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Review: The Rascal by Eric Arvin


Lana is a faded movie star who lives alone in a big house on a hill that overlooks the sea. She has lived this way since the death of her daughter and the disappearance of her husband.

Jeff and Chloe are a couple who live in a cabin below the big house. It was Chloe’s idea to strengthen their marriage; but she see’s now that it isn’t working. Jeff has become obsessed with the cabin and the old water well. Chloe only sees strangeness around her.


One night while talking on the computer with Ethan, Jeff’s brother, a feeling of dread comes to the fore. When Ethan sees a figure behind Chloe, he leaves his boyfriend and baby and sets out to save Jeff.


Chloe, Ethan and Lana come together to fight an evil that would destroy Jeff. Will they succeed or will all of them fall to the taste of a young cannibalistic ghost?





If you like being scared silly then this is the book for you! A warning though, it really isn't a romance, so if you're looking for some romance in your reading you aren't going to find it here. What you will find is a beautifully crafted, scary as fuck, story.

I love Eric Arvin's writing - it speaks to my soul. He is a writer who doesn't waste words, but instead uses them to sculpt the perfect story. This one is the perfect example of that. Ghost stories often veer to the side of melancholy, at least the kind I read seem to, this a one though filled me with good old fashioned fear. 

I have no idea how it was going to turn out. I had no idea how I wanted it to turn out - I was just swept along in the words and took each twist and turn with gritted teeth and half shut eyes. You know when you watch a horror film and that creepy music starts playing - you know you're about to be scared witless but you still jump when it happens. somehow Eric Arvin manages to write the screenplay (the story) while also writing the fright into the undertones (the music score). It's a talent I envy.

One of the ways he does this is writing amazing characters. I never knew who I liked. Who I didn't like. Who I felt sorry for or whose side I was on. Not one of our characters was written as a clean cut goodie or baddie. 

Chloe and Jeff, the main couple - well it would seem that they would be the ones to love. But they have their secrets, their own pasts. The marriage they - or at least Chloe - is trying to desperately save should be the focus, should have me rooting for them but...

Gah.

No spoilers. No spoilers. Just - if horror does it for you, then this is a  must read. It is everything I've come to expect from this author and more.

For more information check out Goodreads.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Hanukkah on Retainer by Astrid Amara

Ever since their plane went down in the Alaskan wilderness and they survived the crash, starvation, and a bear attack, Dan Lewinski and Connor Katz have been inseparable. Now they’re preparing for their first Hanukkah together. Connor is finally hoping for some normalcy in his life. And things between them are good. Really good.

In fact the only conflict between them is the evidence Connor stole from the cult of the Conscripted Army of God. Dan wants Connor to testify and use the documents to bring down the cult before it shatters any more lives. Connor wants to put the past in the past and not embroil himself in the cult’s business any more than he already has.

But then Connor’s little sister Kyrie shows up on the first night of Hanukkah. She’s finished her de-programming and wants to get closer to Connor, despite the fact that she still has ties to the cult, especially her boyfriend. But when the cult that made Connor’s young life a nightmare lures Kyrie back, he has no choice but to fight with everything he’s got.


  
I always enjoy Astrid's humor and this one was no different!

Dan and Conner had been together ever since they survived a plane crash together in the first book, Crash Plus Expenses. Dan had been hired as a PI to keep track of Conner, who had escaped and had evidence on a cult he grew up in. Dan fell in love with Conner from afar, but never actually talked to the guy until their plane crashed and they were the only two survivors. 

Now they're together, in love and all cute and stuff. They're celebrating their first Hanukkah together and Conner's first Hanukkah ever. He was born Jewish, but since his parents joined the cult when he was young, they never celebrated. Before the festivities began, Conner's sister surprisingly showed up to spend the holiday with them.

I adored Dan's family. They really stole the show and were a pleasure to read about. I loved reading about the traditions they shared together and how loving they were together. Conner was out of his element with them, since he wasn't used to a loving and accepting family, but they were everything he deserved.

