconnect with Julian and Casimir. I will look forward to seeing where things go from here.
Thrall is the third book in Katey Hawthorne’s The Rade series, following the members of a world-famous fae rock band. WA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Thrall is the third book in Katey Hawthorne’s The Rade series, following the members of a world-famous fae rock band. While we met Wren in prior books and the other band members show up here, the story stands alone well for new readers who want to jump in here. The set up here is interesting and the story does a nice job addressing the consent issues with regard to August accidentally summoning Wren. While it was unintentional, August has essentially captured Wren and placed them under his thrall. Not only can Wren not stray far from August, but August can also control Wren if he chooses. So this is obviously a huge violation and Wren is understandably angry and terrified.
This is another entertaining installment and a great pick for folks who like rock star romances, as well as fae fantasy.
Accidental Bond is the first book in Mika Nix’s new Damned Mercenaries series and it is set in the same world as thA Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Accidental Bond is the first book in Mika Nix’s new Damned Mercenaries series and it is set in the same world as the authors’ Drake Security series. We met Mack in book four of that series, Inferno, as the younger brother of the main group of dragons. Mack had gotten himself in trouble by stealing from the wrong demon and his older brothers had to bail him out (thus leading to Valentino and Montrose’s love story along the way). I enjoyed the way that story introduces a younger brother outside of the main clutch, so it was fun to then get Mack’s book here, which is set a couple of years later. This one definitely works as a standalone, and the older Drake brothers are mentioned, but don’t appear here. But fans of the Drake Security series should enjoy the similar tone to this story and the chance to reconnect with that world.
Overall, I found this a really fun start to a new series. I am enjoying being back in this world and love the way the authors connected the series, but are still taking things in some new directions. I enjoyed meeting the other guys in Auri’s gang of mercenaries and each was intriguing in their own way. I am looking forward to following along as the series continues.
Wicked Games is the first book in Willow Dixon’s new Silvercrest U series. It takes place at an elite, private university that caters to the uber-wealWicked Games is the first book in Willow Dixon’s new Silvercrest U series. It takes place at an elite, private university that caters to the uber-wealthy an entitled offspring of rich and powerful people. As the story opens, Felix’s family has just died and he is being forced to move in with Killian and neither of them are happy about it. Felix is pretty sure Killian hates him and he keeps up a mask of indifference to hide his anxiety. But Felix is also kind of a brat and he pushes Killian’s buttons, and it isn’t long before the guys both realize that the whole dynamic makes them hot. Once they recognize their interest, this book goes straight into lots of heat, lots of sex, and a bit of kink, with a dose of stepbrother taboo. Killian is all rage and intensity and ferocity, while Felix loves to push him until he explodes and lets it all out via lots of hot sex. While neither of the guys has ever been interested in men, they both accept their attraction pretty easily; they don’t really consider themselves bi either, FWIW, as they are not attracted to guys other than each other. But either way, expect lots of heat and intensity and sex from this one.
All of that was kind of what I was anticipating from the blurb, but I didn’t realize that there is also a bit of a mystery/thriller element when someone threatens Felix’s life. It sort of percolates on the back burner for much of the story and flares up now and then, but I think it adds a little something extra, which works well to keep the story from being a non-stop sexathon. I did find the resolution fairly unsatisfying, for reasons I can’t explain without spoilers, so be warned (spoilers are behind the tags).
I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard “resurrected by his ex-boyfriend” and this story did not disappointA Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
I was eager to read this book as soon as I heard “resurrected by his ex-boyfriend” and this story did not disappoint. In fact, it totally blew me away and I couldn’t put it down. Alexander C. Eberhart has created a fascinating and compelling urban fantasy that just kept me totally engrossed and on the edge of my seat. The book starts with a glossary that is helpful in setting the framework of the world building, but essentially there are four types of mages, each with their own magical abilities and role in society.
The story is a slow burn on the romance end, but Tobias is building a relationship with three men. This is a “harem-style” story, according to the blurb, so it appears this will be a poly story in some form, but the exact shape isn’t totally clear.
This is the first of a series, so we get to a natural stopping point here, but the story has more to go as the books continue. I am completely all in and cannot wait for the next installment.
The Himbo Hitman is a fun story about an unlikely hitman whose botched job leads him to true love. I liked the premisA Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
The Himbo Hitman is a fun story about an unlikely hitman whose botched job leads him to true love. I liked the premise of this one and I think that it delivers nicely in many ways, but didn’t fully work for me in others. First, this is quirky fun and I think there is enough humor here to keep things light and entertaining. It does veer toward the silly at times, and to a lack of realism in others, but most of the time I think the tone hits well. This is a long story and, for the most part, it kept me engaged throughout.
However, I think a lot of how you feel about this story is going to fall on how you feel about Perry.
