This was a fun Halloween short story that catches us up with the boys of MNCL. We get to see what they are all up to and have some laughs and sweet times! And we get some new povs with Max and Davis! Definitely need their book now! But if you enjoyed the series so far, you definitely want to check this out!
I live my life by two simple rules: I do what I want, and f*ck anyone who gets in my way. I also never back down from a challenge, and Shane is the ultimate challenge.
I mess with him because it’s fun, and because fighting with him is one of the few times I feel anything at all. He’s the only person who’s ever stirred any real interest in me, and after three years as rivals, it’s obvious that he’s not as straight as he thinks he is.
He wants me, he just doesn’t want to want me.
Then we’re forced to work together to steal some blackmail files from a rival frat, and the more time we spend together, the more our fights become our own brand of foreplay. Watching him lose control is the ultimate rush, so is knowing that I’m the only one who gets to see him like that.
Now I don’t just want him, I’ve claimed him, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine.
Fight or Flight is the third book in a new dark romance series set at an elite, invite-only college, and is a rivals to lovers story between two frat brothers who have more in common than they think. You can expect: rivals to lovers, a bi awakening, some forced proximity, hurt/comfort, primal play and fighting as foreplay, mild CNC, implied dubcon, mild knifeplay, domination and bratting, a protective MC, morally ambiguous heroes, not-so-secret societies, and lots of spicy times that will fog up your kindle screens as these two men realize that sometimes what you need has been in front of you all along.
Jace and Shane have been clashing since freshman year. Jace loves getting under Shane’s skin and has yet to be bored by their reactions. And for Jace, that says a lot. Hook ups to him are one and done, and no one besides his family has really kept his interest. But something has changed and Jace is determined to prove to Shane that this thing between them is more than what Shane thinks. But he doesn’t expect for himself to start to feel more than he thought he was capable of. And when they are forced to work together to learn who has betrayed their frat and is blackmailing everyone, they see just how deep their feelings go. Shane has always thought he hated Jace. Jace knows exactly how to make Shane snap and Shane for all the anger and grief he holds, doesn’t mind letting it out. But he never expected for his feelings to go beyond that or to even be attracted to Jace. But the more they spend time together, the more he sees beyond the mask that Jace has. He starts to realize there is a lot more to him and he likes being the one Jace shares it with. Really loved their enemies to lovers vibe! This series has been so good so far with the depths of the characters and their dark romances. The mysteries weaved in too keep you on your toes! Can’t wait for the next book!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice.
Blurb
Ryland Zervudachi lives for the game of hockey—and for the chance to build the kind of team unity that will carry the Columbus Pilots all the way back to the playoffs after last season’s crushing defeat. Off the ice, though, there’s one goal he hasn’t managed to score—the heart of Kyle Dabbs, the Vermont Trailblazers’ team captain and his long-time crush.
Kyle Dabbs has built a life centered on quiet strength. After a childhood scarred by his father’s verbal abuse, Dabbs pours his energy into his career on the ice and the book series he’s written to help kids like the boy he once was. He doesn’t need someone flashy, loud, and spotlight-loving like Ryland turning his world upside down.
But when an untimely appendectomy leaves Dabbs stuck at home, Ryland—recovering from an injury—shows up to help. Between late-night Scrabble competitions, pumpkin-carving mishaps, and long talks that peel back layers they’ve both kept hidden, Dabbs begins to see past Ryland’s bold exterior.
With chemistry sparking and walls crumbling, both men must decide if they’re ready to risk their hearts for something even better than a championship: love.
Excerpt
“Hey,” Ryland said, his mouth going dry when Dabbs’ gaze met his. “How’s your summer been so far?”
Dabbs leaned his forearms on the top of the high-backed kitchen chair on his left. It sent his biceps straining against his blue T-shirt. Ryland forced his gaze off them.
“Well, let’s see,” Dabbs said, his voice a deep timber that stroked along Ryland’s skin. “Bellamy and I just moved into a new place, so there are still boxes of crap taking up floor space in the kitchen. One of the kids at hockey camp this week decided the ice was too slippery, so he sat out almost every activity. And one of my dogs swallowed a bee.”
