Zhan

"Look at me." Ezra gestured at himself. "I don't look like a witch."

"You look great."

Ezra's eyes widened, and Rourke chuckled.

"You do. I love that you aren't covered in piercings and tattoos. I mean if you were--your body, your choice--but I'm glad you're not."

"It's a sign I'm weak."

Rourkle growled, though not with any real heat. "You're not weak."

"I'm weak. I couldn't curse you if my life dependend on it. I can't fight you. I can't challenge you. I can't win against you."

Ezra's voice rose with each word, and Rourke reached over and covered the hands he was wringing on his lap with his. "Shh. I will fight for you. I will win for you, and you won't ever have to fight against me because I'm your mate." He caressed him with his thumb. "Strength isn't about being able to cause harm, and everyone has a role to play."

Rourke, alpha wolf of the of the Flint pack, wants to end the war with the witches, so he asks for a witch mate in hopes to form an allience with the coven. To his surprise (but no complaints), he gets a male witch Ezra, but it's only after the mating is done that he finds out that the witches don't care about Ezra and, moreover, they don't plan to stop the fighting.

There were many things I liked in this book and some things that bothered me. The relationship between Rourke and Ezra starts with a dub-con. Rourke believes that Ezra volunteered to be his mate. while Ezra believes he has no choice. Rourke checks in with him a lot during their first time sleeping together, but Ezra doesn't even understand that he's allowed to object. When Rourke finds out that Ezra was forced into mating, he is angry (not at Ezra), but the deed is already done and they are tied together for life. He tries to stay away from Ezra as much as he can before the bond flares up, but this only results in Ezra misunderstanding him and being scared of him. So, Rourke is a bit of an ass at the beginning, but this is acknowledged later on.

There wasn't any impactful "falling in love". It's more about two people - strangers and technically enemies - who are trying to make their relationship work. At the beginning, Ezra isn't even Rourke's type - Rourke is into bold people who ask for what they want, while Ezra is very shy and reserved - and he dislikes witches, as well as their numerous piercings and tattooes. But he willingly made a sacrifice to mate a witch for the sake of his pack's safety. And, as mentioned above, Ezra thought he didn't have a choice in the mating. But there is no going back for neither of them, so once Rourke realizes what Ezra's gone through, he tries to amend it and become a good mate to him.

So, I was kinda uncomfortable reading when Rourke became all touchy with Ezra who is obviously traumatized and doesn't understand a lot of things, but I also understood that Rourke is trying to let the mate bond settle properly in order for Ezra to become stronger and be able to share Rourke's strength (their bond didn't settle properly because of Ezra's unwillingness to be mated and Rourke's distance right after the mating), as well as feel safe, loved and protected by his mate.

Certain parts were really uncomfortable to read, such as those where Rourke doesn't explain things and does something without asking clearly for Ezra's consent. Rourke just assumes that Ezra knows and that there's no need to explain such things, as he's not aware of what kind of life Ezra had in his coven and possibly doesn't understand the depth of his trauma. But for what it's worth, Rourke did try to improve whenever he messed up. It was imperfect and some things left a bad taste in my mouth, but it did feel realistically flawed.

I liked that Rourke never asked Ezra to take off his piercings despite not liking them, that's really cool. I hated that we were constantly reminded about how much he dislikes Ezra's piercings.

I liked the culture of witches and werewolf packs. That was so interesting and I wish I could've learned about them more. Also, those were scary witches that cackle and make that clawing motion with their fingers when they cast curses. That was really fun to read. I liked the pack and the found family vibe, how they all accepted and protected Ezra after realizing that he's not an evil witch.

I only wish that there was more comfort. It had such potential for good hurt/comfort, but there was little comfort in my opinion.

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*General Notes*

-arranged mating, werewolf x outcast witch

-size difference (huge werewolf x tiny witch)

-CWs: abusive witch family, self-harm for the purpose of using blood magic

-MC with scars (Ezra), touch-starved MC (Ezra), traumatized MC (Ezra),

-Ezra is over 30; Rourke's age isn't specified.

*Intimacy Notes*

-Top/bottom/verse: <spoiler>strict; Ezra bottoms, Rourke tops.</spoiler>

-Kinks/sex notes: <spoiler>dub-con, biting, marking, penetration, BJs, fingering, nipple play (with piercings)... </spoiler>

-Other:

・only one bed

・little caretaking of a sick MC (Ezra)

・nicknames: honey, babe, darling, sweetheart, love...

・"you're mine" moments

・some possessiveness and protectiveness

・adopting a cat

・magic lacy oatmeal cookies

When Daniel looked at him with a tiny smile tugging at his lips and a dark curl hanging over his forehead, Cole thought his heart might swell too big for his body and explode. As a kid, he'd been in love with Daniel yet hadn't really known him. Or known what love really was. Maybe he still didn't, but his gut told him this was it.

