3 Star Ratings

Book Review: Spring Frost Romance by Johnny Miles

Reviewed by Astros

Title: Spring Frost Romance
Author: Johnny Miles
Heroes: Jackson & Griffin
Genre: M/M Fantasy Romance
Length: 143 pages
Publisher: Deep Desires Press
Release Date: June 26, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Spring is coming, and under the melting frost, desire stirs…

Jackson Frost is youthful and charming, even if he can come off as a bit cold at times. Griffin Kloss is a gruff, 30-year-old failed businessman in need of nurture as he licks his wounds. When the two meet, it’s love at first sight. And there’s something about Jackson that’s magical.

And mysterious.

Jackson has secrets, and with the spring thaw coming, it’s harder for him to keep them from his lover. As Griffin deals with an ailing mother and a life that seems to slip away, he longs to hold onto Jackson, even if it means denying the worst of his fears.

Some things are not meant to last, but Griffin is determined to find the one exception, even if he must learn to believe in a new kind of magic.

The magic of the heart…
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite

Reviewed by Ami

Title: The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows
Author: Olivia Waite
Series: Feminine Pursuits #2
Heroines: Agatha and Penelope
Genre: F/F Historical Romance
Length: 292 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Release Date: July 28, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: When Agatha Griffin finds a colony of bees in her warehouse, it’s the not-so-perfect ending to a not-so-perfect week. Busy trying to keep her printing business afloat amidst rising taxes and the suppression of radical printers like her son, the last thing the widow wants is to be the victim of a thousand bees. But when a beautiful beekeeper arrives to take care of the pests, Agatha may be in danger of being stung by something far more dangerous…

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: I’ll See You Again by Chris Bedell

Reviewed by Astros

Title: I’ll See You Again
Author: Chris Bedell
Heroes: Cyrus & Nico
Genre: YA M/M Contemporary Romance
Length: 227 pages
Publisher: Deep Hearts YA
Release Date: March 6, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: It’s the start of his senior year, and Cyrus should be worried about college applications, procrastinating on homework, and staying up past his bedtime. And he does, until his mother’s cancer returns.

To make matters worse, Nico Valentine—the person Cyrus hates most—insists on being his friend. Carefree, flirtatious, and spontaneous, Nico is everything Cyrus’s childhood never allowed him to be. When their English teacher offers Cyrus extra credit to tutor Nico, Cyrus knows he shouldn’t accept. He could use the distraction, though.

A fling soon ensues, and Cyrus realizes they have more in common than he thought. What is more, Nico is the first person who seems to get him and who is there no matter what. But, if Cyrus wants his romance with Nico to turn into something real, he’ll have to do something he’s never done before—be vulnerable with another person.

Adam Silvera’s HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME meets Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YOU’LL MISS ME WHEN I’M GONE in this tale of heartbreak and second chances.

Content Advisory:
This novel contains discussions and scenes of self-harm and suicide ideation.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Night Wolf by Parker Williams

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: The Night Wolf
Author: Parker Williams
Series: The Wolves of Lydon #1
Heroes: Gareth & Sean
Genre: M/M Paranormal
Length: 197 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: The night wolf is a legend told to scare children into obeying their parents. It is said that to control a night wolf is to harness limitless power….

Gareth Blackthorn has been Alpha of the prosperous Lydon pack for nearly two decades. Breaking with tradition, Gareth doesn’t take over other packs by challenge. Instead, he lets wolves come to him and petition for admittance. He’s had his pick of the best, the brightest, and the most talented.

Until now.

A power-hungry Alpha desires Omega Sean Adler’s talent… and his submission, whether given freely or not. He’s been on the run since he was fifteen, surviving any way he could, until one night, he knows he’ll finally succumb to the injuries from his latest attack—and he’s ready to go. That’s when Gareth finds him, and Gareth’s wolf insists on claiming Sean as his mate. But there’s something mysterious about Sean, something tied to the mark on his shoulder….

Now Gareth must decide. Will he keep Sean despite the dangers that will arise, or will he throw the young man back to the wolves? Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Something to Talk About
Author: Meryl Wilsner
Heroines: Jo & Emma
Genre: F/F Contemporary
Length: 333 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: May 26, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.

Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn’t come at a worse time—threatening Emma’s promotion and Jo’s new movie.

As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a “source” is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is “no comment”.

With the launch of Jo’s film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all…but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Hard Road Back by Andrew Grey

Reviewed by Astros

Title: Hard Road Back
Author: Andrew Grey
Heroes: Martin & Scarborough
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 186 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Rancher Martin Jamuson has a deep understanding of horses. He just wishes his instincts extended to his best friend, Scarborough Croughton, and the changes in their feelings toward each other. Martin may be the only friend Scarborough has in their small town, but Scarborough is a man of secrets, an outsider who’s made his own way and believes he can only rely on himself when the chips are down. Still, when he needs help with a horse, he naturally comes to Martin.

