Extracurricular Activities Book 0.5: Test Me by Neve Wilder

 

Extracurricular Activities Book 0.5

Two polar opposites. One impossible physics class. A whole lotta attraction.

I have no sympathy for slackers like Josh Pickett, who think that just because they're athletes they can skate by and leave the academic heavy-lifting to nerds like me. And especially not slackers who've already left me hanging on a class project once before, forcing me to finish it solo. Any guesses who that might've been?

Nope. Not one ounce of sympathy.

So when I'm assigned to tutor him in physics, I tell him flat out I'm not gonna go easy on him.

I won't be swayed by his ridiculously sexy dimpled smile. Or the fact that he actually shows up for our sessions.

Him bringing me my favorite burger every time? Irrelevant.

note: This is a short story that was previously part of a promo giveaway and has been expanded to NOVELLA length. So it's still a shorter read, just with additional chapters and the inclusion of more of the EA guys.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221555004-test-me

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Logan is anything but pleased when he learns that he has to tutor Josh. The same Josh who bailed on their group project and Logan had to pick up the slack on. There is something about the athletes on campus who think they can get away without doing their work and it has only gotten under Logan’s skin. But, when Josh turns up super apologetic and feeding Logan his favorite burgers…well, it’s hard to stay completely mad at him. Especially when his apology is so sincere. But in forgiving him, Logan soon realizes that gives him permission to let his attraction to Josh turns into a full on crush. But there is no chance of Josh feeling the same…right? There is something about Logan that attracts him to Josh. Josh knows that he is bi but kinda started doubting that was true since he has yet to find a guy he is into. Well, being around and getting to know Logan, turns out he was just waiting for him. But can he find out if Logan will ever feel the same about him? These two were just really cute! And we get plenty of cameos from other characters from this series before their stories begin. This was definitely a fun prequel! 

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

 

New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan returns to the high-stakes, sweeping world of dragons, romance, and drama first evoked in her bestselling young adult Firelight series, in a brand-new epic adult romantasy series.

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone. 

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205822553-a-fire-in-the-sky

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Tamsyn has been raised alongside the princesses of Penterra to the point where they consider themselves sisters, but she is not their sister. No. Her position for the royal family is to be their whipping girl. To teach the princesses discipline, Tamsyn is punished for their misdeeds. This is all she has ever known. But things are changing. When Fell, the lord of the Borderlands, arrives to report to the king, he asks for something in exchange for continuing to keep his land and theirs safe. He wants to marry a princess. His hope is that this arrangement will get him a seat at the table to actually make change and protect their people better. But the king and his advisors have other plans. They force Tamsyn to take the place of one of the princesses and succeed when they hide her face long enough for their marriage to be valid. Despite his anger at the deception, Fell decides he will accept Tamsyn but he won’t forget what happened. And together they set off back to his home. This is the beginning of so many changes. First off, loved Tamsyn and Fell. There is great chemistry between them and we are only just getting to know them and explore their connection in this story. There is of course lots of talk and magic and dragons and a few surprises that come our way before we reach that cliffhanger of an ending! I am definitely looking forward to exploring more of this world and seeing where this story takes us. 

Snowed In: An MM Romance Charity Anthology

 

Snowed In is an MM Romance Charity Anthology from some of your favorite authors!These Christmas-themed stories all feature the swoon-inducing trope of being snowed-in together! You can find new, exclusive novellas from Kiki Clark, Nora Phoenix, EM Lindsey, Nicole Dykes, Crea Reitan, A.M. Johnson, Dianna Roman, Cora Rose, Kelly Fox, and Lark Taylor!

All proceeds will be donated to Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214187834-snowed-in?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MfS5jMxwZo&rank=8

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Overall, this was a cute set of novellas that revolved around—you guessed it!—being snowed in together. And of course, around the holidays. A favorite trope of mine, where our main characters have no choice but to spend time together. Check out my reviews on each one!

If I Had a Chance by EM Lindsey - 4/5 Stars

This was a cute sweet story about two men who clearly have had a crush on one another for a while but neither had a chance to admit it. Well the time has come. When Adam’s best friend asks him to take over for him at a conference, Adam heads to his long time crush Magnus’s home to pick up his friend’s notes. But of course with a storm coming, Adam gets stuck there. And it’s time these two get to spend some time together and realize where the other stands.