A sweet, low-angst holiday story about two former step brothers who haven't seen each other for 10 years. They reunite when Cole has an accident and ends up with a concussion and a broken hand. The hospital calls Daniel, because Cole has put him as his emergency contact and he doesn't have anyone else to take care of him.

I enjoyed it, but - and this is totally a me thing - I wish there was more hurt/comfort part, because I feel like this story had so much potential for it, but it fell short. It's still a sweet, feel-good holiday story. And my first holiday romance too.

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*General Notes*

-Christmas, former step-brothers, age gap (Cole is around 23, not sure about Daniel, but he's at least a couple of years older than Cole)

-height difference; Daniel is 6'1'' (and a former hockey player) and Cole is 5'6''.

-Demi-awakening (Daniel)

*Intimacy Notes*

-Top/bottom/verse: <spoiler>verse, with Cole being a bossy bottom</spoiler>

-Kinks/sex notes: <spoiler>frotting in a bathtub, hot-dogging, BJs, rimming, spitting (in a hole - not as a lube), coming untouched, a hint at praise and begging...</spoiler>

-Other:

・little protectiveness from Daniel's side, but not nearly as much as I hoped for.

・both Daniel and Cole are Star Wars fans!

I paused around 30%.

I just don't think I'm in the mood for it right now and I'm not sure when/if I'll come back to it.

The book starts with Jonah being on the run from a "ghost" and I was very intrigued by this. Then it shifts back to the past, where we get to learn about Jonah, then present, then past again, where we get to see how he met Dex, when Jonah was around 20 years old, then present, then past again and it continues with past for a while.

I was very invested in 'present' plot and kinda waiting for past flashbacks to be over so we could focus on that chasing we were introduced to at the beginning. But when the 'past' continued for a while, I checked and it turns out that the 'past' is the main story. Out of 54 chapters, only 12 are set in 'present' and the rest are all in the past. And the past is set in college, where Jonah and Dex were still young.

Nothing wrong with that, but I'm just not in the mood for the college story right now. Would've preferred if the 'present' was the main plot.

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*General Notes*

-dark?

-MC with a limp

-not sure but MC might be slightly touch averse

-MC who smokes

-LI with tattoos, tongue piercing and Prince Albert piercing

-poverty

-CWs: neglectful parents, grief over death of sibling, suicidal thoughts

-MCs are around 20 years old

-Trans rep (Jonah's best friend Becca)

*Intimacy Notes*

-Top/bottom/verse: <spoiler> </spoiler>

-Kinks/sex notes: <spoiler> </spoiler>

-Other:

・note to myself: paused at the beginning of chapter 18 (Wildfire Meets Sea)

This is a heated enemies-to-lovers story that covers a period of around 8 years (possibly more, I didn't keep track of the time skips) in which our two hockey players are secretly hooking up.

So, I've watched four episodes of the TV show Heated Rivalry that's currently airing, and I think that's what helped me set my expectations right about what kind of story this is. If I went into this story blind - and especially after hearing so much praise - I think I'd be a little disappointed.

This books is very heavy on sex (you're warned!) and the connection between our main characters, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, is built mostly during the brief moments they share when they meet up for sex. Months pass before they meet each other again - again, only for a hookup - without getting involved in each other's life beyond that, and they keep at it for years until they realize that their attraction has turned into something deeper.

I did enjoy this (thus my high rating), but I do want to complain about them developing feelings without getting to know each other as a person. The thing is, I think they fit really well together, but while we, as readers, get to know both Shane and Ilya outside of their steamy meetings, the two of them don't. So, when they revealed their feelings for each other, I found it a little hard to believe it considering that they were basically just starting to get to know each other on personal level. Not a big issue, I still had lots of fun reading it, but oh well.

I really liked Ilya. Such unique character and I found it easy to connect to him. Despite playing in a famous hockey team and having a reputation of a playful carefree guy, behind all that snark, he actually carries a lot of pain inside. His culture is quite close to mine and many parts of it are so (painfully) familiar to me, so I want to say that I think Reid did a really good job at portraying those struggles he faced.

Shane's serious personality makes a balancing contrast to Ilya's playful one, but I found him a little bland at times. This is definitely a me issue, because I seem to connect easier to characters who carry some heavy pain from the past. Shane is a famous, rich guy who never has to think about money (at some point, he even buys a whole building, he has his own secluded cottage, has built his own private hockey rink beside that cottage etc). One of the best players, invited to all places, wanted on front pages of all blogs/magazines idk. Can have any girl he want, but he's not interested. Has a supportive family who fully accepts him. His best friend is Hayden, but I really didn't feel that friendship. I feel like there wasn't much to see of Shane beside his love for hockey and his obsessive thoughts about that one hot Russian player.

It's a me thing, I said. I would've liked it more if he had more hardships - like, if he's rich and famous, but his family is not supportive. Or he is rich and has supportive family, but he's not considered particularly attractive, or he avoids cameras because he's so anxious, or anything.

