Saturday, August 31, 2024

Austin Troopers Book 4: Sidelining the Safety by Alexis Woods

Austin Troopers Book 4

For Lee Matters, Rookie Safety for the Austin Troopers, Texas is… hot. First, there’s the sun, blazing down on the weirdest city he’s ever visited. Second, there’s his team, containing some of the most amazing rising stars of American Football, who happen to be just like him. That’s right, gay. Third, his two newest friends, Mac and Drew. Both men are drop-dead gorgeous, and for some crazy reason, they both want him. Lee, however, doesn’t want to come between the two best friends. If he can just get out of their way, maybe they’ll finally see what they were meant to be… all together.

Best friends Mac and Drew know what they each other. Yet both men are determined to keep each other at arm’s length, fearing to ruin their friendship. A chance encounter with the newest safety for the Austin Troopers turns their heads and their hearts. Getting Lee to see what they do will require some strategic planning. They’ll have to put their heads together and come up with a solid game plan because it might be hot under the Texas sun, but it’ll be scorching between the sheets of Lee’s bed.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203878995-sidelining-the-safety

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Lee is beyond excited to be playing for the Austin Troopers…despite the fact that Texas is way too hot. Being the rookie is never easy, add in being in a new place on his own. But lucky for him that changes pretty quick when he. Meets Mac and Drew at a diner. Mac’s family owns the diner and him and Drew have been best friends their entire lives. When Lee meets them he can’t help but wonder why they aren’t a couple. Turns out there was a time when they were teenagers where they tried and it seemed like a disaster in the making. To save their friendship, they called it quits. But truthfully, neither stopped loving the other. And they were just too afraid to try again. But meeting Lee? They realize that maybe they were waiting for the right person to come along to bring them together. Because Lee is the missing piece to their relationship. They all need one another if anything is going to happen. And Lee needs them too. I adored these guys! We have such a fun friendship in the beginning as they guys get to know one another and take off the pressure of jumping into anything more. But it becomes clear the more they spend time together, the more they should be something more. Lee may be wary at first that he is in the way, but Mac and Drew are quick and steady to remind him that they want and need him too. Another great book in this series! This one is definitely a favorite so far!

Friday, August 30, 2024

Puckboys Book 7: Forbidden Puckboy by Eden Finley & Saxon James

Puckboys Book 7

Easton

You know what’s the worst feeling in the world? Being in love with someone since you were twelve years old, knowing they only see you as a little brother type.

Not even becoming an NHL star has made him realize I’m all grown up now.

All of that changes when I ask my brother’s best friend to ref a charity match and we spend an entire week in each other’s pocket.

Being close to him is torture, but for the first time since my adolescent crush started, I begin to feel hope. I swear Knox looks at me the same way I look at him. Or so I think. When I throw myself at him and get utterly rejected, I never want to see him again.

Yet, shaking him is impossible, because he and Connor are always around, and my older brother is suffocatingly protective. Every time I look at Knox, I’m reminded of how he turned me down.

Can’t I just die of embarrassment in peace?

Knox

The Kiki brothers are legendary in the NHL world. Thick as thieves, unstoppable on the ice, and the kind of family nothing can come between. Or so I thought.

For the last ten years, I’ve successfully hidden my feelings for the middle Kiki brother. Easton is snarky, determined, and the prettiest guy I’ve met. Ever since we stumbled across each other on a gay dating app and shared our secrets, I’ve felt a connection to him that I haven’t had with anything else.

But Connor is my best friend and when it comes to his little brothers, “protective” doesn’t cover it. I’m determined to take my feelings for Easton to the grave, but after a week in close proximity to him, my willpower is ready to break.

All it takes is one charity hockey match, a drunken night out, and a forbidden kiss for me to know that Easton Kikishkin is it for me.

And unless I want to lose Connor, Easton will never be mine.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214454713-forbidden-puckboy

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s the ref and hockey player story we have all been waiting for! It’s hilarious how many times I have seen people wanting a ref and hockey player book and how these authors heard this request and finally made it happen when it would work naturally with their series. Easton and Knox are great! I was super excited when we first met the Kiki brothers and was hoping for their books. And Easton is up first. Easton has been in love with his brother’s best friend for a very long time. But he is sure that Knox doesn’t feel the same. He knows that even if there was a small chance Knox felt the same about Easton, Knox’s loyalty to Connor would keep anything from happening. Which is exactly the truth for Knox. He won’t cross the line. No matter how much he wants to. But when Knox is asked to ref the Collective’s charity game and is around Easton more than he has been in a while, well it’s becoming harder to remember what he promised himself. But things are never so simple. Not when Easton has hit his limit of Connor’s protectiveness to the point where he has had enough. Had enough of his brother thinking he knows what is best and not being able to live out his life the way he wants even when he is finally out. It’s time for things to be out in the open. And when they do, Easton and Knox may finally have their chance. Until something else happens at least. Poor guys have to work so hard for their happily ever after! But I loved these two anyway. It’s clear how much they love one another and their future may be uncertain but if they can put their fears aside, they may be able to finally fight for what they want and have it all. Loved this story and I loved the new characters and the set up for what will be the next book. Because man is that going to be a fun one! This series just gets better and better and of course seeing more of the Collective guys always brings a smile to my face! Another great addition to the series and I cannot wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miami Nights & Club Lights Book 1: Dirty Martini by Addison Beck

