Annery

This was ... okay? free? angst free? not really a romance? Yup.

Maybe I'm being grumpy because I've read other yumminess recently but I felt that for this being a short Holiday story it necessarily needed to zero in on the MC, Mason & Steve, but what is does is gives us an expansive visit with Mason's family, the Colliers, centering with particular interest on Kade, the youngest brother, who's all things modern, progressive, and hip. In fact the Colliers are a picture postcard of modern acceptance. Cool. But we know precious little about Mason and he's one of the MC.

Next we have oodles of time spent with Sam, Steve's ex, and only other gay man in town. I gather the reader is perhaps meant to feel sorry for him but I would've happily murdered him.

Finally we know the bare minimum about Steve: he loves dogs and kind of lives up to the reputation of a stodgy, stick-up-his-ass, judgey cop. Or it was just me.

The story takes place over 2 or 3 days and Mason & Steve don't spend any significant time together until the last 20% and mostly not alone. It logically ends in a HFN which I didn't buy and I don't think the MC hold out hope that it will lead to anything lasting either. It's realistic, I agree with that, but it doesn't do much in the romance department which is what it's meant to be and I'm not talking poems & roses. Steve & Mason seem to be a thing because they find each other physically attractive and are two of the three openly gay men in this teeny New Hampshire town.

I'd say I would look forward to seeing these two work out an actual relationship. I like the writing but I don't know enough about them to care. Kade is another story. Go figure.

In which I am once again reminded that I'm not smartI've had this book (digital & audiob) for an embarrassing amount of time. I knew from the cover and blurb that I'd be a happy camper. I've more than loved quite a few [a:Heidi Cullinan 3173295 Heidi Cullinan https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1346879953p2/3173295.jpg] stories. Trusted GR friends have fawned over this and recommended it enthusiastically. So what do I do? Let it languish for eons! This makes me either a bag of rocks or a sneaky genius who likes to save reads that will hug her tight in all the right places for moments of dire need i.e. this year from hell. The jury is out on this but not the book. This was everything I wanted it to be but way better. On paper I should & shouldn't have loved this so much, but I did. Monroe ‘Roe' Davis had my heart from the first. He's one of the myriads who've had to find their own way in this cold world because of families who only know how to love conditionally. They may wear the mantle of religion or some other claptrap but in the end it's the same song and dance: “I love you but you have to be X, turn yourself into a pretzel shape, and only walk on one leg on alternate Saturdays” in other words self satisfied aggrandizement and bullshit. Roe may not have the words but he did have the intelligence to know that that was no life at all. He's been roaming for five years, doing itinerant farm work, forging no attachments, because they'll only lead to disappointment, and just existing. At the ripe old age of twenty-five (25) he gets hired at Nowhere Ranch, a kind of hobby ranch, owned by one Travis Loving, a forty-two (42) year old former math professor and it turns out king of kink. That's fine. Roe doesn't do vanilla. But let's unpack a couple of things here, in no particular order.Here goes my tired song and dance about hating Doms, the sadistic ones in particular. Travis was no different. Hate might be a strong word because he does come through for Roe when it matters but the desire to hurt your loved one, really hurt them, will never sit right with me regardless of how much the other party wants to be hurt. In any case Travis was better than most but I loved seeing him struggle, trying to prevent Roe from slipping away from him like water through clasped hands. Roe likes what Travis does to him in bed. It's the other stuff he feels Travis angling for, the relationship part, that he isn't willing to venture, partly because he can't fathom anyone being interested in him, and mostly to save himself the heartache of being discarded after the shine has dulled. So sad. But Travis is a professor after all and he knows pretty quickly what treasure he's stumbled upon. What he doesn't know is how hold on to it. Skittish horses have nothing on Roe and I loved that. Loved that despite pulling out all the kinky stops Travis can't get a handle on Roe. This is mostly because neither of them deals much in words and that's another thing I loved. Most people who are not grad students on behavioral theory or whatever don't really talk ad nauseam about how a ‘scene' makes them feel, where their desires or fears spring from etc. Maybe we should but we don't. I liked that about these two. The were quite ordinary rural men who happen to enjoy kink. Against best practices for BDSM there wasn't a safeword, just plain NO, Roe sometimes drank pre-playtime, no contracts were whipped out and signed etc. I loved it. These two are pretty compatible kink wise and on the domestic front. They have this one thing fisting which they're pretty fixated on, a goal post to reach. I've always wondered about it in the clinical sense. After some ahem research I've decided that like most sexual preferences, turn ons, fetishes etc it has more to do with a headspace thing than the actual physical pleasure. Cool. Lastly is Travis Loving, his surname, a nod to Rob Loving from [b:Training Season 18781329 Training Season (Training Season, #1) Leta Blake https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1384216250l/18781329.SY75.jpg 26690961]? What are the odds of two ‘out of the mold' Doms, westerners, Nebraska and Montana respectively, quirky kinky ranchers, having the same last name? I'm not complaining, just things that pop into my brain. I think I would've liked a brief scene from Travis's POV but in fact that would be wrong. This is Roe's story, his to tell and he's a wonderful narrator. I bled for him when he was beating himself up, thinking he was no good, when he struggled to just be after the sex was over, but overall I cracked up watching him try to resist the force that is Haley. I loved that the story took place over an extended period of time making Roe's journey to self acceptance believable. That Travis in a sense just became an anchor to hold and protect Roe when necessary was perfect. Here's to future happy reads of this piece of perfection. Perfect because it is imperfect like the people who inhabit it and the story & the people are all heart. ps. The AB by [a:Iggy Toma 13543759 Iggy Toma https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] shouldn't be listened to while trying to choose produce in the supermarket. Leaky eyes might make an appearance. Not a good look.