Ryland gasped. “Oh my god. Is he okay?”
“He’s fine.” Dabbs regarded him for a long moment, his expression softening. “Nice of you to be concerned though. How has your summer been?”
“Oh, its . . . ” Ryland stumbled over his words for a moment, still stuck on Nice of you to be concerned. “Fine. Good. I can’t top any of that, but my niece did puke candy all over my feet when I picked her up from daycare last week.”
Dabbs made a face. “Gross.”
“I was wearing flip-flops.”
Dabbs made gagging sounds.
“Imagine trying to get vomit out from under your toenails.”
“Oh god, stop talking.” Dabbs straightened and covered his mouth with the back of his hand, as though his gag reflex had engaged.
“On a lighter note, I built a canoe.”
“You . . . what?”
“Built a canoe. Well, me and six other people. We took part in a canoe-building workshop in Glen Hill over the past two months, and we built a communal wood strip canoe. We even took it out onto the water last week.”
“Did it float?”
Putting on his most scandalized Southern belle impression, Ryland brought his hand up to his chest. “Excuse you. Yes, it floated. Rude.”
Dabbs chuckled. “Sorry. You just don’t seem like the woodworking type.”
“Oh, I know how to work wood.” Ryland gave Dabbs an up and down glance. “Very, very well.”
He wasn’t sure what to expect from Dabbs. For him to be so turned on that his cheeks pinked and he stuttered over his words?
Dabbs, coolly confident in a way Ryland had never managed, did neither of those things. Instead, he drawled a lazy, “Me too,” and added three tiles to the Scrabble board, adding w, o, and d to an existing o.
Wood.
Ryland had to laugh, surprised by this aspect of Dabbs’ sense of humor. “Not exactly what I meant.”
Dabbs grinned. “Wood for eight points, plus a double letter score on the w for a total of twelve points. Your turn.”
Swearing under his breath—word games weren’t Ryland’s strong suit—he added a g and a t to an existing e, netting himself four points for get.
“It’s okay,” Dabbs said. “We can’t all be good at everything.”
Ryland laughed. “Oh, you did not just go there.”
“Hey, are we heading out to dinner, or what?” Jason called from the front door. “I’ll drive.”
“Do you play darts, Dabbs?” Ryland asked, grabbing his wallet from the table in the foyer.
“I’ve played a game or two,” Dabbs said hesitatingly. “Why do I get the feeling I’m going to regret admitting that?”
Ryland grinned. “You’ll see.” And followed the group out the door.
About the Author
Amy’s lived with her head in the clouds since she first picked up a book as a child, and being fluent in two languages means she’s read a lot of books! She first picked up a pen on a rainy day in fourth grade when her class had to stay inside for recess. Tales of treasure hunts with her classmates eventually morphed into love stories between men, and she’s been writing ever since. She writes evenings and weekends—or whenever she isn’t at her full-time day job saving the planet at Canada’s largest environmental non-profit.
An unapologetic introvert, Amy reads too much and socializes too little, with no regrets. She loves connecting with readers. Join her Facebook Group to stay up-to-date on upcoming releases and for access to early teasers, find her on Instagram, or sign up for her infrequent newsletter.
When control slips and chaos calls, some collisions are inevitable.
Cade Cormier is a brilliant quantum mechanics professor who can easily explain how energy behaves in the universe. But he can’t explain its absence within himself. Numbness has become his only constant, and he’s chased every force he can find to push back against it. But when drinking and self-destruction leave him emptier than ever, a different kind of force comes crashing into his orbit, and sets a collision in motion.
Alder Roy has spent his life balancing control with chaos—and bleeding for both. As Vice President of New Brunswick’s outlaw motorcycle club, the Basin Kings, he’s built his reputation on fear, loyalty, and danger. But when a rival club starts pushing in, threatening to drown the province in the kind of violence the Kings don’t want on their soil, Alder is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect what’s his. And that includes Cade.
As Cade’s hunger for danger grows, Alder’s obsession with him deepens, and each crack in Cade’s walls gives Alder more to protect… and more to lose. One fights to hold his world together while the other tears his apart—each driven by forces they can’t control.
In New Brunswick, where powerful tides transform landscapes in hours, winding roads cut through unforgiving forests, and cliffs crumble, nature doesn’t wait for permission—and neither can they.
They could be the force that holds each other up against the pull of destruction.
Absolutely loved this story! I could not put it down. Cade has been struggling for a long time. And lately, his depression has gotten worse. He’s numb and very few things break through that numbness. But then he meets Alder and bit by bit, he starts to feel alive again. The moment Alder sees Cade, he knows he is done for. There is something about Cade that draws Alder in and from the moment they talk and hook up, Alder is addicted. They understand one another in a way many don’t. And Alder can see behind the walls that Cade gives everyone to hide his pain. And while he sees the drowning, he also sees a spark that hasn’t quite been extinguished yet. So he’ll be there for Cade and stand by his side as he fights his way out of the darkness. And as Cade battles his own inner demons, Alder is fighting some real ones since he is part of Basin Kings, a motorcycle club, that is being threatened. But Alder protects those who are his and he will do whatever it takes to make them safe. I adored this story. It was just so good. You can feel every bit of pain that Cade is struggling with and you root for him to keep fighting and find a way to get the help he needs. And I loved Cade and Alder’s relationship. Alder knew when to give Cade exactly what he needed and never pushed. He was this sturdy presence who just saw Cade and understood. Something Cade just needed. They had a great connection and banter and just a love so deep, you can feel it every time they were together. Loved, loved this story! This series is just so fantastic. Giving us such complex characters and a love between them that is just everything. Definitely check this story out! I can’t wait for the next one.
GRITTY. RAW. A LITTLE EDGIER THAN THE AVERAGE HOCKEY ROM-COM
Dirk Boulder
Travis leaves the cloth he was using to wipe down the bar where it is. He can’t get out of here fast enough. I should have gone to the game with my friends. My non-blood-related brothers. Though speaking of brothers, I consider calling Hunter. I wish I could talk to him about this, but he’d blow a gasket. He’d storm in here, drag me to the truck, and lock me in that homemade prison he’s always threatened to build.
Kissing a man a lot my senior, my boss, and my best friend’s dad is not on Hunter Boulder’s life plan for me.
It’s Dirk and Travis’s turn! Been looking forward to seeing exactly how long these two have been hiding their relationship and how it all began. The first time Dirk sees Travis, he feels a pull toward the older man who turns out to be his best friend’s dad. But it’s not until years later does he realize exactly what those feelings are. He does his best to hide his attraction to Travis but then he realizes something…Travis is feeling this pull too. The two of them know nothing can happen between them. Between their age gap and Dirk being best friends with Travis’s son and Travis’s past, it’s a recipe for disaster. But the connection these two have is strong enough that one day, they finally have no choice but to give in. And once they do, they realize just how deep of trouble they are in. As Dirk watches his friends and their crazy up and down relationships, he has a secret of his own. All he wants is Travis. And even though he knows deep down that his best friend would be shocked for a moment before embracing it, it’s Dirk’s brother that worries him the most. His brother is his hero and basically a father to Dirk after he pulled them out of their mother’s home. And Dirk’s brother has sacrificed a lot to give Dirk a home and a future. So disappointing him is the last thing he ever wants to do. But it may be something he as to risk because of how he feels of Travis. Travis meanwhile is stuck on the age thing for quite a bit and how the world will perceive it. Throw in his past, he can’t help but worry. But Dirk makes him want to risk it all. Their story was such a wild ride! One thing I loved about their relationship was that their age really did just feel like a number. The connection they had was just so strong and real between them, you know they are meant for one another. I loved seeing the other characters through their points of view as well. It’s always fun to see what they are thinking at those times. I also loved that we have quite the amount of pairs left that could have their own book and I need every single one of them! Another great story in this series and I can’t wait for the next one!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Chaos erupts the moment Vad crowns Briar as his queen. Magic vanishes across the realm and almost everyone turns on Briar and Vad. Those loyal to them remain and help fight their way out. While those who were staging a coup pounce for the throne and take out the royals once and for all. As Briar, Vad, and their friends try to escape intact, they’ll have to fight to survive and hope for a moment of peace to figure out exactly what happened and what they can do to save those they love and their people. It is nonstop action the moment you pick up this book! Briar and Vad are fighting for their lives most of this story while trying to figure out what happened and what they can do next. Questions are finally answered and it’s a hard earned happy ending for these two. I really enjoyed this series! Briar and Vad were great and I loved watching them grow throughout this series. We also had a lot of wonderful side characters surround them which just made the story more fun. A great series overall. You definitely don’t want to miss this!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Mama taught me everything she knew right up until the day that monsters killed her and my family, while leaving me and my young cousins alive. The beasts will kill you on sight. Monsters will do far worse.