The story mostly focused on the cult Conner used to belong to and him dealing with his sister being there. She was recently removed from the cult and Conner wasn't sure of her intentions. Their relationship was a rocky one at first, but I really liked where they ended up. 

Hanukkah on Retainer was a very solid read, with a great plot and the perfect amount of humor. Oh, and Conner's early gifts for Dan were too cute!


A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.


Find out more info on Goodreads!

FREE. FREE. FREE. A Serious Thing by Annabelle Jacobs

That's right folks, Annabelle Jacobs has a Christmas short out today and it's absolutely free on Dreamspinner Press and ARe only! A Serious Thing is the follow up to A Casual Thing. I'll be reviewing it soon... I loved it though. It was everything a Christmas story should be.

Patrick has a plan, and he’ll go to great lengths to see it through.

After three weeks apart due to work and school commitments, he and Will are finally getting to spend some time together. Patrick is staying with Will over the Christmas holidays, and he intends to tell him how he feels on Christmas Day. It’s going to be perfect.

But of course, Patrick’s plans don’t always go smoothly….




Excerpt: 
Will’s house looked less than welcoming compared to the rest of the street, and not for the first time, he wished he had someone waiting inside to greet him. Maybe he should get a dog.
Another thought struck him, and he smiled. Yeah, maybe he could do that too.
He texted Patrick to let him know he was home and asked what time he’d be round. The reply came back almost immediately.
Be there about six thirty. Just helping Ben with something. That okay?
Will glanced at his watch again—an hour and forty-five minutes. He’d rather see Patrick now, but at least that would give him time to shower and make a start on dinner. He’d like to cook something nice for them tonight.
Yeah, that’s fine. See you in a bit.
He pocketed his phone, opened the front door, then carried his bag upstairs to his bedroom and started to unpack. Something red poked out from under the end of his quilt, and he smiled when he plucked it out—one of Patrick’s socks. Will’s were all black, something Patrick mocked him for all the time. He stared at it for a second, remembering Patrick wearing them the last time he was there, then tossed the sock in the direction of his laundry basket. It was the only evidence that Patrick had been there, and Will found himself wishing for more. He wanted to look around his home and see Patrick’s presence all over it.
Soon, he thought, and he pictured the present he was going to pick up for Patrick. Hopefully soon.
  
Buy links: 
Amazon US - PLEASE BE AWARE THIS BOOK IS NOT FREE AT AMAZON UK OR COM
  

Author Bio:
Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They're usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.




Author Links: 
Email – ajacobsfiction@gmail.com

Review: Lover's Trill: A Magical Christmas by Viki Lyn

One year after reuniting with Andre, Leo is ready to take the next step in their relationship. Leo is tired of catching only fleeting moments with his lover. Between their exhausting concert tours, they hardly share more than a few days together.

It’s Christmas, and Leo has a week with Andre without distractions. Excited to be with his lover, he arrives at Andre’s lakeshore home earlier than scheduled only to find camera crews, catering vans, and worse, Andre’s ex-lover in Andre’s bedroom. Leo’s hopes are dashed at spending a quiet, magical time with Andre. He's not even sure if he wants to be in a relationship, let alone put Leo before his career.




Ok, I admit it. I only picked this up because I saw the word CHRISTMAS.

I can't help it. Christmas novellas just call to my soul.

Leo came home early from his concert tour to try and catch some quality time with Andre. They hadn't really spent any time together since they decided to give this whole relationship thing a go and Leo was tired of never seeing his boyfriend.

Too bad for him Andre was getting ready for a big show himself and didn't have much time for Leo. Andre did end up making time for Leo... but only once he was done with the show. 

I did read book 1 and I think it needs to be read before their Christmas story in order to get a good background on Leo and Andre. Their actions left a bad taste in the first book and I'm sorry to say, but it kind of happened again. Curse you Christmas stories and all the promised holiday cheer!