The Room I Paid For by Crea Reitan - 5/5 Stars

I have been wondering about Gabe for a while! I remember him from For Puck’s Sake series and what was going on with him at that time and who he was spending it with. But now we get some answers. Gabe didn’t mean to but he fell for Roux even when Roux was never in a place for that to happen between them and made sure Gabe knew it. But Gabe couldn’t help but have a small part of him hoping that Roux would change his mind. He didn’t and even found where he was supposed to be. And Gabe has been trying to figure out how to get over this heartache. Though maybe going on a holiday with someone he wasn’t that interested in wasn’t a great start. Especially when he was stood up. So he’ll be spending his Christmas in a cabin, all alone, and in a snowstorm. Or so he thinks. When Edries arrives at his cabin, he doesn’t expect anyone else to be there. But now they are stuck together. And it turns out to be the best thing that has ever happened to either of them. A few days is enough to tell them exactly who they are, their hopes and dreams, and it may just be what both have been searching for all along. Loved this story a lot! Was glad to see Gabe get his happy ending. 

Mistle Foe by Cora Rose - 4/5 Stars

Wren doesn’t know what it is about Christian that gets to him. Is he too perfect and too innocent and would never look at Wren? Something about Christian drives him crazy but he is also insanely attracted to him as well. And now the two of them are stuck for a night in snowed in motel on their way to a wedding. Well, it’s time for them to face one another and Wren may just realize that Christian may actually feel something for him this whole time. 

Snowdrifts & Secrets by AM Johnson - 5/5 Stars

On the way to a convention in Portland, best friends, Gary and Shiloh, are driving through a bit of a blizzard. With the roads being bad, they end up missing a turn, and to make matters worse, they end up stuck on the side of the road. Their best plan is to wait it out a bit and hope someone finds them or they have to come up with a new plan. In doing so, this gives the two of them the courage to say what both have been keeping in for quite a while. The fact that they are in love with one another but have yet to say it. Super cute story! These two best friends are clearly crazy about one another, and they finally give themselves a chance to do something about it!

Texas Snow by Kelly Fox - 5/5 Stars

Rafferty’s job as a detective hasn’t been easy. And in the last year, a lot has changed. Now, he just wants to go to his cabin for Christmas and gather the strength he needs to possibly change his career. What he doesn’t expect is for Jesse, bloodied and in need of help, to appear at his doorstep. The same Jesse he put away the year before. Jesse never wanted the life he was born in and when he got put away and no one cared, he realized he had to make the change. He’ll give the cops the info he needs. But his father’s people won’t let that go. He barely escapes with his life and lands on Raff’s door. And in their bubble, they realize the attraction and connection between them is stronger. But will they survive? I really like this one! One of my favorites from this anthology. Loved their banter and their sweet moments.

Merry Scroogemas by Kiki Clark - 5/5 Stars

When West is sent by his terrible boss to meet a client at a resort in the mountains in bad weather, well he isn’t exactly happy. And he is definitely not happy when he gets into an accident. Lucky for him, Ashley hears the accident and comes running. And while he may not like people in his space and isn’t a fan of the holidays since his parents died, there is no way he’ll leave West out there alone. He takes him back to his cabin where they will end up snowed in for who knows how long. This is just the beginning of their story! After getting a nice beginning to what I think will be a great romance between them, we are promised a full length novel is coming! I will definitely be checking that out! 

Christmas Pipe Dreams by Lark Taylor - 5/5 Stars

Rory has had a huge crush on Owen for a long time now. But every time he is near him, he makes a fool of himself. He is clumsy and can’t string two words together. But when his pipes burst, Owen is the only one he can call for help. Hopefully he can actually not embarrass himself this time. Meanwhile, Owen has had a crush on Rory for a long time as well. But on their first encounter, he was so nervous he couldn’t look Rory in the eye and found trouble speaking. But now he has a chance to see Rory outside of work, maybe he’ll actually make Rory comfortable enough to talk to him. These two were so adorable. And if only they could actually talk to one another will they have realized that they could have become something so much more sooner! Very cute and sweet story. 

Winter Blues by Nicole Dykes - 5/5 Stars

Hunter has had a massive crush on his best friend’s brother, Simon, for a long time. But for some reason, Simon just seems to hate him. And when they get stuck together in a winter storm on their way to Simon’s parents, well it’s time to talk about some feelings. Simon isn’t a fan of Hunter but being stuck with him, he is starting to realize he misread a lot of things. The biggest that Hunter actually has feelings for him. And when he starts to look up on their encounters, his perspective begins to change. This one was really cute! Loved Hunter and Simon getting a chance to clear the air and realize that they could have something really special between them.