As they work together, Martin becomes more determined than ever to show Scarborough he’s someone he can trust… maybe someone he can love. Even if it risks their friendship, both men know the possibility for more between them deserves to be explored. But when Scarborough’s past reemerges, it threatens his home, horses, career, and even their lives. If they hope to survive the road before them, they’ll have to walk it together… and maybe make the leap from cautious friends to lovers along the way. Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Model Christmas by Jaime Samms

Reviewed by Ami

Title: Model Christmas
Author: Jaime Samms
Heroes: Sebastian & Cody
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 40 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: December 6, 2019
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Sebastian ‘s ideal Christmas looks nothing like his picture-perfect childhood experiences, but neither should it be spent wandering the cold streets alone and homeless.

Cody has no time for the holidays if he wants to eat. He needs a new model for his next commission–and he needs him now.

Seb can’t go home and Cody’s model took his pay and left. Both men are in dire straits, so when they meet over soup-kitchen chili they each see the answer to their problems in the other.

They never expected more than a means to an end, but now, that perfect Christmas might be as simple as seeing what’s right in front of them
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Ami's Reviews, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2019 | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Aftercare by Tanya Chris

Reviewed by Astros

Title: Aftercare
Author: Tanya Chris
Series: Ever After #1
Heroes: Garret & Aayan
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance
Length: 221 pages
Publisher: Tanya Chris Publishing
Release Date: May 17, 2017
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Aayan Denir knows Garrett Hillier was once a high-powered defense attorney, and—thanks to a leaked photograph—he knows Garrett is sexually submissive, which makes him ideally qualified to defend Aayan’s brother from the charge of murdering his sub. Aayan would do anything to protect Syed, even if he doesn’t understand how Syed could hurt someone he loves. He could never hurt Garrett. He only wants to take care of him—love him, serve him, cherish him. And maybe torture him. Just a little.

Garrett probably shouldn’t be dating his client’s brother. Right? And what’s the use in a confirmed sub dating a guy who doesn’t want to be a Dom anyway? The important thing is to get Syed cleared of the discriminatory murder charge he’s facing. Aayan is a distraction. But for the first time in the three lonely years since Garrett’s husband died, he’s feeling hope, ambition, and desire. Can he give up the pain he craves to find the love he needs?

As Syed’s trial date looms, Aayan and Garrett explore what a BDSM relationship means for them, and what they mean to each other.

Aftercare is a M/M BDSM contemporary romance about Aayan, a Muslim immigrant who’s not sure he can play the Dom role, and Garrett, a submissive attorney who walked away from his life when his husband died. 64,000 words. Continue reading

Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Guest Reviewer, LGBT, Published in 2017, Published in 2018 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Testing the Waters by Skylar M. Cates

Reviewed by Nikyta

Title: Testing the Waters
Author: Skylar M. Cates
Series: Shelby Beach #2
Heroes: Zane & Jordan
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Length: 240 pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: What if the right person could change everything?

Random hookups, saying “yes” to whatever, Zane thinks adulting should be easy. His childhood was a hard enough mess. After a health scare, however, Zane reevaluates his life and starts anew. When Zane meets Jordan, everything he secretly desires is finally in front of him. But Jordan Shelby’s family practically owns the town of Shelby Beach. Why would Jordan take a guy like Zane seriously?

Jordan only wants swimming lessons, so hiring Zane might have been a huge mistake. Even if Jordan resists Zane for now, the mere sight of the beautiful trainer fills him with yearning. Swimming isn’t Jordan’s only anxiety. Being nonbinary, Jordan’s dating life—hell, his life in general—isn’t always clear. Can he really trust Zane with his body? His heart?

Testing the Waters is a romance with a gender-fluid MC, a hurt/comfort trope, and a guaranteed happy ending.

Although it is in the Shelby Beach series, Testing the Waters can be read as a standalone. Note: Please look inside the copyright page for mentions of potential triggers.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, LGBT, Nikyta's Reviews, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Reviewed by Heather C

Title: Undercover Bromance
Author: Lyssa Kay Adams
Series: Bromance Book Club #2
Hero/Heroine: Braden Mack / Liv Papandreas
Genre: M/F Contemporary Romance 
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction.

Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a sous chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef.

Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub entrepreneur offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. He’ll need to call in reinforcements: the Bromance Book Club.

Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart. . .even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.
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Categories: 3 Star Ratings, Book Review, Heather C's Reviews, M/F, Published in 2020 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment