Van Doren Book 5: Malin by Crea Reitan

Van Doren Book 5

I’m haunted by a childhood of abuse.

Ten years ago, the Van Dorens rescued me from a megachurch cult where the leader kept me as his. I’ve spent a decade trying to escape my past.

But that past refuses to let me go. The cult leader’s voice lingers in my mind and his figure is always there in my peripheral vision. He reminds me that I’m his, I’m filled with sin, and I’m going to hell if I don’t join him in death like I should have when he was murdered.

The day Gracen fills my office with phone books, I discover that his presence silences the voice incessantly filling my head. As we get closer, the voice gets louder until one day, Gracen realizes that the cult leader isn’t in my head at all. He's haunting me—tormenting me—even in death.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241504361-malin

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

For those who follow the Van Doren series, prepare to jump ten years into the future! Which first off, was a ton of fun to see where everyone was at and all the kids of the couples we have come to get to know and love. And it made me extra excited for the stories yet not told but are on the way! Another thing to know that this story follows Malin aka William, the boy we saw in Avory and Ellory’s story that they rescued from a megachurch cult. He changed his name to try and escape his past but ten years later he is still suffering. Malin has spent the last ten years still tying to heal from the hell he spent his first fourteen years in. He’s been doing everything he can to heal but the truth of the matter is, he can still see and hear his abuser at every turn. It never stops and he. Has no idea what to do. But then something happens. A change that gives him quiet moments and the source? Gracen. Gracen has been at the Van Doren Estate the last four years to help those still trying to track down the members of the megachurch cult even all these years later. And coming to the Estate, he is enthralled by Malin. But he knows Malin has been through a lot. He would never do anything to make him uncomfortable or hurt. So he has watched but kept his distance hoping for Malin to one day see him too. But then a piece of advice later and a sweet and meaningful gesture, Malin finally looks up. And to Gracen’s upmost surprise? Malin tells Gracen that he brings Malin peace. And for Gracen, well he will do anything to help Malin and be by his side. Even getting rid of horrible spirits. I actually loved this story! First because we get to see the future of everyone a bit more clearly, but also of course Malin and Gracen. They took me by surprise by their love story. Gracen was so sweet and kind and just finally understood what Malin has been telling everyone for so long. He was exactly what Malin needed to help him clear the path to truly begin his healing journey. They were adorable. And after everything Malin has been through, he needed someone to see him and understand him and just be there to hold him and listen. Just an overall great story with an interesting twist and satisfying ending to a hard earned happy ending. 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Van Doren Book 4: Oxley by Crea Reitan

Van Doren Book 4

His scream changed my life forever.

I clean up the streets of Anaheim from the hate one man left behind. On the surface, I work with the local authorities but in secret, I kill those who hurt others.

During a planned interception, we arrive on the scene too late and a man’s scream fills the streets. The moment I look upon his face, my entire life shifts to make him the center. Instead of going to a hospital, I bring him home.

Now I need to figure out how to nurse him back to health and hope he can accept my quirks so I can keep him.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234175273-oxley

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Huntley’s neighborhood has only gotten more dangerous in the past year. The hate crimes have only increased and unfortunately for Huntley, he ends up at the wrong place at the wrong time. A gunshot later and he wakes up in a stranger’s home. And while he should be freaked out, the moment he spots Oxley he somehow feels…safe. Oxley and his team are assigned to Anaheim to make it safe again and the moment he hears Huntley’s scream, everything in his body rushes to save him. He takes him home and has his own doctor help him and in doing so it goes against everything Oxley would do. He never lets anyone in his home. He lives by certain rules for himself. And yet, he breaks it all for Huntley. And even though his ocd makes him itch to do certain things, he finds it a bit quieter with Huntley around. And it doesn’t take Oxley long to realize that Huntley is his. While Huntley knows he should be startled by everything, he still can’t help but feel safe and protected with Oxley. Deep down, he knows there is something between them and as he recovers with Oxley’s careful eye, he is more than willing to find out. Loved these two! I loved how Oxley felt like he could be exactly who he was with Huntley despite having grown up with outsiders telling him he was different and not normal. Huntley liked him just as he was and didn’t blink. And I loved that Huntley stood up for Oxley. I really loved the dynamic with these two. Their story was sweet and it was nice to get more of it after only catching small glimpses of them!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Games We Play Season 2 Book 6: Snapping the Ice by Christie Gordon

 

The Games We Play Season 2

I came for the contract. I stayed for a man who makes me disregard every rule I’ve ever known.

Lucas Hopkins

I’ve given everything to hockey — skipped college, left friends behind, all for a shot at the pros and a spot next to my brother. The contract is within reach. No distractions.

Then the PR team announces a shirtless calendar shoot to drum up buzz.

I expect awkward poses and fake smiles.

Instead, I find him.

Ezra Turner, all broody eyes and soft lips, moves behind the camera like poetry. His rare smile hits me harder than any check on the ice.

I’ve never been attracted to guys. That’s my brother’s story, not mine.

But maybe this isn’t about labels.

Maybe it’s about him. About us.

Ezra Turner

I’ve learned to keep my heart locked tight.

A crumbling relationship and years of scars have taught me that lesson well.

Then Lucas Hopkins barrels into my life — all cocky charm and surprising tenderness. He wants to protect me, but it’s his own heart on the line. I see it every time he looks at me.

He’s fighting something raw and real.

And I don’t know if I’m brave enough to fall for someone who’s still questioning.

But maybe this kind of love is worth the shot.

Snapping the Ice is a book in the multi-author, Games We Play hockey series (season two) and has ties to the Desert Ice Hockey series. It features a bi-sexual awakening, found hockey family, some forced proximity and a broken man clawing his way to happiness.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233997114-snapping-the-ice

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Lucas’s passion has always been hockey. He comes from a legacy of them, including his older brother. And one day he hopes he can go to the next level and play in the pros. He knows the day is coming soon but until then, he’ll continue to work hard. No distractions that will take him away from his game. That is, until his eyes catch Ezra. First off, Lucas never thought he would have feelings for a man. No one has turned his head the way Ezra has leading him to question a lot about himself. And when he witnesses the man Ezra is currently seeing as an abusive boyfriend, he can’t help but step in to make sure Ezra is alright. Ezra is at the end of a very terrible relationship. When his boyfriend crosses a line, he knows it’s time to end it. Especially when Lucas surprises him by actually sticking up for him and protecting him. No one has done that for him before. And the fact that at this point, Lucas is basically a stranger, it says a lot. With a dose of courage, he gets away from his ex. But it isn’t without complications. Especially when his ex refuses to leave him alone. Lucas becomes a friend and a protector. Then when they start to really learn about one another and decide to explore this physical attraction between them. It becomes so much more than either could have ever imagined. A lot of obstacles may stand in their way, but they’ll face them together. I really enjoyed Lucas and Ezra’s story! Ezra deserved so much more than he was getting in life and he found someone who actually respected who he was and cared and just wanted him to be happy rather than controlling him. Lucas could not have been a more perfect fit for Ezra. And I loved that Lucas let himself explore this new side to him. He knew Ezra was special and rather than run from it, he dove right in. A great story in this series! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.