The Holidate Rescue by Dianna Roman - 4/5 Stars

Marshall can’t stand his coworker Ronnie. There is something about him that just keeps rubbing him wrong. But when the two of them are stuck together and need to keep warm, Marshall begins to see another side to Ronnie. And realizes that maybe he wasn’t reading Ronnie right in their interactions. And when Marshall needed a date to his family Christmas party, Ronnie shows up to help him. Giving him another side that Marshall hasn’t seen before. These two were cute as they got to actually got to know one another and finally see each other for who they are.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miami Nights & Club Lights Book 2: Whiskey Sour by Addison Beck

 

Miami Nights & Club Lights Book 2

Knox

What do you do when the love of your life chooses someone else?

Easy, you find a nice rebound. If it just so happens to be his hot, dumb hunk of a brother, even better.

Elton Hill is everything wrong with people. He’s loud, annoying, way too intense, and pushes too hard. But he’s available and our secret friends-with-benefits relationship turns out to be exactly what I need.

When I start to see a different side of him, things change. Apparently, the intense, sensitive, flamingo-loving golden retriever is perfect for me, and I’m not willing to give him up.

Except, I’ve been keeping a secret that threatens to ruin the best thing that ever happened to me. I don’t know how long I can put off the inevitable, and I can only hope we’re strong enough to weather the aftermath of my mistake.

Whiskey Sour is dual-pov, friends-with-benefits, dislike-to-love romance. With lingering secrets, too many flamingos, and meddling coworkers, Whiskey Sour will leave you on the edge of your seat.

This is the second in a series of interconnected standalones featuring the workers of club XO as they try to find their HEAs.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218220725-whiskey-sour

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Knox has been in love with his best friend for a long time. They were also friends who hooked up and Knox hoped that one day, Everest would see that they were right for each other. But when Everest finds his soulmate, Knox is left with a broken heart. On top of that, he’s lonely. He doesn’t really have friends, his family is terrible to him, and he just rather protect himself when he can than let someone in. And so when an opportunity arises to have a rebound, just hook ups, nothing more, he decides it’s the best thing for him. But that person is Everest’s older brother, Elton. Elton can never seem to find his person. He comes off too strong when he starts immediately talking about the future and he can never seem to find someone on the same page as him. Now his best friend and his brother are in a very happy relationship and he is back to just being lonely. And when his brother suggests to just have some fun rather than find love for a bit, Elton can’t help but think of that drunken hook up with Knox. And how much he wants to do it again. The two of them begin this friends with benefits relationship, though if you ask Knox, they aren’t friends. But the more time they spend together, well things start to change bit by bit. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster with Knox and Elton! These guys are so different but they are also so great for one another. They balance one another out super well. And you just can’t help but feel for them once you get to know them. Their happy ending is well earned after they go through. And I just could not put this story down! Such great and complex characters, I loved reading their story!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Falls Season 2 Book 7: No Business Like Snow Business by Lisa Henry & JA Rock

 

Christmas Falls Season 2 Book 7

Harvey Novak loves living in Christmas Falls. He loves his job running the Festival Museum too, except when it means he has to deal with his ex, who’s putting together the town’s newest tourist brochures. There are a lot of things Harvey is willing to do for Christmas Falls, but playing nice with the guy who cheated on him isn’t one of them. When a real-life Christmas mystery falls into Harvey’s lap, it offers the perfect distraction. And the guy with the mystery is pretty distracting too.

Sterling van Ruyven has come to Christmas Falls to look for his long-lost uncle, and enlists Harvey’s help to track him down. It’s all business—if there’s an extra van Ruyven heir out there somewhere, Sterling needs to know about it. He isn’t expecting to actually enjoy spending time in this ridiculous Christmas-themed town with the cute guy from the museum.

Their fun flirtation turns into a holiday fling, but that’s all it can ever be. Harvey’s heart belongs in Christmas Falls, and Sterling hasn’t found his yet. But maybe Christmas is the time for miracles after all.

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Sterling has come to Christmas Falls to solve a mystery. No one in his family talks about his long lost uncle Freddy. But after the death of his grandfather, Sterling finds an old photograph of a young Freddy and a boy. The caption tells him Freddy was in Christmas Falls…two years after Sterling was told he disappeared. Sterling needs to know more about his uncle. They may have more in common than he imagined and there is something telling him he needs to find out what happened. This is how he meets Harvey, the cute guy who runs the Christmas Falls museum. They team up on this research project/mystery and in doing so, they may just fall in love. But is a future possible between them when Sterling is just here to solve a mystery? Will he actually stay? Harvey knows the chances are low, but the way he is starting to feel about Sterling, well, he may be willing to risk his heart. I really loved this story! It has this fun mystery element mixed with the romance story line. It was fun to see they do some sleuthing to find Freddy. With plenty of twists and turns, I couldn’t wait to see how this one ended!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Falls Season 2 Book 6: Christmas Beau by Amy Aislin

 

Christmas Falls Season 2 Book 6

Hank Beaufort's life is a mess.