Miami Nights & Club Lights Book 1

Rhys

My life hasn’t turned out the way I wanted it to.

Because of one stupid stunt by a kid I used to care about, I’m now slinging cocktails in a Miami club instead of getting my degree. In a split second, Everest Hill ruined my future, and I’m too jaded to ever move past it.

Only Elton—my best friend and his brother—connects us, but thankfully, Everest has made himself irrelevant in the last four years.

Until now.

When Elton heads off on a summer European adventure, I’m forced to babysit his little brother through his first semester in college, but I’d rather eat shattered glass than be a shoulder for him to lean on.

All the things I used to admire about Everest are tainted. He’s nothing more than a nuisance, a reminder that I’m going nowhere with my life, and when he starts to push my buttons? I prove that I can bite back.

We become trapped in a twisted game of loathing, always trying to one-up the other, never satisfied until one of us is crowned the winner.

But when I start to see the vulnerabilities that lie underneath his skin, the truth behind the facade, I can’t help but cave to the side of me I thought I buried.

Because Everest is not only mine to hate—

He’s mine to keep.

Dirty Martini is dual-pov, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s brother romance. With possessive hate, lurking grudges, and passionate feels, Dirty Martini will leave you panting for more.

This is the first in a series of interconnected standalones featuring the workers of club XO as they try to find their HEAs. Please use the ‘look inside’ feature to see if this book is right for you.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216041099-dirty-martini

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Rhys’s future was set. He was about to graduate valedictorian and he had his scholarship to an Ivy League school to become an engineer. But in one moment of protecting his best friend’s little brother, his future is ripped away from him. Four years later and he is not where he wanted to be. A bartender at the club XO. But at least he has had his best friend Elton by his side. But things are about to change. Elton is heading to Europe for the summer and his brother, Everest, is moving in to their apartment. Everest. The guy who cost Rhys his future and has never even apologized for what he did. He has kept himself away from them for years now. But there is no more hiding. Everest knows he messed up. He knows he was a coward and made mistakes and still does. He knows Rhys has ever reason to hate him. And Rhys isn’t afraid to show his anger. But things go from hate to lust really fast when the two of them push the other just a little bit too hard. Rhys questions everything. How can he continue to be angry when at the same time, feelings for Everest just keep coming. And Everest isn’t sure he can believe that what is happening between can mean more after everything and how he feels like a screw up. So can they forgive and move on in order to have a future? Man, I will say, it was hard for me to imagine how Rhys could forgive after what happened. He lost a lot. The only thing he got to keep was his best friend, who he never told the full truth to in order to protect him. And even though Everest had his own problems, it was still hard to forgive. But, these two have undeniable chemistry and when they slowly let down their walls, it is clear just how well these two fit together and how they are meant to be. I really liked our cast of characters here and I’m excited to see others in this series get their own books! Definitely had my eye on a few of them. Great first book to this series and I can’t wait for more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Peach State Stepbros Book 2: The Step Don’t by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

Peach State Stepbros Book 2

ASH

All stepbrothers need Step Don'ts.

Colin and I have ours.

Like, don't pit our parents against either of us. Don't hog the TV. And definitely...

Don't.

Keep.

Secrets.

These rules have done more than help us keep the peace between us.

After all these years since our parents got together, I can't imagine my life without Colin.

To most people, he's the hot, straight tight end for Peach State.

But to me, he's my backward-cap-wearing, football-loving, piggyback-ride-giving best friend and fellow Alpha Theta Mu frat bro.

Life's pretty incredible living together at the same frat house, but suddenly, I find myself keeping a particularly naughty secret.

I tell myself Colin wouldn't want to know what his bi bro does in private, but then why do I feel like I'm committing a huge Step Don't?

COLIN

There's nothing I'm more of an expert in than my stepbro, Ash.

He's a quick-witted, nerd-boy genius who's always there to help a friend cram for a test or capture bugs for me when they invade my space.

He's my favorite person.

Making him happy gives me a rush...but for the first time, he's keeping a secret from me.

When Ash cops to his Step Don't—his new extracurricular of doing dirty things on camera—I'm confused.

He is too, so we work together to figure out why this excites him so much.