Yet, when a beast gets the best of me and I’m succumbing to its poison, it’s a group of monsters that save my life. They show me that maybe Mama didn’t know everything and there might be a different narrative to the hostile world around me.
Now these monsters want something from me. Something I’m not sure I’m brave enough to give them.
I went into this book pretty blind considering it is a spin off from another series by Crea Reitan. This is my first time reading this dystopia monster romance from her and I have to say it was definitely an interesting world! You won’t get lost jumping into this series, I followed it pretty well. I’m sure if I read the other series before it I could see how those lead to this world that took place a hundred years later. In this story we follow Rainer, Keary, Notto, and Drystan. A human and three different types of monsters. Rainer has been on his own for a while with his own animal like sidekick. He has been searching for the pod of monsters responsible for his parents’ death years before with little success. But when he is injured by a monster he is saved by three others. In this world there are definitely different types of monsters. Those who are more sentient versus ones who are more predator. Keary, Notto, and Drystan are very different from one another. And when Keary meets Rainer, his pull to him is instant. He tends to him and isn’t ready to let him go. So him and Notto and Drystan begin to show Rainer the good in monsters while also helping him track down the monsters he is looking for. Add in the idea of mates between them all and you got an interesting monster romance going on. This world wasn’t like anything I’ve read before and I’m curious to see how the series progresses.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Just when I’m about to ask him on a date, he shows up at Sip and Savor with none other than my twin, who beat me to the punch. Definitely not how I hoped things would go.
Except my brother isn’t the settling-down type, so three months into dating Briar, he chooses the worst time to dump him—right before Christmas and straight after Briar asks Nathan to accompany him home for the holidays.
As I try to console Briar, he surprises me by cooking up a plot straight out of the movies, where I go home to Maine with him, pretending to be his boyfriend.
It’s supposed to be a friendly favor, I get a trip to the perfect Christmas town, and Briar can save face with his family and childhood ex. Only just like back in Boston, we have fun together, get each other, and I swear the spark I always felt between us grows.
But how does a guy tell his twin’s ex that he’s had feelings for him all along? And can what starts out as a holiday exchange turn into the perfect happily ever after?
Dawson has had a crush on Briar for a while now. When Briar walks into Dawson’s coffee shop and they get to chat is the highlight of his day. But the day Dawson finally gets the courage to ask Briar out ends up being the day Briar walks into the shop…with Dawson’s twin. Sad because he missed his chance and for the fact that his twin, Nathan, isn’t really the dating for long type, he can’t imagine this will end well. But he knows he can’t say or do anything because what if it’s not? But Dawson is proven right when Nathan dumps Briar right before the holidays. And then when one thing leads to another, Dawson finds himself accompanying Briar home to be his fake boyfriend. And as they spend more time together, Dawson feels like his initial gut feeling about them being together could be right. But does Briar feel the same? Briar knew Nathan probably wasn’t the one for him, but doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt to get dumped before the holidays. Especially after mentioning to his parents that he was bringing someone. And sure it’s crazy to bring Dawson, but why does he feel like every moment they have together feels a lot more real than fake? Could there be something between them? This was a really cute holiday novella! Loved to see Dawson and Briar realize that they were meant to be all along! And in just in time for Christmas! If you want a sweet holiday romance, this book is definitely one to pick up!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Once upon a time, a bunch of authors wondered… could Heart2Heart, the dating and community app trusted by queer singles around the world, help find the perfect temporary Plus One?