Oh, he looks like he has it all together, but the reality is that he's freshly retired from an unimpressive minor hockey career, and the ink is barely dry on his equally unimpressive second divorce. Now he's the hockey director at the community center in a small town that treats Christmas like Santa Claus is real, and he's not sure his new career is any more impressive than the last. As the new guy in town, he'd be lonely as hell if it weren't for his dogs.

The one spot of brightness?

Scott Jersey, the adorably awkward single dad who brings his son to practice every week.

Hank's not interested in a new relationship so soon after the disaster of the last one, but when doggy play dates lead to real dates, will he be able to set aside his reservations to be someone's Christmas beau after all?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217358519-christmas-beau

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Hank has kept a pretty low profile in Christmas Falls since he moved in a year and a half ago. He enjoys his job as a hockey director and is hoping to really expand it into something more for the kids. Between his career and his 3 dogs, he is pretty content and not looking for love. Not when he has been divorced twice. But then enters Scott. The cute, adorable, and awkward single dad that is making Hank wonder if he has it wrong to avoid love. Not when he can’t help but smile every time he sees Scott and he just gets that feeling of happiness. Scott has crushed on Hank for a while and when he finally has moments to speak with him, well, even his twelve-year-old son realizes just how hopeless his dad is at dating. But Scott is gonna try his best. He may be figuring out what is next in his career and wondering how long his nomadic brother will actually stick around this time, but what he feels for Hank just increases more each day they get to know one another. These two were so adorable. Scott was this clumsy, sweet guy who clearly had this huge crush. And Hank was just as smitten! Really loved getting to know these characters and watch them fall for one another even when they have reasons to be jaded. Another great addition to his series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Falls Season 2 Book 4: Here Comes Santa Paws by Lee Blair

 

Christmas Falls Season 2

When a sunshiny cinnamon stick with paws-itively purrfect holiday plans meets a grumpy Grinch neighbor with a smokin’ hot... chimney, bells aren’t the only thing jingling.

I spend all year gearing up for the Christmas Falls festival season. Those five weeks are showtime for the animal shelter, and I’ve got it down to a science to help all my four-legged friends find their furever homes.

My well-oiled machine goes off track when I discover a massive leak at the shelter. And Grandpa, my only family, is recovering from a hip replacement, and I can’t stop worrying about our latest shelter dog. To put a star on the top of my anxiety tree, Roman, my Scrooge neighbor, is giving me a hard time about the festive decor on my half of our duplex. It’s not my fault I’ve got more Christmas spirit in my pinky than he does in his entire broad-shouldered body.

But something about Roman tells me he could love Christmas and this town as much as I do if he just gave them a chance. I don’t care if I’ve got a thousand other priorities on my list, I’m making it my holiday mission to get him to let down his guard and show me the wonderful and caring man behind the terse talk and award-winning RBF. It’s like opening a present on Christmas morning and seeing exactly what you wanted from Santa.

It’s all tinsel and sugar cookies until my heart decides it wants Roman under the tree. But his New Year’s resolution is to leave town, and I can’t let myself fall for a man who doesn’t plan to stick around.

Christmas Falls is my forever home. How do I convince him it could be his?

Christmas Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It's a multi-author M/M romance series.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217325337-here-comes-santa-paws

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Roman has never stuck around a place more than a few years. He grew up constantly moving and never settling in long enough to truly have a home. That habit followed him into adulthood and he has just followed his gut when it was time for a new adventure. So his time in Christmas Falls is about to end. He sent job applications out. So it’s only a matter of time…right? For the first time in two years, Roman is finally getting to know his sunshine and bubbly neighbor, Elias. The opposite to his grumpy self, with too many dogs, and yet, Roman has always been attracted to the man. Though he did his best to avoid him and basically everyone in town. But this season of Christmas is different. They cross more paths this year and when Roman finds himself fostering a dog from the shelter Elias runs after they had a major pipe break, he soon realizes that maybe he has been missing out on a lot by keeping to himself. I loved Roman and Elias’s dynamic. They were a great balance for one another. Elias respecting Roman’s boundaries but showing him so much that he has missed. And Elias finding someone who just understands him. They were quite sweet and adorable. And of course so many pups! Another great love story in Christmas Falls!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.