I kinda expected some big catastrophe to happen near the end, but it didn't and I was really happy for that. I liked how they came together and I'd probably check out The Long Game in the future.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend for a steamy sport rivals (not really enemies) to lovers romance.

"And when I retire," Ilya said, "after I have won twelve Stanley Cups and thirteen MVP awards—"

"The hell you will."

"And you have been retired for, like, eight years already because you got very bad at hockey..."

Shane laughed. "Okay."

"Then I will bring you to that dock out there. I will have hundreds of candles all over it..."

"That sounds like a fire hazard."

"Is on the water, Hollander. Fucking relax. Will be beautiful, you will love it. The candles. The lake. The full moon."

"Oh, is it a clear night?"

"Yes. Of course. And I will get on one knee—"

"Ilya—"

"And I will say, 'Shane Hollander, will you please marry me so I can become Canadian citizen faster?'"

God, were they really going to be able to keep this a secret until they were retired? Now that they were both honest about what they were to each other, Ilya feared it might be impossible to hide their relationship from the world.

Especially when Shane looked at him like he was looking at him right now - like Ilya was worth all this trouble. Like he was worth loving.

"I want to tell everyone," Ilya said. "Right now."

Shane's eyes went wide with panic. "No! Don't. We have to stick to the plan."

Ilya sighed dramatically. "You and your plans. What if I just kissed you on the mouth at the next All-Star-Game?"

"I'll punch you, I swear to god."

"You wouldn't. Not if I kissed you like this."

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*General Notes*

-rivals to enemies, hockey players

-size difference

-Ilya is around a month or a little less younger than Shane (by the end of the book, they're around 26 years old) - you know what, why wasn't there a single scene of them spending their birthday (either together or with other people) in the whole span of 8 years that this book covers?

*Intimacy Notes*

-Top/bottom/verse: <spoiler>strict; Shane bottoms, Ilya tops.</spoiler>

-Kinks/sex notes: <spoiler>BJs, handjobs, Shane likes being pinned down, frotting, coming untouched, masturbating while being watched, spitting in hand as a lube, rough sex, video call sex, rimming, begging, receiving blowjob while on a phone call, edging, sex out in the open (on a dock), dry humping...</spoiler>

-Other:

・Ilya is a little possessive

・Ilya's got big hands

・Consent

・It's tagged with "praise kink", but where was it? I absolutely love praise kink, but there was just one brief scene where Ilya praises Shane for being a good hockey player and that's it.

・nicknames: sweetheart

He stands and sets a hand at the base of my throat, fingers splayed like he needs to cover as much skin as he can. Then he tilts my head to the side and runs his nose up the side of my throat, before resting his head on my shoulder.
I have the strongest urge to wrap my arms around him.
So I do.
He sags against me like someone cut his strings. I grunt under the sudden weight of him, but hold tight when he tries to pull back. "Stay," I whisper, surprised when he does.
I close my eyes, and his outdoor, woodsy scent fills my nose.

Lynx is a shifter and an alpha who will do anything to protect his pack and his MC club, even if that means keeping distance from his human mate, Morgan. After his dad lost their house in a bet, Morgan ends up homeless and feeling lost. He goes to the local gang, Wild Wolves MC, in hopes of being allowed to join and finally have a place to belong. Lynx dismisses him rather harshly, believing that he's doing what's best for Morgan and his pack, but pushing his mate away only put Morgan in danger. Now Lynx needs to figure out how to keep both his mate and his pack safe.


Like Morgan, I wanted to smack Lynx for all the mixed signals he was constantly giving. And I guess it would've been nice if there was more groveling and if Morgan didn't forgive Lynx so easily. But then again, even though I was frustrated by some of the decisions characters made throughout the story, all of that only made them feel real and flawed in a way that all humans tend to be.


I love the way this author writes shifters. The behavior, pack mentality, protectiveness and possessiveness, scenting, marking... It's got all the things I want in shifter books. There's overarching plot, so we're probably going to get some loose ends tied in the next couple of books.

I sit forward, and look around the table, meeting everyone's gaze in turn. "So, hear me out first," I start, and Cal groans. Flint laughs and Mal just covers his eyes. It makes me smile, and my wolf settles, because I know in that moment that they'll have my back no matter what.

The next book focuses on Callum and Ash, but damn it, I can't wait for Jet and Grey's book. I'm so excited for their story!

When the snarls subside, he walks around the table and sets the knife in front of Jet. “Thank you.” He goes to step away, but Jet grabs his hand.
Grey winces like it hurts.
Jet's low growl fills the room as he gently pushes back Grey's sleeve, revealing deep bruises around his wrist. They look too new to be from what happened at the fight ring. “Who the fuck did this?”

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General Notes

Intimacy Notes

strict on page; Morgan bottoms, Lynx tops.

dry humping, frotting, BJs, penetration, scenting, marking/biting...

His eyes didn't leave mine as he straightened. It was funny; he wasn't much bigger than me. Few were. But when he towered over me like this, it felt like there was a dramatic size difference. I felt smaller, safer.
Protected.