Whether it’s to protect your ‘assets’ at a fundraising gala, attend an ex’s wedding, share a tantric yoga class, walk the dog, or stand by your side at a funeral, sometimes you just need the right person at the right time, and H2H is here to help make it happen.
As always, all proceeds from this anthology will benefit LGBTQ+ charities to ensure that love in all its incarnations will be celebrated and protected every single day of the year!
Another VanDoren story and this time it is Rhodes’s turn! When Rhodes needs a date to get him through a weekend at his old private high school for a reunion, he turns to Heart2Heart. That’s where he meets Bennett. Bennett is a total surprise for Rhodes. They just fit together and the fact that Bennett is un-phased by the fact that Rhodes has several very large wolves that he has trained and keeps with him at all time? Even more wow. Bennett adores Rhodes and his wolves and is glad he can be there for Rhodes during a weekend that is clearly hard for him since his high school was not one he liked. And when their weekend is over, well, they’ll have to decide if they are ready to let one another go. If you know the VanDorens, you know what to expect with Rhodes when it’s time to get into a little mischief. I would love to see this story expanded or just see more of them in future books from Crea!
Scoring a Sweet Thing by Jodi Oliver - 5/5 Stars
This was the most adorable story ever! Remi is a goalie for Seattle’s hockey team. And what do we know about hockey goalies? They are weird and you can’t help but love them. And Remi is no exception! Full of sunshine and a constant happy personality and an obsession with naming his marshmallows, there is one thing Remi is not a fan of. The bachelor auction his team is forced to do for charity. So when he is told he cannot be part of it as long as he has a date, he jumps at the chance. Leading him to Heart2Heart and Bailey. When Bailey’s best friend heads out of town, he tells Bailey to come out of his shell a bit and go do something. He joins him on Heart2Heart and when Bailey sees Remi call for saving against little old ladies he can’t help but laugh and be curious. Meeting Remi in person isn’t anything like he expected and only in the best way. And it’s clear that these two are head over heels the moment they meet and maybe they can have more than one night together. Like I said, utterly adorable. Remi is so sweet and happy and he deserves someone like Bailey who likes him just as he is. This was such a fun story!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Breaking down in front of a repair shop wasn’t what I needed. Neither was falling for the broody mechanic under the hood.
Casey
Football is my future—my escape, my identity.
But when my Beamer craps out in a sketchy part of town, I meet Ryker Hart, the grumpy mechanic who calls me a pretty boy and still makes my stomach flip.
Fixing my car turns into coaching his brother, crashing dinners, and falling harder than I should.
He’s rough around the edges and hiding his pain.
But when he lets me in, I want everything.
Even if that means risking my career before the draft.
Ryker
I don’t have time for cocky quarterbacks with BMWs and perfect smiles.
I’m busy keeping my shop running and my kid brother on track after our mom landed in prison.
But Casey Carter crashes into my life like he owns it, and somehow ends up coaching my brother, eating dinner with us, and making me laugh like no one ever has.
He shouldn’t want a guy like me.
And I definitely shouldn’t be dreaming of a future with him.
Quarterback Drill is book 2 of Desert Football and features a sunshiny quarterback, a grumpy mechanic, secret heartaches, brotherly bonds, emotional healing, and a swoony attraction that turns explosive. Expect dirty talk, dirty hands, and a love that refuses to stall out.
Buy now and fall for the boys who fix more than just engines.