In places we're likely to get caught.

After all, what's a little exhibitionism between stepbros?

I didn't even realize I could be into guys—or be so intoxicated by these new experiences—but exploring my bisexuality with Ash is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

And with each touch, each time we up the stakes, I discover I want more than just Ash's body.

I want his heart too, even though that surely must be the biggest Step Don't of all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208168533-the-step-don-t

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Ash and Colin have been inseparable since the moment they met as kids when their parents got together. Best friends all these years as well as stepbrothers. They are one another’s person. And it’s so clear from the moment we see them on the page together. And despite being stepbrothers, you can’t help but wonder how these two are not more than friends. Well, that’s about to change. Seems like both of them have been a bit oblivious to what they really feel for one another. And when something finally pushes them over the line from friends to more, they begin to wonder why they haven’t done this years ago. All feelings they didn’t want to admit or realize at the time, starts to make sense. What I loved about their story was that it wasn’t the bi guy falling for the straight guy or one guy having feelings and the other not noticing. It was very clear that despite the attraction between them, they didn’t really let themselves dwell on what that means until something occurred that kind of forced them to acknowledge it and be like oh, that’s what that feeling was. These two have clearly always loved one another and are constantly doing whatever they can to make the other one happy simply because it makes them happy too. They were just so sweet! And so funny! Get ready for a lot of laughs from these two as well! They had me cracking up the whole time. And I loved how they not fell in love but more like realized they have always been in love. Great series so far! And I expect the next one to be great as well!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rainbow Dorset University Book 1: Collide by Crea Reitan

Rainbow Dorset University Book 1

Hockey and football coaches on a collision course….

Lemon

With years of hard work, I’ve made the Rainbow Dorset University Unicorns football team the pride of the state. My reputation speaks for itself, so the school stays out of my way, and that’s how I like it. If they can’t handle my sparkle, they have no business in my shine.

Now there's someone new on campus—a washed up hockey player hired to whip the team into shape. The school had the audacity to cut my budget to pay him!

Needless to say, I’m furious. He just made an enemy he definitely doesn’t want. But why does he have to be so gorgeous?! Why does he have to have a beautiful wife and a perfect life? And why can’t I keep my hands off him and just yell at him like I intend?

Hansley

I was directionless when I retired from hockey. So I jumped on the offer from Rainbow Dorset University to be their head hockey coach. The campus is like nothing I’ve ever seen; full of rainbows, community, kindness, inclusivity. It feels like I’m in a brand new world—a better world—and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Everything is amazing until I meet Coach Lemon Frost, who clearly despises me, though I don’t know why. He’s definitely out for my job. But then he keeps kissing me and sending my entire world spinning on its axis.

I can’t tell if he hates me or wants me. The line is blurred. All I know is Lemon is about to make my entire world implode when I tell my wife I’ve been having an affair. Yet… I think I’m here for it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215702141-collide

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

A new series from Crea and I’m excited to see where it goes! I will say that part of me wishes I did read the For Your Love series before this book because so many characters from that one is involved. I have only read book 4 of that series, but you didn’t have to read them to read this new book. But I can see there was some background things that would have made me understand this one better and appreciate it more. So if you are someone who likes to be caught up and all that, you might want to consider! Again, definitely don’t have to! But I reached the point where I know I gotta go back since I’ve read everything else in this whole Crea Universe! LOL. So back to this story. Lemon and Hansley! I will say, like Crea’s author note, it did take me a bit to like Lemon and get into their story. But like all of her characters, there is always more below the surface and I love to see them grow. The story starts with Lemon being his very cranky and dramatic self and being upset that his budget for his football team is cut. Though the money is being split more between the other sports, he is especially surly because part of it going to the new hockey coach, Hansley, and his team. Lemon is used to getting what he wants and believes his team has earned it. And he will do anything for his team. While he keeps everyone at a distance, his team, his kids, they are everything to him. Hansley doesn’t get Lemon’s problem with him but he’ll still be nice. But what baffles him more is when an angry Lemon kisses him. And Hansley realizes he wants to kiss him back and not stop. This is just one thing that makes Hansley realize how much he has changed since he has retired from hockey and took this job. And that includes the relationship with his wife. Yeah, there is cheating (but not between our two MCs) but this was handled so well. Hansley knows immediately that he has to end his marriage and that they were always going down this path. And the more time Hansley and Lemon spend together, the more they are able to get to know one another and break down the walls they keep within. I really loved the development between the two of them. By the end you are rooting for these two and can’t help but love them even if they didn’t give you a reason to when you first start. But they are complex characters who deserve all the love in the world! I couldn’t put their story down. I loved the environment of RDU as well! There are several characters I would love to get stories from. This was just a really great story and I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cover Reveal! Flipping the Script by Willow Dixon

FLIPPING THE SCRIPT

Legacy Mechanics - Book One

by Willow Dixon

Cover & Excerpt Reveal

Release Date: September 26, 2024

Cover Design: Lori Jackson Design

Photographer: Michelle Lancaster

Genre: M/M Romance Standalone

Tropes: Enemies to lovers, childhood rivals to lovers, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, "there's only one bed", primal play and fighting as foreplay

Synopsis

Jesse

After years of working my butt off, I’m finally living the life I always wanted. I have a job I love, friends who’ve become family, and I’m enjoying the freedom of being single.