First thing first: Finn is one hell of a sexy and charming motherfu-er.

It's a story about two lonely men who are scared of opening up their hearts and getting hurt again. Finlay is a wolf shifter who has spent centuries grieving and trying to get over his forbidden love for his alpha's mate. Chester is a human who has recently escaped an emotionally abusive relationship and is scared of being abused again. Once Finn gets to know Chester, he knows that he's found his other half, and he is more than ready to take it easy and go at Chester's pace until Chester feels safe enough to completely open his heart.

Finn is such a green flag and he's so damn sweet and romantic. There's enormous focus on consent in this book and, overall, this is such a gentle book. Half-way through reading this I found myself thinking: “This book is for when you're hurting and you just want someone to insta-love you and take care of you” and I say that in all the good ways. This is definitely a great comfort read.

Also, I'm so excited for the next book, Evan. Literally can't wait to read it.

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General Notes
-fantasy, wolf shifters, hurt/comfort...
-two bears (both MCs are big men); dad-bod MC
-Chester (human) is 33 years old; Finlay (wolf shifter) is 433 years old and immortal.
-Evan (side character, wolf shifter) is 54 and immortal.
-CWs: anxiety, panic attacks, (emotionally) abusive ex, grief over death of loved ones...

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: they switch, but Chester prefers to bottom.
-Kinks/sex notes: BJs, rimming, PRAISE, use of lube, multiple orgasms, dirty talk...
-Other:
・lots of consent
・protectiveness & possessiveness.
・nicknames: m'eudail
・praise!

Sweet little story with some action and angst.

Rowan and Atlas are two space explorers who, throughout the years of working together, became sort of rivals/best friends who never saw each other's faces. They piloted separate spaceships, with Rowan looking for minerals from other planets to bring back for humans to use, and Atlas was there to determine if those planets held life. The story begins with them exploring yet another planet together, when something unexpected happens.

I would've loved if it was turned into a longer book. It's got such a great set up for a sweet, slow build-up and some pining. I wish we could've seen more of their friendship/situationship and how they grew to care for each other. The fact that Atlas has been following Rowan on his missions so that they didn't grow old separately is so damn sweet.

I liked their personalities too. Rowan is brave and good at keeping calm when needed, but he's also submissive and yearning for someone to speak to him in a gentle, commanding tone. Atlas is passionate, dominant, but with occasional moments of shyness that I loved so much.

Their intimate scenes were nicely written. I'd call it ‘love-making' rather than ‘having sex', because it was so passionate and you can feel their deep connection, despite not seeing on-page (as it's a short story) how they came to mean so much to each other.

This story had more angst than I expected and that's one of my complaints, because once you reach the angsty part, it kinda doesn't let up until the very end (but it does have HEA). This is more of a personal preference, but in general I want more “soothing/loving/calm” scenes in my books after MCs go through so much (especially life-death situations).

I recommend it for a angsty-but-sweet short read!

“Shit,” Atlas shouted as Rowan's rover burst through the lower stratosphere. “Hurry up. Come on, baby.”
Rowan's brain backfired a little at Atlas's crooning tone. Encouragement wouldn't make a robot go faster. Rowan, on the other hand, would do almost anything for someone who spoke to him like that.

Flirting was a regular occurrence. For Atlas, it was probably just a way to pass the time. For Rowan, it as the difference between a good day and a shitty one.
He didn't want to admit how much he relied on Atlas to make him feel safe out here.

“There's nothing convenient about you. You're the most important thing in my pathetic life. Why do you think I follow you on every single one of your missions? I can't stand the thought of time passing without you. You're the only constant in my life, and I can't lose you.

“Follow me,” Atlas said.
Rowan did as he was told. He wanted to be good for Atlas. Desperately.

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General Notes

(the MC who attempts it is not in the right state of mind)

Intimacy Notes

strict on-page; Atlas tops, Rowan bottoms.

interstellar phone sex (basically masturbating together over intercoms), BJ, masturbating while being watched, (slight?) daddy kink (just use of "baby" and "daddy"), finger sucking, praise(❤️!!!), edging
-Other://

This series just keeps getting better.

I do wish it was set more in Wild West, like in The Engineer, but oh well. Still loved it.

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General Notes
-CWs for suicidal thoughts, mentions of past suicide attempts, mentions of past self harm...

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: Gunner bottoms in this book.
-Kinks/sex notes: BJ, mild breath play
-Other:
・Gunner and Gillian protecting each other
・handtimacy, necktimacy, wristimacy(wrist kisses!!!)

It's a short story about a lonely cadet Adam who has a crush on his officer Evan, but thinks he has no chance with the man.

The setting was nice - our characters are on a starship, traveling through space. I liked the rose that changes colors according to emotions of those around it, and the situation with the star.

Dialogue was really good and I laughed out loud at conversations between Adam's friends Hamish and Azeel. They are such sweet and supportive characters, but I don't think we've seen enough of Evan, so romance, although sweet, felt quite rushed. I did like Evan, but to be honest, I wouldn't have minded if Adam ended up with Hamish or Azeel instead (or both). We know from early on that it can't happen because they're both straight.

I would've liked it if it was longer, if we got to know Evan better and if they waited a bit to say ‘I love you'.

"Your reaction is understandable. Because you're never going to get as close to one of your other friends as you and I are going to get. We're going to sleep in the same bed, shower at the same time, eat, sleap and breathe each other until your boundaries are completely stripped away, Green eyes, because that's the only way to guarantee you're thinking of the target that's about to shoot our Needle down instead of me standing behind you whispering in your ear."

“I'm not talking about hearts and flowers and walking on the beach and candlelight dinners. Relationship, partnership - call it whatever you want but for better or worse we're stuck with it. We both signed the papers and they put us together. And I promise you, Newbie, nothing but death is going to tear us apart.”

“Do you know what will get you killed quicker than anything else when you're out in space?” he asked, his breath brushing through the loose curls at the side of Chaz's neck.
“I know what's gonna get you killed. Get off me, man!” Chaz felt ready to panic now. This son of a bitch Ferron had him and obviously didn't intend to let him go. Worse, the proximity of the other man's lean muscular form seemed to be doing something strange to Chaz's body. Something wrong and unnatural.
“Boundaries,” Ferron continued, as though Chaz wasn't rigid in his arms demanding to be released. “Your personal boundaries are more likely to get you killed than any of the targets or even the Saudeber ship cluster. Because if you can't let go of your boundaries, you can't do your job. How many targets do you think you've missed since I put my arms around you?”

third act breakup.

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General Notes

third act breakup

homophobic slurs, internalized homophobia, dub-con between MC and LI, off-page rape of a side-character (in the past), described suicide of a side-character (in the past), attempted rape of MC (stopped before it happened), non-con between MC and LI

Intimacy Notes

strict? Chaz bottoms and Ferron tops; Ferron is willing to bottom, but it doesn't happen as both MCs prefer keeping strict roles.

dub-con & non-con; handjobs, BJs, fingering, edging, exhibitionism, 69, cockwarming (in mouth), "just a tip" situation, rimming...

Paused... stopped?... at 42%, somewhere in the middle of chapter 7. Might or might not continue this another time, but I don't think I'd be in the mood anytime soon.

The plot is really interesting. Anubis, quantum physics, the shapeshifters and everything the author built around it is so engaging. It's really good, honestly.

So, why stopping? At 42%, we get a sex scene between Luca and Nox, and I honestly feel like we've hardly spent any time with them. So far we've been mostly learning about Koda (Luca's older brother who died) from Nox's memories/flashbacks and Reese's (the scientist who worked on case with Anubis) POV. I think there's been more Reese's POVs than Luca's so far, actually.

I was patiently waiting for the story to focus more on Luca and Nox, but then that sex scene happens and, I don't know, I am just not feeling it. I feel like I felt more connection between Luca and Vic (a guy that Luca met briefly and hooked up with while running with Nox) or even that guy at the store that flirted with Luca.

Nox also keeps saying that he shouldn't be attracted to Luca, that he isn't actually, but that his instincts are telling him to fu- touch Luca because the Anubis in him sees Luca the same way it saw Koda: as his alpha. And so far, we've learned that it's betas' instinct to adore and want to sleep with their alpha (and Nox is one of Koda's betas - and yes, they all slept with Koda, sometimes even at the same time). It's not voluntary, Nox never wanted to love Koda, but as he said, he never had a choice, none of them did. Some of them were straight even and fought it at first until eventually giving in.

And let me tell you, despite how it sounds, all of this actually makes sense and the way Anubis works with his betas is very intriguing. But I don't think I'm feeling any romance between Luca and Nox.

I would still recommend for interesting action/sci-fi plot, just not so much for romance.

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-sci-fi, shapeshifters...
-Age gap; Luca is “just shy of 20”, Nox is in his middle or late 30s, not sure.

"They never understood," he says. "When I'm in the mud and blood and filth of whatever planet the Commonwealth tells us we have to conquer this time, the only thing I can think of is getting home to you. They never understood how much that mattered to me, how much of my hope of survival I pinned on hearing your voice just one more time. After mom died, you were the only thing that kept me going."

So damn good.

Ripley, a trans mechanic just trying to get by on inhabitable planet, receives news that his half-brother Archimedes, a Commonwealth's cybernetically enhanced super soldier, isn't coming home for Christmas. Supicious, Ripley joins rebels, only to reunite with Archimedes and discover a secret that might lead to their death unless they act quickly.

If you are a fan of sci-fi dystopian, with a bit of horror and a taboo relationship, then this is a book for you. Engaging writing, codependent relationship between half-brothers that is shaped by environment they grew up in, delicious pining and some spice.