I had been eyeing this for a bit (wooed by the cover because I'm shallow like that) but sort of iffy because I'm not a giant fan of fairytales. Imagine my surprise at being gobsmacked by this clever retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Oddly enough it was Florence's review of a separate book that gave me the needed push. Thank you. The story takes the basic structure of B&B but [a:Aster Glenn Gray 18008035 Aster Glenn Gray https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-6a03a5c12233c941481992b82eea8d23.png] makes it wholly original and her own. No Disney sugary sweetness in sight. Instead we get British stiff upper in the face of daunting odds. The author transfers the story to England in 1940, when the British were getting pummeled by the Nazis and there was no clear path out of the darkness, figurative and literal. The Beast's curse has turned him into a dragon, fire breathing, winged, and scaly skin included. The parson doesn't barter his daughter for his freedom, but remains himself and tries to puzzle out how to help this exasperating man. I loved everything about this, the writing, the clever plot twists, the way the characters held true to how people of their time would think while, at least as pertains the parson, being expansive enough in thought to encompass different ways of being. I loved that the women in the story were not hapless damsels but rather courageous, enterprising, and smart. My cold heart melted at how love was manifested in so many different iterations. The ending is bittersweet, the characters are still living in England during WWII, but I suspect that we wouldn't read romance if we weren't optimists at heart. Also for those interested there is no heat scorching smex and I was glad of it. Instead I was left dreaming of cottage in the English country side where two men, one older and one younger, could soothe each other's wounds after surviving a hundred year curse and WWII. Perhaps with some not-perfect puppies to boot.The image of a dragon-man with a puppy in his lap is the stuff dreams are made of

I was going to toy with 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ but screw it. This was exactly the yummy goodness I've needed and frankly shouldn't be surprised that the double punch of [a:Eli Easton 7020231 Eli Easton https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1425767966p2/7020231.jpg] and [a:John Solo 7935034 John Solo https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] delivers beautifully. I loved everything about this: * Forced proximity in a snowed in cabin (feels Christmassy)* A twisty turn that gave me joy and catapulted the story to YES!!!* Size difference (but not exaggerated)* Action suspense Bruce Willis style* Insta lust that's believable & justifiedI won't get into the plot as this baby should just be enjoyed like a warm hug. Some bad things may have happened and there's danger lurking around the corner but like the best popcorn movies you know everything will turn out fine. Hutch is absolutely the best good guy. A grump who can be wooed from his funk by the right person. That person is Jude and it was just perfect. I was also irrationally tickled pink that (with a one letter variation in spelling) Jude was Jude Devereaux. [a:Jude Deveraux 28574 Jude Deveraux https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558693325p2/28574.jpg] was/is a favorite of mine during my m/f, historical, bodice ripper days. Silly, I know, but it made me smile. Lesson Learned: when GR friends recommend something pay attention. Thanks ARO