I don't feel like there was any resolution for the problems they faced. Leo was upset that they had to hide and didn't spend much time together. Well... they were still hiding and the whole 'spending more time together' thing was never fully addressed. Are they really making a change? Or just dealing with their dueling schedules? I don't know. 

And then there was some magical element with an elf or something? It wasn't fully fleshed out, so I'm not sure. But if he was supposed to make their relationship all better, I'd say he failed. Just because they were happy in that moment (in the bedroom, no less) without any substance, then I don't think anything was accomplished between them.

Unfortunately, Lover's Trill: A Magical Christmas didn't live up to my Christmassy fluff expectations.


A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.

Review: The Final Round (The Square Peg #4) by Jane Davitt & Alexa Snow





Reeling from the news of his mother's death, Shane heads back to England to face a hostile father. Benedict's with him every step of the way, providing a shoulder to cry on and an escape from sorrow by way of their increasingly powerful and intense scenes.

Grieving and guilty, seeking a reconciliation with his father, Shane makes a hasty decision that brings him peace of mind, but at a heavy cost to his relationship with the man he loves. Is it time to call it quits or time to grow closer still? In the wake of his loss, Shane finds that question doesn’t have a simple answer -- but questions of the heart never do.





Ben, Shane,




The end.





Kidding. You know how I do! C'mon.

I do love them, though. True story. I was so excited to learn these authors were revisiting the original Peggers I believe people the next county over heard me. There isn't a bit of disappoint in me either. They're one of those couples that makes even the most banal events seem sexy and oftentimes a little naughty.

Brace yourselves, people, because this book is HOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT! I was reading this at work and at one point I seriously contemplated "faking an illness" so I could go home for some "me time". Another true story. Which reminds me, as a side note/word of caution: I wouldn't read this in public. Because high probability of embarrassing situation arising.


Every thrust threatened to life Shane off the ground, and he literally couldn't move, not with Benedict's arm around him, Benedict's cock inside him, and his jeans around his calves. He wasn't much more than a sex doll, unable to do anything but be manhandled and fucked as Benedict pleased.








Ben and Shane go across the pond to organize Shane's mother's funeral. Trigger warning:  Shane's father is a bigot. He's provincial, narrow-minded and an alcoholic. He was abusive to Shane as a child and a shitty husband. In other words, he hit the jackpot in the Asshat Lottery. But he's the only father Shane's got. I do think he loves Shane in a twisted way and age has mellowed him some, but he's not a likable character. 

Complex layers of character development are what held my interest in this slice of life book that isn't action packed or full of dramatics. Shane's guilt over his estrangement from his parents, his self-worth issues and struggle to figure out his place in the world are the engine that drives this story. Ben is his North Star. Always. Through this tragedy, though, their relationship is tested and strengthened.

It's a walk down memory lane for Shane and brings forth emotional turmoil that Shane doesn't know how to cope with on his own which is where Ben comes in. I wouldn't go so far to say that he reads Shane like a book but he knows his tells, isn't afraid of his bluster and pushes him to open up which sets off new avenues to explore within their relationship. 

I think for me what makes them so interesting to read about is their relationship is this organic entity that keeps growing and evolving; they're not static even after 2 yrs together. They're still exploring the kinky aspects of their relationship and both are willing to try things, some successful, some less so, but all learning experiences that they can alter to fit their dynamic.


"You're mine. You don't get to hide. I own you, Shane. Mine. Every scream, every smile, every bruise. And I won't settle for the parts of you you're willing to share. Got that?"

I have my suspicions about the direction of their relationship but I shall keep them to myself. 

Most of the book is spent in England with some bizarre food worthy of Andrew Zimmern that's got me thinking Brits have a weird obsession with chicken. I did thoroughly turn green with envy enjoy how Shane was Ben's own personal tour guide. Everyone should have that person who says don't eat there or if you do that you're totally getting ripped off. Someone should invent this, though I believe they'd be receiving some side eyes from me were they to suggest a chicken and sweet corn sandwich. *still gagging*

The characters from the previous books made appearances and a couple of new ones were introduced who, I'm guessing, may get their own book? Soon? And please let them be kinky.