Then Sebastian, my childhood rival, moves back to town and my perfect life is thrown into chaos. We’ve always hated each other, but now there’s something else between us. Something wild and primal, something that wants to make Sebastian submit as much as it wants to claim him.

Hooking up with the guy I hate is probably the stupidest thing I’ve done, and that’s saying a lot. But it’s hard to remember why it’s a bad idea when he’s the only person who’s ever made me lose control, and the only man I can’t stay away from.

Sebastian

Retiring from the music industry at twenty-five wasn’t in my long-term plans. Neither was moving home after being away for seven years. But here I am with a serious case of burnout and no idea what I want to do with the rest of my life.

I hoped that moving back would give me a chance to shed my public persona and just be Sebastian again, but that doesn’t seem to be happening any time soon.

The only thing in my life that makes sense is my old rivalry with Jesse, the guy I’ve hated since we were eight. Arguing with him is as exhilarating as it is familiar, and no one is more surprised than me when a fight leads to our first kiss, then more.

Jesse may be the most annoying person I’ve ever known, but the tension between us is too strong to ignore. I hate that I want him but love that he can’t stay away from me either.

Add to your TBR List!

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About the Author

What can I say about myself? It’s kind of like being the new kid in school and being asked to tell everyone a bit about yourself. Anyone else forget everything they’ve ever liked, thought of, and even their name in those moments?

A few facts about me; I’m a veteran, I’m Canadian, and I love books! I’ve been writing my own stories since I was eight and wrote my first novel at sixteen. I’m the first to admit those attempts weren’t my best work, but they started me on a journey of creating stories that has led me to fulfilling my dream of becoming an author. I’ve written and published in several genres under different names, but MM is by far my favorite, and I’m so happy to be able to share my stories with people today.

I currently live on Canada’s east coast with my kiddo and my cats. I have a shoe collecting addiction, and I enjoy taking long walks, discussions with friends, and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on.

Connect with Willow

Website:

https://www.willowdixon.com/

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3hQpa68

Facebook Author Page: https://bit.ly/3vjfWmg

Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3FZeg66

Goodreads Author Page: https://bit.ly/3WGqR5z

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Gi2C7U

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Thursday, August 22, 2024

New York Gods Book 2: The Retreat by Andi Jaxon & JR Gray

New York Gods Book 2

I’ll do anything not to marry the girl my parents want me to.

Including marrying her brother in a drunken panic.

I’m not gay, but I can fake it long enough to get our parents off my back, right?

Cue hiding out for the next two years, but nothing is that simple, because I’m offered a spot on the US National team.

Now we have to fake it for the entire world as the poster boys of gay fencers while Colin makes me doubt everything I think I am.

I’m not prepared for all the ways I depend on Colin. Or the place he’s filling in my life.

But I can’t keep this up.

I’m slipping on a national stage.

And he’s going to press every button until I snap, ruining this for us both.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205956914-the-retreat

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

In an attempt for Colin to save his sister’s fate and for Owen to not have to marry a minor, Colin and Owen decide the best way to ruin their parents’ plans are to get married. Well, first, Owen will decide running to Vegas and drowning his sorrows as he figures out what to do is his first move. Until Colin tracks him down and when they are good and drunk, marriage occurs. And lucky for them their plans work. Parents are extra pissed but at least Colin’s underage sister doesn’t have to be forced to marry anyone. But getting married isn’t enough. They have to prove to everyone their fake marriage is real and that means acting like a married couple. And that isn’t easy. Owen deals with anxiety and depression and his twin brother, Oliver, has always taken care of him. But Oliver is married now and he can’t be taking care of Owen forever. Colin helps Owen to stand on his own two feet but helps him at the same time. Colin has always wanted to feel loved and needed. And while he doesn’t think Owen will fall in love with him, he can at least help. But these two don’t really realize at first how good they are for one another. And that little by little every day, they are falling for each other. Colin makes Owen realize he can get some control over his life but also what it’s like to be in a physical relationship and just a relationship that isn’t with his brother in general. And Owen slowly gets to see and know Colin bit by bit. These two make you want to laugh and cry and just about everything in between. I loved getting to know their characters and see them fall in love in the unlikeliest of ways. Such a great addition to this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.