Surprise! This is a sort of Christmas story, who knew? This is one of those things I've had in my reader & Audible library for ages, the result of random shopping sprees. I'm glad.Evan is a gay man who decidedly leans toward the femme end of the rainbow spectrum. Something which has cost him his family and much more. He's finally getting his Party Planning company established but a disastrous Christmas Eve non-wedding threatens to bring it crashing down before it properly begins. A scorching night with Richard, the brother of one of the grooms, is a sweet salve but Evan's been lusting after Richard for weeks and is more than bummed at this being a one time deal. Richard is and prefers the mascs but maybe he's changing his mind?This was a sweet & short listen about preconceived ideas and biases within a community. It also had the perfect amount of sizzle and [a:Tobias Silversmith 15113203 Tobias Silversmith https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] delivers a very nice AB.

Solid 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star read.

If you're looking to turn your brain off (who's not these days) and not dwell too deeply in the corridors of reality his is a good option. The story has it's heart in the right place, the MC are sweet, nicely paired, and ooze chemistry.

I did have a hard time choosing shelves. The story flirts or alludes to a number of tropes but doesn't commit or really explore any of them seriously ... not really? Ignore me. My brain gets stuck on things.

4.75I've been debating whether to recommend reading this slowly, sip by sip, or dive in the deep end and binge. That you should read it goes without saying. This may be [a:C.L. Beaumont 15119614 C.L. Beaumont https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s debut novel but judging by the quality of the writing you wouldn't know it. Everything about this book appealed to me. The bulk of it takes place during two months in 1976, in California and Hawaii, but to me it felt epic. James ‘Jimmy' Campbell: “He's thirty-two living like he's twenty with no plans, no direction, a chain of dog tags in his sock drawer and a cheap surfboard taking up half his tiny studio. James came back from the Vietnam War just one more of the young men chewed up and spat back into society. He has no family to speak of and if it weren't for the sea, surfing, and a group of rag tag surfers around the Southern California beaches he might not be long for this world. At a surf competition in Hermosa Beach his life intersects with Danny Moore (Sydney to James, as Jimmy is James to Sydney) and nothing will be the same.Sydney is ten years James's junior but he's also an old soul. He's already legendary in surfing circles, having won tournament after tournament but he isn't well liked. Sydney has a bluntness in dealing with things and people that borders on rudeness and I suspect that if the story were set in the present he'd probably be on the Aspergers spectrum. Sydney is also known to be gay. Sydney and James meet and after an initial brief dance of push & pull are inexorably drawn to each other despite or because of their differences. The things I loved about this story are many:* The historical time setting. The mid-70s are this limbo period in American history, like a long hangover letting us get over the whirlwind of the 60s and a breather before the frenetic 80s. * The characters are not the stock characters trotted out in so many current romances* The writing is beautiful and almost elegiac * The cover is gorgeous* If you love the sea this book is for you. If you're a surfing fan you'll be in heaven. But my favorite thing was the story itself, two men discovering themselves and a way to exist in the world when they don't even know how to speak about love, much less a love that is at best ignored or at worst penalized by society. I loved how the author didn't get anachronistic and kept the characters true to their time and place. James knows he's attracted to men, has known for a while, yet he's never uttered the word gay. Doesn't think he fits the picture society paints. Sydney is perhaps a bit more advanced as far as vocabulary and acceptance of self but other than some furtive back alley blow jobs has very little practical experience. The gay world of San Francisco might as well be on the moon and the characters behave according to their lived reality. That was so refreshing. However the heart of the story lives in how once they meet and acknowledge their attraction James and Sydney are consumed by each other. They're each other's first for so many things and my heart beat with them for each small enormous leap. I was going to post a bunch of my highlights but that seemed obnoxious.