I'll have to say, the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book is what made me take so long to start this book, but it wasn't as heavy for me as I expected. Maybe because the disturbing parts don't linger, or maybe I simply can handle more than I expected lol.

Highly recommended.

Archimedes watches him for a few moments, eyes skipping between his. He reaches out, slowly, carefully, like he expects Ripley to pull away. His hand settles on Ripley's shoulder, then slides higher, to cup the back of his neck. Ripley suppresses a shiver as Archimedes' fingers tangle in the short hairs at the base of his skull. “Sorry I don't have a present for you this year,” he says. His voice comes low and rough in the space between them.
Ripley leans his cheek against Archimedes' forearm. “You're the only present I need.”

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General Notes

Intimacy Notes

strict? Only one scene; Ripley bottoms (power bottom), Archimedes tops, but they have mild D/s dynamics where Ripley is more in control.

mild D/s, thigh riding, coming untouched, sexual stimulation with cybernetics, penetration, praise kink...

"Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?"

I started reading this because of praise kink, but it has so many other tropes that I love. It was such a delightful read and I'm only sad that it was so short. I seriously needed another scene with Samuel and Will cuddling on the couch (this time without any interuptions)...

The praise kink also didn't truly come into the scene until very late in the story, but considering the length of the book, the pace felt natural.

I guess I just needed more of it. Loved the characters, the plot, their friendship and their discovery of deeper feelings, all the touches and cuddles, but it was too short and, ugh, I didn't have enough of it.

Still, highly recommended if you want something short but sweet, with a little bit of pining, hurt/comfort and some super sweet & steamy kisses.

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General Notes
-(I didn't read the previous two books in this series, but had no trouble following this)
-friends to lovers, a little bit of secret pining, bi-awakening (Will), hurt/comfort (Samuel had a difficult childhood, and a bad experience with his ex)
-social worker x former marine
-short, low-angst...
-anxious & awkward MC (Sam)
-Sam is 22, Will is somewhere in his middle thirties(33?)

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: strict; Samuel bottoms, Will tops...
-Kinks/sex notes: first time/virgin MC, penetration, coming untouched, frotting, praise kink...
-Other:
・handtimacy & necktimacy
・praise kink
・Will is protective and possessive, but not in a toxic or OTT way.
・consent is sexyyy and this book has lots of it.
・nicknames: baby, babe, pretty boy...

Yo, sir/ma'am, what's with these smutty books and zero kissing? Like, it's hot and I love friends-to-lovers trope, but damn, I wish they kissed. There was even a talk about kissing, but no actual kissing happened.

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General Notes
-short, erotica
-friends to lovers, massage

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: Jack tops, Gabe bottoms.
-Kinks/sex notes: prostate massage, fingering, penetration, coming untouched (from penetration), first time/virgin...
-Other:・・・・・

Andy, is that the same Andy the masseur from “Gay for his Massage”?
Short, smutty.

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General Notes
-short, erotica
-massage

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: strict on page; Andy tops, Ben bottoms
-Kinks/sex notes: massage, licking, plug, some kind of flashlight, penetration....
-Other://

Short and sweet. Two best friends, camping gone wrong, sharing body heat which leads to steamy situation...

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General Notes
-short, erotica
-best friends

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: strict on-page; Rohan tops, Lucian bottoms.
-Kinks/sex notes: frotting, BJ, penetration...
-Other://

Pretty good, but damn, I wish they kissed! I haven't read many by Pat Lewis, but in what I've read so far there doesn't seem to be any kissing at all. Such a pity.

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General Notes
-short, erotica
-roommates

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: strict on-page; Liam tops, Matt bottoms.
-Kinks/sex notes: masturbatiion, handjobs, thigh sex, just a tip (by accident), unintentional cockwarming (both of them sort of pass out from exhaustion), bareback, coming inside...
-Other://

I liked this a lot, but damn, my romantic ass wishes there was more actual romance. Instead it's all pure smut, but unexpectedly tender and I really liked it.

I'm so craving human x merman romance now, dammit.

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General Notes
-short erotica, human x merman

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: I guess verse, idk? :)
-Kinks/sex notes: rimming, fingering, first time kissing (kissing is not common for mermen and mermaids), two slits, penetration, monster cock... gock eel (I was totally not prepared for that)
-Other://

Short, pure smut story about omega prince going down to dungeons to satisfy his urges with a shifted lycan.

This particular story wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I'll definitely check out more by this author.

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General Notes
-short erotica, omegaverse
-omega prince x alpha lycan.

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: lycan tops the omega prince
-Kinks/sex notes: shifted sex, omega heat, intersex, wolfy tongue, knotting, muzzle...
-Other://

Two fraternal brothers, sharing a room in a dorm. They're total opposites; Ryder is big, muscled and a playboy, while Rowan is smaller, awkward and still a virgin. Rowan keeps catching Ryder having sex with other people, and starts fantasizing about him, but tries to deal with it by finding some guy to finally lose his V-card. Then Ryder catches Rowan masturbating, which sparks things between them...