Pew! Pew!


Pulled out the BIG GUNS!  


Highly recommended but cannot be read as a standalone, though you really only need to read The Square Peg to get caught up.






A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads.

Tag Team Review: A Seditious Affair (Society of Gentlemen, #2) by K.J. Charles

K. J. Charles turns up the heat in her new Society of Gentlemen novel, as two lovers face off in a sensual duel that challenges their deepest beliefs.
 
Silas Mason has no illusions about himself. He’s not lovable, or even likable. He’s an overbearing idealist, a Radical bookseller and pamphleteer who lives for revolution . . . and for Wednesday nights. Every week he meets anonymously with the same man, in whom Silas has discovered the ideal meld of intellectual companionship and absolute obedience to his sexual commands. But unbeknownst to Silas, his closest friend is also his greatest enemy, with the power to see him hanged—or spare his life.

A loyal, well-born gentleman official, Dominic Frey is torn apart by his affair with Silas. By the light of day, he cannot fathom the intoxicating lust that drives him to meet with the Radical week after week. In the bedroom, everything else falls away. Their needs match, and they are united by sympathy for each other’s deepest vulnerabilities. But when Silas’s politics earn him a death sentence, desire clashes with duty, and Dominic finds himself doing everything he can to save the man who stole his heart.




Cupcake

Let me just say I continue to be dazzled by Charles’s writes. It’s clear she enjoys research something I find highly satisfying myself and I do appreciate any efforts toward depicting historical events accurately.

This series takes place during the Regency period and various actual historical events tie the Society of Gentlemen to their less affluent counterparts. That divide is highlighted in A Seditious Affair probably more so than any of the rest of the series. Possibly. We’ll see what Richard’s story holds in store.

The stories overlap slightly. Here we pick up with Silas and Dom towards the end of the events of A Fashionable Indulgence. They have been meeting for several months by this time. Most of the other gentlemen make appearances none more memorable than daft Ash’s.

Silas, seditionist and ruffian, and Dom, his Tory, having been meeting every Wednesday since some clairvoyant individual paired them up. What they do on those Wednesdays was… ah… surprising? I didn’t realize Charles dabbled in the kink, but my surprise quickly turned to glee at their enterprising kink. Humiliation, bondage, a little pain-good stuff, people! Minus all that high protocol stuff that makes me twitchy.

What I liked best about them is despite their class differences they treat one another as equals even with regard to their kinks, they make allowances for one another. They’re thoughtful, mindful of the other. They are both strong characters who are steadfast and loyal without being inflexible. They’re also likeable.

It’s clear early on that these two have fallen for each other but both of reluctant to admit it because why? What good can possibly come of it? They have no future, right? And, honestly, I had a hard time envisioning a future for them that was plausible. But the conflict and resolution were both delivered with a simplicity and complexity that I bought hook, line and sinker.

Why not 5 hearts then?

As much as I enjoy historical events that’s not what draws me to books such as these; it’s the romance. There was a good bit of politicking in A Fashionable Indulgence to be sure, but I felt it was happily in the sidecar whereas I felt it was vying for the lead role in A Seditious Affair. I liked it slightly more than the 4 hearts I’m giving it, but not quite 4.5 and we don’t have a gif for 4.25 so 4 it is.

Still an excellent read and highly recommended. It could probably be read as a standalone, but would resonate more having read Harry and Julius’s story. As always, your mileage may vary.



Baby

I was very happy for the future pairings in the Society of Gentlemen series. And this series thankfully features a different couple each book. But Cyprian, the redheaded valet/spy make an impression on me. Immensely. I was all over the ginger (go figure). He's cunning and bends the rules? I wanted to spring on top of him like...I dunno what. But I wanted Cyprian like I wanted my next breath. And his book won't be out until next year.

So I figured, A Seditious Affair, (book #2) was going to be a filler book, a stepping stone if you will. I was just going to enjoy the read but knew the main dish would be with the ginger.

K.J. Charles knocked me out with her words...AGAIN!

I shouldn't have underestimated the words of K.J. Charles. Or even thought for a second that it was going to be a filler book. Sweet Cheesus, the couple...their words to one another...the kink...this story!

Consideration, that was what it was...That tiny piece of thoughtfulness from a gentleman who wanted to be fucked into the gutter, but who noticed how the man in the gutter felt.

As per usual, it was word porn for the mind in A Seditious Affair. And K.J. Charles and kink, who knew? BDSM before it was formalized but not heavy for those who shy away from kinkier romances.

Silas, the ham fisted brute with a mega chip on his shoulder who breaks the law while fighting for the every man's rights is the dom in the relationship. He's thoughtful, he's creates the scene and he knows his gentleman sub, Dominic. Through him, Dominic gets to not only recognize the part of himself that has been shamed by his former lover, but he gets to finally have someone in his corner. Dominic was not weak for having his predilections and through Silas, he was even stronger.

If only their lives coincided as easily as their bedroom activities. They were on opposite sides of the fence, gentleman vs. working man. Silas was the seditious writer when not selling books and Dominic worked for the Home Office, the very institution that was trying to snuff out people like Silas. How could they ever have a HEA? At points, I thought it wasn't going to happen. Silas and his stubbornness and pride would get in the way but Charles makes the story work, as well as the men work for their happy ending.

Of course with the help of wonderful supporting characters including, the gentlemen Ricardians, a slew of folk that made the tensions run high and kept the pace going. But I must discuss the standouts

Zoe! I thought I was half in love with Shakespeare...but he has a new contender in Zoe, the ballsy madam of Millay's.
"We all knew who he was except you," Zoe hissed, "and we all knew who you was except him, and how the fuck was anyone to know that you two was too stupid to ask each other?"
I thoroughly enjoy the way this author handles diversity in this time period and she doesn't just make a free black another part of the scenery, seen but not heard. She gives them a voice. She gives them character. And Zoe...she goes onto my faves secondary characters list. She's ballsy and smart...I adored her. Almost as much as the other scene stealer, Mr. Julian Norreys - the star of book #1, A Fashionable Indulgence.


Julian Norreys...I lived for each and every scene he entered, each scathing remark was pleasure unbound. He's still not my fave character from this author but he's a close second. Bless his tongue, may it never part from his head. I think he was even better in this book. I don't know but I'm so tempted to start a Norreys fan club - Harry being the president of course.

Enough about the two breakout characters (though the secondary characters get more depth added to them, so I applaud all of them), this story is isn't just delicious kink (D/s, mind games, bondage, HUMILIATION- score!) and the gut wrenching love Silas and Dominic had for one another. (I'm not spoiling since it's apparent from the first page about their connection)
He'd enjoyed doing that. Marking the Tory, stamping him his. Making sure any trespassing society gentleman would know Silas had been there first.
It's also about politics of the times, the haves maintaining an iron fist grip on the wealth and letting the have nots suffer. It's about social injustice. It's about sedition. And the author researched it thoroughly and added a lot of detail. It might be point that could possibly turn some off. It gets heavy. But to me, this was Silas and Dominic's tale. They were in the thick of politics, so of course, their story would be bloody political. And it's based on real events and it made me sad how close to current events they are right now.

I think the story as a whole worked. There was romance, there was action, there was sex and grit. And most importantly there were words. Lovely words that transported to a favorite time period of mine and showcased a different side. And made it interesting.

While I now purr in glee for the next book (April can't get here soon enough), A Seditious Affair is most certainly not a book to scoff at. Silas and Dominic are a very solid couple, I think even more so that Harry and Julian.

It's one of my favorite reads of the year.

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes

A copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review

Review: Champagne Kisses by Lynda Aicher

The Christmas Eve wedding Evan Cleary pulled together in four weeks is crashing down around him and taking his fledgling event planning business with it. With an empty altar and over a hundred guests arriving soon, he turns to the resistant, gorgeous brother of the runaway groom for help.