AUDIO GOODNESSAll the charm my heart desired, a capable man, a woman who is unabashedly herself, more of Cletus! [a:Chris Brinkley 8531381 Chris Brinkley https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Cielo Camargo 16870625 Cielo Camargo https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] deliver [a:Penny Reid 5997227 Penny Reid https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1548811001p2/5997227.jpg]'s low-angst, lighthearted but not fluffy story. I loved how Sienna owns her physical self and her sexuality. How she's a Latina devoid of oft trod hardship origin story and socially conservative parents. Very refreshing. I was also more than a little in love with Jethro and his capable hands. Beyond attractive. Cletus with his lists, practicality, and deviousness were the icing on this goodness cake.

Some unexpected M/F fun, a really good AB, and now I'm invested. I blame Cletus and I'm not mad about it. Good southern boys, gentlemen in the real sense of the word, beards, smart women who, though young, don't suffer fools gladly. Add to that pies and what's not to like?

For a most excellent review, one I agree with wholeheartedly see my friend's Optimist's review. It's perfect.

I did have some queries or wow moments which highlighted how Southern or removed from my life experience this story was Duane's momma has died at 47. Duane is 24. He's far from the oldest Winston brother. Turns out she shacked up with Mr. Winston at 16!!!but I like that. It's my main reason for reading. A window into other ways of life. It's a good thing.

The question of Jessica's father is left hanging, though I don't think it's a mysteryI guess this and other things will be addressed in subsequent books.

3.5Max & Hunter go on a Florida seaside summer vacation to get away from friends and family in California. The point is to define what they're going to be. Max is out, at least to their circle of friends, but Hunter is new to all of this. Until recently he had a girlfriend. One kiss from Max changed all that and now, after months of making out & more, they must decide on the next step. Will they become a couple? Officially? That would mean Hunter coming to terms with being gay or at least bi and willing to publicly be with Max.I think this is my first [a:Cooper Davis 3007539 Cooper Davis https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400173558p2/3007539.jpg] and I did the AB by [a:Brian Pallino 9871007 Brian Pallino https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. There was lots to like here:*friends-to-lovers, first-time-gay, coming-out to self & circle of friends*Opposites attract: elegant, refined, suit-wearing stockbroker + motorcycle riding construction worker*Virgin(s)The story is told from Hunter's POV and I liked the pacing and narrative voice. I think Hunter's fears, doubts, and ultimate helplessness of entering into a public relationship with Max are valid and aptly expressed. It's sad that people still have to fear coming out, that it's even a thing but it doesn't make it less real or the reasons behind it invalid. However Max & Hunter seem almost inevitable and their relationship is sweet and scorching too. There's a BK.2 but going by reviews I'm not sure I'll read it. I may be wrong but it seems that it has the potential of ruining a perfectly sweet story. That was my experience with the sequels to Anna Martin's “Another Way” and it's an experience I don't care to repeat. I'd rather let the characters live their HEA in my imaginations without further details.

Rafe is a shy veterinarian who tries to keep his interactions to those he knows & trusts and the animals he treats. The don't mind his stutter. Alex is a surgical nurse, life of the party, and fleeting flings. Or that is the persona he projects to the world. They know each other through their mutual friends Micah & Josh from [b:Memories of the Heart 23731612 Memories of the Heart (Memories, #1) Felice Stevens https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422281900l/23731612.SX50.jpg 43341781] and when those two lovebirds go on their honeymoon Alex & Rafe have cause to get better acquainted as caretakers of Lucky, the happy couple's dog. I liked this couple. Alex & Rafe are good guys who've tried to hide from painful pasts. There aren't long lasting misunderstandings, the communication is good given the time span of story, and the smex was pretty pretty hot

I had to take a breathI loved this. I'm still smiling Everett has issues. He likes to ‘rectify' things, fix them to minimize risks & danger. He has reasons and I totally empathized with him.Lake is a shy boy who never had security or care from those who should've held him dear. He lives from one precarious situation to another unsure of himself or his place in the world. Everett is going to change that. I guessed where this was going, where the possible bad wrong was heading from the first chapter and my only regret is that it didn't go deeper down that road. As it is this was a tender love story, [a:Laura Lascarso 5306920 Laura Lascarso https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1488342626p2/5306920.jpg] style. Two people finding that space where they fit in each other's lives. Yes, Everett is into control, but he's learning to respect boundaries and that sometimes things elude his prevue, however he's not giving up or changing who he is. Lake is a lucky boy being the focus of Everett's attention, he's also wise beyond his years, empathetic, and kind. Come for the dominant kinkiness, which I'm reluctant to call games, and stay for the heartwarming tale of puzzle pieces slotting into place.