Moonrising is the debut book from Claire Barner and I really loved this one. I think the world building and the set uA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Moonrising is the debut book from Claire Barner and I really loved this one. I think the world building and the set up is quite interesting. This is a book set in the relatively near future (how is 2073 less than 50 years away!), so while it is more advanced than our current world, it still feels very familiar. The problems they are facing are a logical extension of those from our own time, particularly the devastating toll of climate change. Parts of the world are increasingly uninhabitable, food production is becoming limited, and the wealth gap between the rich and poor is widening.
I found myself very engaged with all four characters’ journeys and really loved the near future setting and how it builds on our current world. There are a lot of interesting ideas here to explore and I was very caught up in the story. I think this is a wonderful debut book and I will definitely be looking forward to more from Barner.
The Team is the third book in N.R. Walker’s fabulous Milvus Files series, a set of high-octane thrillers that I am toA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Team is the third book in N.R. Walker’s fabulous Milvus Files series, a set of high-octane thrillers that I am totally loving. The first two books focus on a different couple, Harry and Asher, who meet Rhett and Jay in book two, The Bait. There are some plot connections and references here to events in the first two books, and their friend Yunho appears as a side character, with Harry and Asher having some cameos.The series also loosely connects to Walker’s Tallowwood, but this third book doesn’t have any crossover with that story.
I think this was an interesting way to continue to develop the series, as the story feels tied in with the first two books, but the focus shifts. We not only have a new couple with Rhett and Jay, but also to a full squad who are working as a team, versus lone wolves Harry and Asher.
Pucked Up is the second book in E.M. Lindsey’s Punk as Puck series featuring a group of para hockey players. While thisA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Pucked Up is the second book in E.M. Lindsey’s Punk as Puck series featuring a group of para hockey players. While this one features a new couple in Hugo and Boden, the timeline for the book overlaps with the first story, Zero Pucks. We see Hugo’s arrival to the team in that first book, as well as Boden’s angry reaction to him and his initial attempts at sabotage. We get a more detailed version of those early events here in this book from Hugo and Boden’s POVs, but I do think it worked well to read these books in order, as you really get the fuller story that way.
I continue to love the found family aspect of this series, something that Lindsey is so good at.
Viscounts & Villainy is the third book in Allie Therin’s Roaring Twenties Magic trilogy, a spin-off on the author’s fA Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
Viscounts & Villainy is the third book in Allie Therin’s Roaring Twenties Magic trilogy, a spin-off on the author’s fabulous Magic in Manhattan series. You are definitely going to want to read this series in order, as the plot builds across the books. And honestly, to get the most enjoyment from these books, I suggest starting with the first series. All these books are amazing and I can’t recommend them highly enough, so do yourself a favor and start from the beginning.
I am so glad that Therin decided to give these two Magic in Manhattan side characters their own trilogy, because I have found these books just fabulous. The stories are exciting and the characters are wonderful and this trilogy has been so much fun. If you haven’t checked these books out, I highly recommend them.
Bull’s Boy is a sexy story with a bit of Daddy kink that is set in the world of Kiki Clark’s Leather and Chrome series.A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Bull’s Boy is a sexy story with a bit of Daddy kink that is set in the world of Kiki Clark’s Leather and Chrome series. This one is listed as a standalone, since neither man is part of the motorcycle club featured in the main series, but there is some significant side character crossover. Bull’s brother, Marvin, is in the club, and we see some of the other members here as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I liked being back in the Leather & Chrome world. Malcolm and Bull are appealing characters and this is an entertaining and sexy story.
The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior is the first book in Ellie Ash’s The Lost Art series. Ash sets up some intereA Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior is the first book in Ellie Ash’s The Lost Art series. Ash sets up some interesting world elements here, with Mage Warriors who can control the various elements. We get a few scenes where we see them use their skills and there are some fun moments where Brennal uses his considerable abilities to aid in the bedroom antics. We also learn that most of the what the Mage Warriors deal with is fighting against various types of demons and there is mention of a past demon attack that killed many people, as well as a sense of people fearing demon attacks. However, while I think the framework is nice here, there isn’t a ton of depth to the world building, more of just the basic overview.
Black & White by Vinni George is the first book in the ORCA series, following a group of orca shifter brothers. It is aA Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Black & White by Vinni George is the first book in the ORCA series, following a group of orca shifter brothers. It is a fated mates story between two ocean-based shifters, which isn’t something we see often and added a fun world building element. Things kick off with a bang as we follow Nero as he is tracking down a “skip” who hasn’t shown up to court, ultimately catching him using his huge and powerful orca shifter side. When he brings in the bad guy, one of Nero’s cop friends asks him to help out guarding Felix, which then jump starts these guys realizing they are fated mates. Given the mate bond, Felix and Nere are pretty much all in immediately, so there isn’t much tension or conflict on the relationship side, mostly seeing them explore things both personally and sexually. I think given all the external conflicts, that worked fine for me, and I enjoyed these guys together.