When Casey’s car breaks down in front of an auto shop, he never imagines the broody hot mechanic will be the love of his life. Having only fell in love once and it ending with a broken heart, Casey has stuck to hook ups only. And with his attraction to Ryker, he figures that they can have a fun time together and move on. But Ryker isn’t anything like Casey expected. He challenges Casey in only the best ways. And he has his own responsibilities, like taking care of his brother since their mom went to jail and running his auto shop to pay the bills. But Casey ends up being good for Ryker too. He reminds Ryker to take time for himself and have fun. To do something for him and not for everyone else. And when Casey starts coaching Ryker’s brother, Ryker gets to see a different side to Casey than the sunshine cocky quarterback. Their futures are undetermined but the more time they spend together, the harder they fall. And letting go of one another doesn’t feel like much of an option. Casey and Ryker’s story was a good one! I enjoyed their opposite personalities that balanced one another out. The two deserve some happiness and it was sweet to watch them fall for one another. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: M/M Dark College Romance Standalone Tropes: Rivals to lovers, bi awakening, some forced proximity, hurt/comfort, primal play/fighting as foreplay, mild knifeplay, mild CNC, implied dubcon, domination and bratting, found family, protective MC, morally ambiguous heroes, not-so-secret societies, high heat and lots of steam
Synopsis
Jace
I’ve always lived my life by two simple rules: I do what I want, and f*ck anyone who gets in my way. I also never back down from a challenge, and Shane is the ultimate challenge.
I mess with him because it’s fun, and because fighting with him is one of the few times I feel anything at all. He’s the only person who’s ever stirred any real interest in me, and after three years as rivals, it’s obvious that he’s not as straight as he thinks he is.
He wants me, he just doesn’t want to want me.
Then we’re forced to work together to steal some blackmail files from a rival frat, and the more time we spend together, the more our fights become our own brand of foreplay. Watching him lose control is the ultimate rush, so is knowing that I’m the only one who gets to see him like that.
Now I don’t just want him, I’ve claimed him, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine.
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.
No one ever explained to me what to do when the man who took your virginity turns out to be the one in charge of your physical therapy.
NHL veteran Quinn Rhodes was supposed to be a one-time just a hookup who kisses like a dream and screws like a god.
Then, three weeks later, a freak accident threatens to destroy my debut NHL career before it begins. And if almost losing my spot on my team wasn't bad enough, I walk into my PT’s office and find him assigned to my recovery.
I can handle this, damn it. I can keep it professional.
And for a short while, it seems like Quinn’s willing to do the same. But it doesn’t take long for the two of us to shut our mouths and let our bodies do the talking.
If this was just physical, two guys scratching an itch, I could handle it. But deep down, I know there's more to it.
These stolen moments between us mean something. After all, Quinn doesn’t smile for just anyone, and the way he holds me when our hookups are over tells me that this thing between us doesn't have to end the moment my knee is healed.
The only question is, will either one of us be brave enough to take a shot on that goal?
Ferris knows he is in trouble the moment he sees Quinn Rhodes. The older, retired NHL player who lost his career when he was in an accident. There is something that draws Ferris to Quinn, but with his lack of social skills and autism, having any chance of making something happen with Quinn seems out of reach. Until it isn’t. They have one night together that Ferris can’t forget and though he knows it should only be one night, he wishes it wasn’t. Then a few weeks later, Ferris gets into an accident that threatens to end his NHL career before it begins and when he enters the physical therapist office, he faces Quinn once more. Quinn was drawn to Ferris the moment they met, but has done his best to keep his distance. Yet when he let’s them have a night together, it’s one that changes him. He knows he should let Ferris go. And he tries. Until Ferris becomes his patient. He is torn between staying professional and wanting to pull Ferris close. And it’s only a matter of time until these two give in to the connection between them. I adored Ferris and Quinn’s relationship. Quinn actually understood Ferris and gave Ferris a real chance to be himself and not worry about whether or not he was acting strange. Quinn just let him be and didn’t look at him differently because of it, but loved him more for it. They were one another’s safe space. And for Quinn, Ferris entering his life gave him a love that he didn’t think he could ever have given his past. They were just so sweet together! I loved getting to know them and watching them fall in love. Another great story in this series!