3.5Micah & Josh are perfect examples of what I've come to think of as [a:Felice Stevens 8432880 Felice Stevens https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1442982853p2/8432880.jpg]'s specialty niche: nice NYC Jewish boys (men), mostly professionals with varying degrees of success, who find themselves flailing through adulthood until Eros brings them that special someone. Their tales happen in and around New York and it's such a relief to read stories realistically rooted in time and place. The other aspect is the beneficent presence of family, particularly grandmothers who are relentless in their love. All good things.Josh abandoned a successful law practice in Boston along with a cheating ex. He's taking a sabbatical and working as a barista while he regroups. One day the personification of arrogant doctor comes to Josh's coffee shop in the body of Micah. The Fates further bring them together having both their grandmothers as residents of the same assisted living facility. The relationship develops as you might expect. There's a physical attraction and I loved how the bedroom dynamics were not what you'd expect. What I wasn't so down for was that though he has “reasons” Micah went overboard in his dickish behavior one too many times and I thought Josh was far too tolerant of his tantrums having known him for such a brief period of time. Micah needed to grovel a bit or have some humble pie. But that's just me. I have a black heart. The AB is by [a:Sean Crisden 4531094 Sean Crisden https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] and he does his usual cool thing.

This is a nice final entry in a series that has kept a consistent tone in telling the different love stories for some SEALS stationed in San Diego: strong family dynamics and friends that are like family.

Renzo Bianchhi aka Rooster, he of the Health & Fitness IG, turns out to be a sensitive soul. He's 28 and more than ready to enter into a more adult stage of his life. He's also cautious of personal involvements as he's been burned.

Canaan has left behind his early avocation as a drummer in a moderately successful band (they're famous in Europe) to take care of his grandfather and become a nurse. He also works at smoothie bar where he can ogle all the SEALS he wants but his favorite by a mile is Renzo.

The initial coming together of Renzo & Canaan comes about as a fake boyfriend thing which I don't hate but also don't love. I can never take it seriously. Luckily Canaan isn't shy about talking and he drags Renzo out of his shell. They quickly acknowledge that there is something real worth exploring and that they both want to take a chance. Renzo's hangups and fears can't withstand Canaan's “can do spirit”. The boy is fearless when it comes to sex and he's pretty brave with the emotional stuff too. Renzo is a lucky guy but also very deserving of that luck.

The sex is smoking but, as usual with this series, it's the emotional intimacy that wins out. Though they have loving families Renzo & Canaan are each other's home. It was sweet.

3.75

West (36) and Shane (18) are in a reeling free fall from the loss of Carter to cancer. Carter was West's partner (they never got around to getting married) and Shane's older brother. For the usual lamentable reasons (shitty families) they only have each other to cling to. One thing leads to another and voila! age-gap, Daddy-boy, hurt-comfort goodness.

I generally liked this. This is a NTM author and I had no expectations or frame of reference. I can see and accept how a quasi fraternal affection mutated to something else. How a lost and flailing Shane woke West's dormant Daddy. How it made him feel in control of something while at the same time giving Shane some much needed structure. I liked the realistic portrayal of grief, with it's ebbs and flows, I liked that West related to Shane on a different level than how he'd been with Carter, that Shane wasn't a replacement. I liked how Shane, being an 18 y.o., was shown to still be a work in progress, learning what he liked or wanted. The sex went from the smoldering to the cathartic.

I think this is tagged as taboo and may it is a bit, sort of? younger brother of dead lover but for me that part was fine my only raised eyebrow issue was that Shane & West become a couple barely a year after Carter's death. The sex happens much sooner and that's fine as it can be seen as part of the mourning. I know there's no rule or timeline for mourning but it just struck me as a bit too soon, especially as pertains West, but that's just my two cents..

There's mention of other characters which I'm guessing part of a series from the author, and though it made me curious (as I'm sure was intended), this is an absolute standalone.

Recommended for when your in the mood the feel some sadness with your romance.

4.5If you're looking for something different, off the beaten path, you're in good hands with [a:K.L. Hiers 19476909 K.L. Hiers https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1566065058p2/19476909.jpg] and in this offering she doesn't disappoint.Thomas Hills is an embalmer, a perfectionist of his craft, with perhaps too much empathy for his clients, the dead and the living. As a result he finds himself at thirty five (35) as lonely as a dog without his master. Luckily there is one not too far away.Cypress Holmes is that master. He's forty one (41) the owner, florist, and current delivery person of Doyle's Flowers. His frequent trips to Crosby-Ayers Funeral Home has fostered admiration between him and Thomas, though self-effacing, shy, low self esteem Thomas thinks it's one sided. It's not.There's lots to love in this story. I'll start with that.Here's a description of Thomas: “He was quite pale with chin length mousy brown hair, and his big blue eyes gave him an owlish appearance.” (Made me think of the late David Foster Wallace). He has no washboard abs or eyes to drown in. He's not rich or possessed of any superpower save that he's good at his job and proud of it. Cypress is a Black man living in America today. He comes from a good and loving family, is the proprietor of his own business and has no back story of misery & woe. He is smart, self sufficient, knows who he is and what he wants. Who he wants is Thomas. He wants to watch Tom come apart and fly under his tender ministrations. Yes, this is a BDSM romance, some pain to bring you pleasure, and pleasure was had by those involved. I confess to being fastidious about Doms but I generally liked Cypress. He treats Tom as the adult he is, confining their bedroom dynamics to that, the bedroom. He never tries to manage Tom's professional life, showing only the logical care and concern any romantic partner would. Usually I'm leery of BDSM as a substitute for therapy, but that wasn't the case here. What Cypress gives Tom is a way to channel the grief he bottles up after dealing with the dead & the bereaved, guidance to structure his time, and something to look forward to after long hard hours of soul crushing work. If this “help” comes in the form of sexual bliss Tom's not complaining.I would certainly recommend this for those wanting a romance rooted in an adult relationship between recognizable modern humans, inhabitants of a diverse society. I loved that aspect and Tom & Cypress as a couple. Their square pegs fit in each other's round holes. What I didn't like were things that I think can easily be remedied by stricter editing:* The perhaps excessive rendering of mmhmm & hmm was distracting* IMO the side plot shenanigans at the funeral home weren't what brought Tom & Cypress together, nor were they central to the story. Maybe less about them.*** The author is an embalmer, and it shows in the meticulous, detailed, and knowledgeable way she describes Tom's work. I greatly appreciated the accuracy but I also feel that some of it, when it's a reiteration, could've been scaled back. It would tighten the story and allow it to hone more sharply on Tom & Cypress's relationship where it deserves to be.Recommended. Enjoy. xoxoI received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sweet story about an established couple, kids and all, making the East Coast to West Coast migration.

Marco, a SEAL is being transferred by the Navy to San Diego and while he and his husband Alex are both sad to be leaving the house they've made a home, full of milestones & memories, and the community that supports them, Alex is also leaving his job. A sobering reality of life as a military spouse. Luckily Marco & Alex are solid and absolutely supportive of each other.

The story takes place in the Out of Uniform universe. You don't have to have read the series but if you have seeing some of the couples show up is sweet, Ben & Maddox in particular who lead the welcoming committee. It's a beautiful thing. The spirit of this series continues solidly being about family and community, something we all need and which the author gifts her characters with.

I liked this. [a:Greg Boudreaux 15087355 Greg Boudreaux https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] does his usual great job delivering this installment of [a:Annabeth Albert 6477494 Annabeth Albert https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1497461817p2/6477494.jpg]'s series about San Diego/Coronado Navy SEALS. This time around we have Petty Officer Bacon, whom we've met in prior books, and Spencer Bryant, renowned journalist and smoking hot silver fox. Bacon became a SEAL to escape small town bigotry and hate. He's found a home with his brothers but he also struggles with their casual gay slurs as he identifies as PAN. Spencer's hopes of becoming a dancer were dashed by injury but he's forged a successful journalist, one who writes books and appears on NPR. His latest assignment is to be embedded with a SEAL Team. His handler? Bacon, of course.This was a relatively angst free story between two men who despite their outward differences are smart enough, patient enough, to get to know each other beyond the surface and guess what? They have more in common than not. That and mad attraction for one another, smoking sexual compatibility and we're in romance heaven. I loved the relationship dynamics, how Bacon is the one to push for it in spite of being the SEAL, how Spencer gets to take care of Bacon, and how they just fit.

4.5There's something to be said about Truth in Advertising. Right or wrong it makes me feel like not everything is belly up. A promise made and kept goes a long way to warming my cold cold heart. [a:Colette Davison 17282786 Colette Davison https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1559977072p2/17282786.jpg] keeps her word and [a:Dan Calley 19271091 Dan Calley https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] delivers another warm hug to the soul.Felix is 25 and on the cusp of making it into A list celebrity status but after being a child model and later an actor his whole life he needs and takes a break. Said break lands him, first time homeowner, new puppy in tow, in a seaside community in the north of England. Luckily his house shares a lot with Liam's, a retired detective, giant barrel of a man with a beard close to his chest and a forbidding countenance. He also happens to grow roses and harbor a deep need for care giving which he tries to hide with growly monosyllabic answers. He doesn't stand a chance in the face of Felix's good cheer, easy disposition, and willingness to be cared for.Can you tell I loved this? I listened to it twice because I thought maybe I was just feeling sappy given our current climate. But no. This is that rare story that manages to check ALL the romance boxes without dipping into made-up drama, faux angst, UST, or being ridiculously OTT. The care-taker Daddy and his willing boy aspect is the perfect dash of savory to cut the sweet. Liam took early retirement because the world he saw as a London DC left him with a grim view of humanity but the Fates are kind to him and gift him with Felix (was ever a character more aptly named?). Felix is, as Liam realizes, made of sunshine: not syrupy sweet (though he is sweet), treacly, or naive but warm, comforting, life affirming, and a light in the darkness. Exactly what Liam needs. And Liam is what Felix wants. I loved that Felix wanted Liam's care and not that he needed it. There's a difference. Felix is young and has had many of his day to day needs taken care of by others because that's the nature of the industry he works in but he's not incapable of doing for himself. He chooses to let Liam guide him and care for him. Perfect. As for the rest? Some spanking, some voyeurism, some made to order toys and we have a delightful Daddy/boy story with the perfect balance of kink and RL romance. Dan Calley is pitch perfect in the chosen voices for both MC. His American accent on a female character? Iffy at best but she's only on page briefly so no biggie. The story centers almost solely on the development of the relationship between Felix & Liam and happily so. It's like a two person play with some kinky goodness as a plus. Recommended to anyone in need of a little sunshine. All of us. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.More good stuff on the blog

3.5I'm sad to say that this has been a series of diminishing returns. In hind sight I'd venture to say that [b:Deep Desire 25412838 Deep Desire Z.A. Maxfield https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429794588l/25412838.SY75.jpg 6757064] a.k.a. [b:Notturno 6564154 Notturno (Deep #1) Z.A. Maxfield https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1245983162l/6564154.SY75.jpg 6757064] works perfectly well as a standalone. Don't get me wrong, BK.2 & 3 are interesting and well written but ... I could've done without them. Luckily [a:Caleb Dickinson 14015410 Caleb Dickinson https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] pulled me through. So what's may issue with this 3rd book? Well it wasn't so much a continuation or development of the romance between Adin & Donte but rather Adin out in the world, going through some logical growing pains in his new state of being. That's fine. I guess. It just got long and a tad tedious with Adin & Donte separated for long stretches, conversations that needed to be had, and things that needed to be done shelved and procrastinated on until problems inevitably ensued. We also get swept into the existence of a whole host of other paranormal beings, which it makes sense they exist in this world but whose relevance, IMO, brought nothing to the table as far as the development of relationship between the MC. Adin, whose evolution and journey this concentrates on, I know he's dealing with big, unsolicited changes but he could sometimes act like a petulant child placing himself and others in danger. As for the type of vampires in this story? I think I prefer the Lestat variety: unrepentant predators & true to their kind. RANDOM THOUGHTS: The vampires here try to gussy up feeding by doing so from human thralls. They don't kill them but rather transact an exchange where the vampire provides the human with a fantasy and sexual pleasure and the human offers life giving blood. The vampire marks his thralls when he feeds from them and supposedly has a deep emotional connection with them. When no thrall is at hand they practice the same glamour on random strangers. The idea being that by giving the human sexual pleasure the transaction is an even exchange. I didn't see it that way. The vamps got sustenance from strangers by providing them with Os & planting thoughts in their mind. It uncomfortably made me think of a date rape situation where you hadn't even agreed to go on a date. Like the only thing a human can fantasize and yearn for is sexual gratification. The thralls in turn are nothing more than blood udders that are kept alive for expediency sake and to keep up the illusion that the vamps are oh so civilized. I would prefer straight up killers who make no bones about not being human and live by their own code. If you're a completist go ahead. I did and I'm glad I did but it won't be revisited unlike BK.1As alway YMMV.

Well ... if you're prepared to go into the more serious corners of BAD-WRONG [a:R.J. Moray 14368949 R.J. Moray https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1597393033p2/14368949.jpg] isn't afraid to take you there. If you can put on blinders to what's going on and enjoy a well written piece of smut (I mean it as a sincere compliment) this will serve you well. I won't go further in my comments as I get the impression that this is the beginning of a story that will be fleshed out and continued. I hope so.

OMFG

I did the AB by [a:Alexander Cendese 4419118 Alexander Cendese https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] & [a:Iggy Toma 13543759 Iggy Toma https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and they basically phoned in their performance. Can't say I blame them. The story is fine. If you're a fan of Hollywood rom-coms, the ones that have only a passing familiarity with RL people, problems, and situations you'll enjoy this. There's banter, likable characters, and romance. What's not to like? I had a few things but they're inconsequential and I'll just put them under the spoiler tag. I could've done with one or two less issues, particularly as they aren't treated with any kind of seriousness: Maddox "discovers" he's actually bi and it's like realizing he likes Rocky Road AND pistachio! Nothing to lose sleep over. In fact he pretty speedily becomes a hungry bottom. There's a secret parentage, debilitating illness, fear of commitment, loss of dreams, etc etc etc Damon spends loads of time doubting Maddox's intentions due to past history and then there was the whole apartment situation followed and the graduation fiasco. To me the humor read between juvenile and retro, I was just exhausted by the end and I could've done with maybe 50 less pages.

I hadn't read MF in a minute and this hit the spot. I did the audio by [a:Douglas Berger 19977739 Douglas Berger https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Holly Chandler 15009261 Holly Chandler https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and they strike a good balance. Anna and Jason live in different worlds, as far as society is concerned, yet when they meet the attraction is undeniable. That doesn't mean that the things that separate them aren't real and the author does a good job of not ignoring reality. She chooses to make the characters work through these issues and that was refreshing. Though this ends in a strong HFN and there's a BK.2 it can very well work as a standalone. I'm listening to the next book. I like these two.

One fine day Simon walks into Jay's bar and the stars align for romance to bloom. This was a lovely surprise made sweeter by [a:Richard Franklin 312425 Richard Franklin https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s narration. There's a world separating Jay and Simon but affinity, attraction, and ultimately love are more compelling and bring them together. I like how [a:Bonnie Dee 1166851 Bonnie Dee https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1453816802p2/1166851.jpg] didn't shy away from the differences between Simon and Jay but doesn't let the story dwell on them, making this a treatise on race and class, but rather showing how these can be a bonus and complimentary to a relationship: Jay smoothes Simon's sharp corners and Simon tempers Jay's impulsivity. Together they're beautiful. I liked that by the end they didn't suffer some kind of personality transplant. They continued to be themselves. Just a better version. My one complaint is that I think the author, via Jay & Simon, gives too much leeway to crappy relatives however, in a fit of honesty, I must admit that we probably all do the same in RL. sigh