When Richard Patterson’s flamboyant brother storms out hours before he’s scheduled to marry his equally dramatic partner, Richard is left dealing with the fallout. The last thing he wants is more drama, yet he can’t deny his attraction to the effeminate event planner trying to salvage the wedding.

Evan thinks his crush on Richard is a lost cause, but one steaming kiss later, he learns different. What starts as a night of hot sex turns into a connection neither expected. But Evan knows their relationship is hopeless unless the ultra-conservative Richard can embrace every part of him—both in private and in public.



Ho, ho, ho hum.


This barely made it to three hearts for me. Barely. It's not kinky. It's vanilla with an extra shot of vanilla bean sprinkled with sweet Christmas jizz and champagne kisses. Nothing wrong with it but I thought I was getting something along the lines of D/s. Not regular slap and tickle. I actually fell asleep during the long sex scene. I'm yawning now just thinking about it.

Let me back up before I get to my gripes. Because technically, the story follows a recipe that is standard in romance. It's tried and true:

Person A and B don't like each other for whatever reason. But secretly (or not as secretly) they lust after one another. Person A is an alpha and is outwardly a jerk but the author gives reason(s) why the reader needs to like them, so Person B can accept Person A's penis inside without much fuss. And the reader can get on with their daily life because penis hugs are the stuff of magic.

Bingo, bango, bajango! You can flip it up or down, spice it, sweeten, whatever, the method has been tested and it sells.

This recipe aka Champagne Kisses is vanilla champagne Christmas spunk flavored.

Evan happens to be Person B in the scenario. He is a flamboyant openly homosexual man who is doing great things for himself with his event planning business. Except the Christmas Eve wedding he planned has gone off the rails, due to a mega cat fight between the grooms.

Duh-dun-dun!! Enter person A, one of the cat fighting groom's brother, Richard. Richard is a conservative businessman who doesn't do "femmes" or public displays. So the cat-fight meltdown is a scene from his personal hell. Richard wasn't much of a character to me. I guess if you're not looking for much depth, he's alright. I didn't see the appeal. Erm...he was nice to his mother and brother. His kisses take forever and he can fuck. *shrug* But remember...I was bored. I'd rate him a 2-2.5 out of 5. Nothing to write home about but Evan seemed into it.



And I'm not familiar with this author's style though it reads reminiscent of MF erotica I've read in the past. (In fact, I think I'd have like this better if it was hetero erotica more because maybe Richard wouldn't make those jerkwad comments to Evan.) But Richard...redeemed himself in the Jizzmas spirit, yadda, yadda, yadda sex in a mirror, he feels alpha protective for the smaller 'weaker' man.

Let's get the other third of the story shall we? Because the story basically covers just the night. The relationship building prior to the fateful night happens off page, the reader gets hints from Evan and Richard's account interspersed between the pretty words. The words were a degree or two below purple. So maybe violet or lilac? Sometimes it dragged the scene down for me, to be honest, and it wasn't like there was much there to start with.

But I thought based on the publisher that maybe the truck might be driven through Pound Town. At least the fuckhot part of town. *shakes head* Or maybe a little kink might be found, something hot? But it was tame for me. And I don't mind vanilla either but it didn't bring anything new, exciting or memorable to the table.

The pretty words came to ruin any semblance of erotic for me when "channel" came to play.

"Channel" to describe ass.

"Channel": still being used in 2015.



Unless we're talking television...why? A dreaded "c" word of mine. I have three of them that make me cringe when reading romance: channel, canal and chute.

I thought maybe it'd get better...but then another dreaded c made an appearance: canal.


In the year two thousand and fifteen...still!

I could hear the slow sinking of the Jizzmas ship once canal came to join channel in anal descriptors. I'm not going to discuss why channel and canal during sex isn't hot because unless it's some part of role play where maybe there's a pantless gondolier or boat driver involved...I just can't.