I'm honestly not sure how to rate this.

-For the lack of better explanation, it felt like the story changed into a different one three times. I personally liked the premise at the beginning, of the twins, one popular and one a loner, being in close proximity when feelings spark between them. But the story quickly switches to “back home at the farm during summer” (with their own rooms) and Rowan planning to meet up with this one guy, Keith, to lose his virginity. Then the Keith thing was dropped suddenly, which I didn't particularly mind, as I liked that part that followed, where we see Rowan being unable to function without his brother Ryder... But then the story shifted into family issues, career paths, and their future plans for living in Italy.
I think I'm just disappointed because I really liked the idea from the start, popular twin x loner twin figuring out their feelings at college, sharing a room, jealousy when seeing each other with other people, the difference in popularity between them etc, but didn't get any of that.

-While I liked premise at the start, I didn't like the way Ryder treated his hookups at the beginning. That was really shitty and I almost dropped the book.

- The smut was hot.

-Them constantlly doing lovey-dovey/smutty things when their family was near gave me so much anxiety.

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General Notes
-tabooo, fraternal twins, opposites, size difference
-they start at 20 years old, then turn 21 throughout the story.

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: strict, Ryder tops and Rowan bottoms, but they mention the possibility of Ryder bottoming in the future (doesn't happen on-page)
-Kinks/sex notes: drying humping, first times/virgin MC, frotting, BJs, rimming, penetration, some praise and very mild spanking (near the end), and maybe hint of a breeding kink?
-Other:
・nicknames: cutie, baby, babe, sweetheart...
・lil handtimacy

"If you win, you get all the money on this table, including what I just tossed down. If you lose, you're mine. You come with me."

Gunner wins Cooper in a card of games, tells him “You're mine” and takes him to Stallion Ridge. There's no slavery anywhere here - if you've read the previous book (and you'd have to, this can't be read as standalone), you already know why he does this. All Gunner wants is to keep Cooper and his daughter Marybell safe, even if Cooper is too stubborn and prideful sometimes.

“Look at me.”
Cooper didn't move for a long time before his tired eyes finally made their slow climb to meet his. The exhaustion and fear lacing the pretty blue eyes were like a dagger through Gunner's chest
“Tell me what got you so scared you slept by the door,” he demanded gently.

“You keep acting like an ungrateful brat, and I think I'll take up the hobby of making you shake around me,” Gunner growled into his ear, pulling him so close Cooper could feel the phantom touch of his lips against his lobe.

There was something exhilarating about being commanded in such a way, almost like Gunner had a dominant hold on him that spoke to Cooper's very dormant sexual desires. Not just that. No. It was also his very real need to feel like he was no longer floating aimlessly, alone, without something to hold onto. Like someone was keeping his feet on solid ground.

cough

“Breathe, Marybell, I got you,” he whispered quickly as he fell to one knee to catch her, wrapping her up into his arms before pulling her back to wipe the tears and hair from her face. The source of the blood on her face was a tender split lip, and an angry bruise was forming from the impact. She was desperately trying to say something, but her sobs were turning her words into nonsense.
Someone had hurt Marybell, his favorite little wild spirit who wanted to be painted like a demon and thought he was married to her daddy. Sweet, badass little warrior girl who would grow up to take over the world one day or at least become notorious enough to make people weak in the knees. Gunner never thought he'd ever like any kid, but this one?
He adored her with all he had.

“That mouth doesn't belong to you tonight, you hear me?” Gunner whispered, his breath brushing over Cooper's lips.

“I want to have that Samura's babies. “Mack sighed dreamily. Cal pinched the bridge of his nose like Mack's words caused him pain.

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General Notes

Intimacy Notes

they switch, one scene for each

threesome (the first time, before they get together); BJs, fingering, marking, biting...

he's a manticore panther shapeshifter

mates; not fated, but Gunner marks Cooper.

"Holy shit," I mumbled. Was I in a coma? A fever induced dream? In what universe did a sexy neighbor come in, tell you everything you needed to know to complete your current chapter, then kiss you senseless?

Toby, a socially awkward dark paranormal romance writer, is doing research for his newest story (about torture, in particular), and his (equally awkward) mysterious neighbor Dex offers some useful information. Toby has theories about Dex that he chalks up to his overactive imagination, but he is actually way closer to the truth than he thinks.

One of the things I really liked was how this book was fun and silly, yet well-balanced with hurt/comfort. MCs had their sweet and vulnerable moments, and the fun part was just them being so lovably awkward and ridiculous.

Some things you should expect: insta-love (it's not my favorite, but I was prepared coming into this book and you know what? It worked just fine), two socially awkward MCs whose love language is talking about torture and dismemberment (but the actual torture happens off-page, which I really appreciated); equally lovable side-characters; low-angst (Toby has a stalker and this is treated seriously, but as a reader, you always know that Toby is safe with Dex around); Dex being possessive and overprotective of Toby (it never turns toxic and Toby enjoys it);

Some things that I didn't like much: the lack of visual description (most of characters were repeatedly described as “sexy as hell”, which really didn't do anything for me); the lack of actual talking between Toby and Dex. Somehow, it felt like most of relationship progress happened in their heads, while they stalked cough observed each other, which made their loving exchanges during actual interactions seem a bit abrupt.

But still, higly recommended as a light, feel-good, fun read.

“Well, of course you should return the hammer. That's totally normal. Not sure on the coffee, though. It might come off as a little stalkerish to admit you know when he gets coffee delivered and when he doesn't. Or to give him coffee how he likes it prepared, which I'm sure you know with your attention to detail.”
“I should give him coffee that isn't prepared to his liking?” I asked. “That seems strange.”
“No, maybe just skip the coffee altogether is what I'm saying,” Jude replied. “You don't want to come off like a stalker.”
“He doesn't think I'm a stalker. He thinks I'm a serial killer,” I answered resonably.

“What's wrong?” he asked, gently rubbing his hand up and down my back.
“You're just too good, you know that?” I answered.
“I'm really not, Toby,” he said seriously.
“Pffft,” I muttered. “You're good in all the ways that count. No one is perfect. I know that, despite the fact that I write books with romance.”
He rumbled some form of agreement, and I felt like he wanted to argue with me more, but he settled on saying, “I'll be perfect for you, Toby. You just tell me what you need.”

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General Notes

Intimacy Notes

strict; Toby bottoms and Dex tops.

BJs, frotting, rimming, tail play, knotting, biting/marking...

decided to keep Toby

wanting to microchip Toby

setting bed on fire

Cal, a grumpy but honorable centaur-shapeshifter sherrif catches a mischevious human outlaw called Jesse, and brings him to a jail in Stallion Ridge. He tries to keep distance from him, but the more time they spend together, the more he realizes that Jesse has good intentions and was just caught up in some bad stuff. The two men connect easily, and now Cal has to find a way to save his little troublemaker without going against law and honor.

I thought the style of writing was very fitting for Wild West setting. Romance was a little insta and some things happened way too conveniently, but I loved both main and side characters and I enjoyed learning more about them. And good old western is totally my jam; we get guns, stand offs, law and outlaws, cowboys, chase, etc. Add magic and shapeshifters and I loved it to bits.

I could probably nitpick and I'll admit that I was pondering between giving this 4 or 5 stars, but then I saw author's note that this is their first book and, honestly? For a first book, this is amazing. Rich, imaginative world with characters who are realistically flawed, yet lovable.

I am so happy that the next book follows Cooper and Gunner, because I like our mysterious, poker-faced cowboy in black Gunner way too much. :)
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General Notes
-wild west
-enemies to lovers (sherrif x outlaw), opposites attract (grumpy x mishievous/flirty)
-shapeshifters; Cal is a centaur, but there are other types of shapeshifters too.
-Jesse is 22 years old; Cal is around 5 years older, perhaps?

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: versatile, but we have Jesse bottoming on-page, and Cal bottoming off-page.
-Kinks/sex notes: handjob, masturbation, BJ, frotting, biting/marking (not permanent), manhandling...
-Other:
・possessiveness and protectiveness (mostly from Cal)

Absolutely enjoyed this.

It's definitely the characters that got me hooked, alright, I wouldn't be able to tell you much about the plot. But Gillian and Gunner are so amazing together, and overall this was so much fun.

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General Notes
-Gillian's birthday is February 6th

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse: Gunner bottoms, Gillian tops, but it's still not strictly define (Gillian could possibly bottom in the future)
-Kinks/sex notes: lap sitting, wrist kissing (wristimacy???), nails, biting, frotting, fingering...
-Other:
・handtimacy (touches, and Gunner has big hands), necktimacy
・both Gunner and Gillian are protective and possessive
・Scars (Gillian's hands are heavily scarred)
・Gunner shutting Gillian up with kisses...❤️
・nicknames: my dear

So, I'm not sure... I'll admit that the book was very different to what I expected.

It's not a bad book, but my issue is that half of the book covers the period when Casey is 16-28 and Joe is 27/28-29/30 (not sure exactly), during which Joe has no romantic interest in Casey. Then it skips forward 6 years, where Joe's feelings toward Casey have shifted into romantic ones (while Casey always loved Joe). We don't see Joe falling in love (unless we take it that he was already falling in love when Casey was 16, which is... no), so the shift from him being Casey's guardian to being in love with Casey was too sudden for me personally.

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General Notes
-MC kicked out of home for being gay
-guardian LI
-around 12 years age gap (the book starts when Casey is 16)

Intimacy Notes
-Top/bottom/verse:
-Kinks/sex notes: penetration, rimming, frotting, Joe with dildo in his ass while fucking Casey :), playful slap (not spanking)...
-Other:
・handtimacy (Joe has big, rough, but gentle hands)