Maybe you can, but me?

No.


So it ends in a HEA and champagne kisses and a sweet epilogue. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't anything to put on my Jizzmas list. I thought there was going to be something worth a blip maybe during that extended sex scene when the champagne bottle came out in the bedroom but nope, just standard sexy times play.


I liked the epilogue? *tilts head* Yeah, great use of one. So, I bumped up my rating to a three.



Hey, despite being Santa jizz and not being really impressed with the relationship, the recipe worked.(Okay...I'm still leery of Richard. I don't think redeemed himself enough. But that's me.)

Might work best for fans of the recipe and vanilla with a side of vanilla bean Santa semen sugar.

Can my Christmas pussy frown turn upside down?

The hunt continues... (I'm not searching too hard)

For more information on Goodreads or Booklikes!

Review: One Step Too Close (Sex & Mayhem #6) by KA Merikan

--- One love. One motorcycle club. Two stepbrothers. ---

Ryder. Controlling. Ambitious. Protective.
Jed. Self-destructive. Trapped. Lonely.
Their love? Forbidden. Taboo. All-consuming.

For Jed, the Coffin Nails Motorcycle Club is family. With them, he learned how to think, what to enjoy, and how to fight, but there is one thing he knows his friends can’t find out about. They would never accept him as gay, and so his life is a constant struggle with desires that fill him with despair. Only there is a much darker secret lurking in Jed’s heart. His feelings for his stepbrother, Ryder, go far beyond brotherly. Trapped with a yearning that can never be fulfilled, Jed spirals out of control and unwillingly puts the love of his life in danger.

Ryder is climbing up the ranks. Recently promoted to sergeant-at-arms, he has it all: drive, respect, and the love of his biker family. When his stepbrother gets into trouble with the law, Ryder decides to take the blame and save him from a long sentence. Deep inside, he knows there is nothing he wouldn’t do for Jed, but through a desperate attempt to suppress his own hidden desires, he might irreversibly break the man he secretly loves.

But finding out what they feel for each other will test their loyalty to the Coffin Nails MC and change their lives forever.



KA Merikan + bad boy bikers + stepbros = ALL THE HEARTS AND STARS AND THINGS.

Jed was falling apart. He was being blackmailed, had to hide his true self, and to top it all off, he's in love with his sexy as hell step-brother. All of these things had to be hidden and it's killing him. Especially since he couldn't share any of it with the one person he needs the most, Ryder. His coping mechanism was... well, he doesn't have a coping mechanism. Unless you count self-loathing and self-destruction.

Ryder was pretty much the complete opposite of his brother. He's fiercely loyal to the club, responsible, and works hard to move up the ranks. He had a girl that he loved, but when things changed some feelings he had been suppressing came to light. And all those feelings were focused on Jed.
"'You sure you want to do this?' he asked, but was already unbuckling Ryder's belt.

At this moment, Ryder would probably say yes to anything Jed wanted. He nodded and cupped Jed's face, stealing another bone-melting kiss, swallowing the warm tongue and cool rainwater the dribbled down their faces. 'I don't fucking care anymore.'"
GAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWDDD. I am so glad Ryder didn't fucking care anymore because they were fucking hot together. Raw and totally all-consuming. All the pent-up love and passion and lust they'd felt over the years was finally out in the open.

It was intense. 

Everything about them was intense, not just the sex. Their emotions and loyalty to each other was strong and so damn hot. They really took care of each other, Ryder more than Jed, although Jed was there in his own convoluted way. I loved Jed and his hot-headed ways, but Ryder's loving and thoughtful nature really stole the show for me.

Their HEA was perfect and, although this is a longer book, I thought it was too short. (It's not really, this is just me being selfish) When it was over I was slightly panicked and went back to reread to make sure I soaked up all the Jed and Ryder I could. 

One Step Too Close was everything I hoped and dreamed this step-brothers romance would be. 



A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find more info on Goodreads!