Review: Out by Cara Dee

“I guess I always figured coming out was something you did for friends and family, and maybe it is, but it’s personal too, you know? The person I was last night is new. I wanna get to know him.”

I had two things on my list when I arrived in Los Angeles. One, track down Henry Bennington, the uncle and guardian of my little brother’s best friend, and tell him to get his ass back to Washington. He needed to do something about his nephew, who was turning into a douchebag. And two, figure out just how non-straight I was. For the past two years, I’d had all these fantasies, and now was the time to explore them, far away from my sleepy little town.

Nowhere on this list did it say, “Get Ty’s uncle into bed and fall for him.” I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with another city either. But between brunch, making new friends, and discovering the man I was meant to be, I lost sight of the future that had once seemed pretty damn vivid. How the hell was I supposed to merge my old life and who I used to be with the new dreams Los Angeles and Henry had awakened in me?

*taps mic*

Hello, dissenting opinion coming your way. This book didn’t work for *me* but there are a TON of other people who are squeeing over it. I had to channel my inner Dory to get through it. Just keep swimming. Since this wasn’t my jam, I swam like a boss to get to the end and came away feeling meh.

Zach, one of the MCs had been raising his brother long before he got custody at age 18. Having to grow up before his time, he is now a 27 year old that’s questioning his sexual identity. Zach decides that he can do this in Los Angeles under the guise of contacting the uncle of his brother’s best-friend(Ty) while he’s there. Ty is acting like a rich brat and Zach wants his uncle to come knock some sense into him. When Zach arrives in L.A. to meet with Ty’s uncle, he was expecting an old, uptight, suited business man. What he got was Henry, rocking his flip flops, cargos, and a drool worthy body. Ty who?

Henry is a 46 year old book store owner that became estranged from his parents after coming out. After the death of his brother and sister-in-law, Henry was awarded full custody of his nephew, Ty. However, for various reasons, Ty lives with his grandparents. Henry desperately wants a relationship with Ty and is grateful for Zach’s intervention.

Soooo, what didn’t work for me?

Zach. Zach didn’t work for me. The book was written strictly in his POV and I didn’t connect with him. He seemed childish most of the time with some maturity splashed in on occasion. There were many situations I had to toss up to his newfound sexual exploration or I’d have a headache. Henry wasn’t all roses either but he had some redeeming qualities that didn’t put me off completely. There was an insta-loveish connection without actually saying the words right away. I’m talking about the stage 10 clinger, no-condoms-needed-I’m-clean-and-I-trust-you-you’re-the-one, fast connection.

What else?

Everything seemed over the top and juvenile for 27 and 46 year old men. After discussing this with a fellow reader, apparently these situations were supposed to be funny. But, to me they fell flat. As a pancake. I may have appreciated the “humor” more if I had Henry’s POV where not everything was so dramatic. Zach wanted to be seen as a grown man that could make his own decisions; but that was contradictory to his thoughts, words, actions and reactions to others.

Another point of frustration was the writing style. We were told everything. Inferencing is a thing. But I felt like I sat through a 299 page lecture on insta-love, brunch and the L.A. scene. Telling, not showing + Zach = Sadface

Just Keep Swimming.

There were some odd additions to the story like Joseph, the return of Martin’s ex, and a situation at the corner store that didn’t add anything except more OTT drama IMO. By time I hit the Martin’s ex debacle, I was already over it and the supposed humor was flyin’ right by me.

Just Keep Swimming.

What worked for me?
I loved Martin “the queen” and Zach’s grandmother, Nan. They were both fun characters. Martin was fierce and had a great sense of humor. Sometimes OTT works and other times it doesn’t. Martin, Nan and their over the topness worked for me. Nan is everything I hope to be in 50 years; snarky, completely inappropriate, forever young, and loads of unconditional love to offer.

I also liked the premise that an older (not a teen) male decides to explore the questions he has about his sexuality instead of just sticking with the status quo of the previous 27 years. IMO, this story could have held up on that plot point alone without the minor role the Ty/Henry storyline ended up playing.

I wish I felt more of a connection. I also wish there was a dual POV to lessen the blow of Zach’s personality. Zach found answers about his sexuality and he got his HEA with Henry. *shrug* I’d recommend this book based on the fact that I’m in the minority with my feels and hope it’s a different reading experience for you.

Trivia Question: Name the novella set during a circus & the two protagonists have gun fetishes as well as unforgettable names. 20 pts

Random winner will be chosen 11/22. I'll be traveling all will so I will try to have winners notified no later than 6 pm EST.

Group Review: Watching and Wanting (Housemates #4) by Jay Northcote

Watching Jude’s cam show stirs desires Shawn’s always denied...

Shawn is adrift. Recently graduated, he’s stuck in a dead-end job that barely pays the bills. His girlfriend dumped him, his friends have moved on, and he’s still in Plymouth—going nowhere.

Jude is a student living in the same shared house. Out and proud, he’s everything Shawn’s been running from since he hit puberty. When Shawn discovers Jude works as a cam boy, he can’t resist the urge to watch one of his shows. It makes Shawn want things that scare him, yet his fascination forces him to confront his attraction.

Keen to explore his bicurious side, Shawn suggests they do a show together. Jude agrees, and things get complicated—and kinky—fast. But Jude isn’t looking to get involved with someone so deep in the closet. If Shawn’s going to get what he wants, he needs to find the courage to stop hiding from himself and be honest about who he is.

Length: 52,000 words approx.
Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone.

Sara - 5 Hearts

The journey of sexual discovery is wonderful to read. The journey of sexual discovery out of a character's comfort zone or normality is a joy and the sexual discovery of realizing you are not just bi-curious but bi-sexual and want your roommates D is nothing short of pure erotic pleasure. Oh yeah. This was hot. Dirty, fuckhot, sensual and way emotional. Just how I like ‘em!

Told in Dual POV’s, we meet Shawn as he has recently broken up with his girlfriend Beth after their relationship went south. The two tried everything to save it including spicing it up in the bedroom but what Beth wanted confused Shawn and the two decided to end it and go their separate ways.

Shawn lives in a house full of roommates, mostly folks we have met in previous books including Jude who is gay and Shawn has a strong reaction to his roommates. After a night of feeling sorry for himself and getting wasted, Shawn says some awful homophobic things and spends the next day making it up to his housemates. When he goes to return a hoodie to Jude in his room, he opens the unlocked door while unlocking whole new side of Jude and of Shawn he tried denying existing but decides to explore. Even if the exploration is only on his laptop, in his locked room watching Jude get off for money.

It was amazing what an effective barrier denial could be.

Jude, he has a cam show to make money. He’s okay with selling himself this way and we know his liberal morals and values are passed down through his mom and why. But Jude, he does this cam show and does it well but when he is interrupted by Shawn during a show, things change. Jude already has a crush on his straight roommate and has no idea that Shawn went down to his room and decided to watch after the interruption. Oh the things Jude says about Shawn while he’s stroking his cock… sigh. Shawn has an insight to Jude in a way and gets to hear all that Shawn says. Again, sigh.

When Shawn does a bit of online exploration and decides if he is going to try this dude on dude action out it should be with someone like Jude, someone he knows and has come to think of as a friend and do it well, on camera. LORD! This book is so mother effing sexy I can’t stand it. I’ve read a few books where you have the straight dude doing things on camera for the first time but this was MY first time that felt a connection and true emotion through Shawn’s first experience with a guy. From the first time on camera to the moments of building a true friendship, I was falling hard for Shawn and Jude. I loved their camera time, their gym time, their game time and just all the times they are together. But my favorite was so sexy, so emotional and so just UNF that I can’t even put real words together to describe it.

This was all about the journey. Jude was in charge and that knowledge made him feel safe.

Yeah, this book was sexy AF but it had the elements needed – for me – when a character is exploring sexuality. This isn’t porn without plot, this is plot with porn. Literally. I loved that we got both POV’s to know where the boys were coming from and what their intentions were. The growth of both Jude and Shawn with their relationship was a pure pleasure to read and even the bits of angst wondering when true feelings would be revealed and how was so good. The title though… ugh. I love it when titles actually make sense with the book.

I won’t go into much more about what happens because it’s too good to spoil and man when the moments come (pun intended) and when they do they are worth the wait. That end is SO worth the wait and good lord was it swoony and I agree with the purple-haired girl.

This is a great addition to the Housemates series (and man what a magical house it is) and Northcote is amazing at writing sexual experiment and journey. He’s captured the vulnerability of wanting something new while trusting someone with the knowledge and your wellbeing. Jude and Shawn were made for one another and I am so damn glad that door was opened, in every way possible.

Adam - 2 Hearts

When Shawn walks in on his roommate during a sexy webcam session, it ignites feelings in Shawn that he’s never looked at too closely. When he can’t get Jude out his mind, Shawn proposes that the explore the spark between them on Jude’s cam show. Jude’s more than happy to indulge Shawn. But it doesn’t take long for the lines to start blurring.

Shawn hasn’t been particularly popular in the previous books. He’s the jock roommate who’s given the other couples grief at times. Turns out that he was hiding something underneath the bouts of homophobia - Shawn’s sexually submissive and likes dick just as much as boobs.

I thought Shawn’s discovery of his sexuality was realistic. He slowly comes to terms with what he feels for Jude, and why he had acted out in the past. Plus, he makes appropriate amends for his past behaviour.

Jude is Shawn’s complete opposite. He’s outgoing and confident, and very in touch with his sexuality and desires. Plus, he’s got a dominant streak.

As expected, Jude and Shawn burned up my tablet screen. The two brought the heat from their first cautious jerk-off scene on webcam. There’s a delicious sprinkling of kinks - exhibitionism, voyeurism, bondage, and some light D/s.

Shawn and Jude have an undeniable sexual chemistry. But what I didn’t get a sense of was their emotional connection. What I most like about this series is that while it leans strongly to the steamy side, the books still provide well-developed romances. That wasn’t the case here.

There’s little relationship development. I didn’t get why Jude and Shawn fell for each other beyond the hot sex. The two didn’t really strike up a friendship or have common ground.

Also, the drama at the end was off-putting. I could understand why Jude wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with a closeted man, but the urgency of it didn’t make sense to me. If I’m getting the timeline right, only a couple of weeks pass between the first cam show and Jude putting his foot down. That’s a pretty short time for Shawn to finally come to terms with his bisexuality, begin exploring it, and take the huge step of coming out to everyone in his life.

In the end, I wasn’t convinced that Shawn was really ready to come out as opposed to him feeling pressured to do it. There’s a HFN, but Shawn and Jude definitely have a long way to go.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. It’s a very hot read, but I didn’t really buy Jude and Shawn as a couple.

Chelsea - 5 Hearts

I’m not going to be able to add anything different or unique to the other reviews out there for this book, so this’ll be short and sweet…. oh, and a lot sexy. This was smokin hot!

“Or are you fucking yourself with your fingers or a dildo and wishing it was my cock you were sitting on? Your arse feels so good, so tight. You’re gonna make me come….”
Shawn’s brain imploded. That image made fireworks go off in his head and his balls. He pressed two fingers against his hole, gasping as his whole body tensed and released.

The story was full of interesting characters that were equally fun and frustrating!

But the idea of telling all his friends and his family that he was in a relationship with a man seemed impossible. He was torn, his heart pulling him in one direction while his fear pulled him in another.

There were some subtle kinks which I adored, exibitionism, voyurism, bondage and dominant/submissive roles. yum yum yum.

Fingers dipped into his crack and Shawn shivered, legs going weak. He felt needy, desperate. He wanted to bend over the desk and spread himself open, beg for Jude to touch him more.

I love this whole series and even though this wasn’t my favourite so far, I’m giving it 5 hearts as a reflection of how much I adore all these books.

I highly recommend this whole series to everyone. There's a lot of sex, a lot of friendships and a lot of sneaky, surprise emotions.

Lorix - 4 Hearts

I have really enjoyed this series of books by Jay Northcote, he knows how to write sexy characters, that's for sure. More than that though, Northcote writes characters I find very relatable, and that adds to my enjoyment of his writing. Maybe it's because they are British so instantly I feel at home but that aside I feel the characters are always well rounded and have their own tale to tell.

This is possibly the steamiest book in the series and it appealed to my (theoretic) voyeuristic side. Cam shows from flatmate as you're finally admitting your bi-side? Yes please! There is no denying the sex in this story is hot; the sexual coinnection between Shawn and Jude is immediately apparent and, as someone who can take or leave sex in a story, it was much appreciated in this book. I did feel the emotional connection in this story wasn't quite as strong as some of the other couples from this series and quite often I can skim books with more sex less emotion. NO skimming here though because Northcote is a great writer. I really would recommend this series; it's fun, sweet, sexy and a great read.



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Review: The Unlikely Prospect (States of Love) by Lex Chase

In Prospect Harbor, Maine, lobsterman Harper Cook has always loved the sea. He and his two brothers work the harbor waters, in a fishing village of one thousand where everybody knows everybody else’s business and nobody wants to be different.

When it’s time for the annual Men of Maine pinup calendar, Harper’s brothers eagerly volunteer him. Harper isn’t thrilled to bare it all to raise money for an elementary school playground—until he meets out-and-proud Los Angeles out-a-statah Sean Blackburn: the highly available first-grade teacher with Hollywood heartthrob looks.

Harper has no desire to ever stand out from the crowd, but Sean persists and earns Harper’s friendship. Through Sean, Harper opens up to new possibilities. Things get steamy, but Harper still protects his heart. Though the right pressure in the right place might crack even a loner lobsterman out of his shell.


States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

Like shedding lobsters, it was time for Harper Cook to come out of his shell.

Harper Cook is a simple man, he lives in a small simple Maine town working on his family’s boat as a lobsterman. Harper is a man who is loyal to his family and when his brother Joe signs him up for the Men of Maine Calendar to raise money for a new playground at his niece's school, Harper agrees. When his brother tells him that he’ll have to go see the new 1st grade teacher who is putting the calendar together and I who is “like” Harper, he gets frustrated. When Harper learns that he’ll be Mr. December in the calendar and that he’ll be sporting his birthday suit… well Harper doesn’t back down.

I adored Harper. He’s a good man but socially awkward in the most endearing way. I loved being in his head as he accepted yet wrestled with his sexuality. From his dreams of love at first sight to his “high school hormones” and vast amounts of conditioner he goes through, Harper is a 40 year old man who has never explored his sexuality… with another man. BUT when he meets Sean Blackburn, the 1st grade teacher and wrangler of the Men of Maine calendar, Harper decides to open up and see where things go.

Harper Cook never had a damned thing to be embarrassed about. As far as anyone knew, anyway. His mumma—God bless her resting soul—she’d taken his quiet ways as dignity instead of awkward shyness. He’d open up when it was time.

Sean was a fantastic character. He’s so patient and accepting with Harper that you can’t help but fall for him and fall fast. Their trip out on the boat was so much fun. From Sean posting pics of Harper to what happens before they get rescued, I was on board and ready for more. Sean, he sees Harper and gets not only his awkwardness but that Harper is a virgin and needs a few lessons… yep, lessons.

“You’re fascinating,” Sean said, and Harper met his gaze in confusion. “Don’t think I don’t see it.”

Harper's brothers really are amazing. I loved how Joe gave him the push by saying Harper would do the calendar and basically set up his brother with Sean. The scene after the rather detailed lobster cracking (a bit that I skimmed because my stomach and heart couldn’t take it) when Danny and Joe show up and how they instantly included Sean in the ribbing warmed my heart. They are always in the corner of their brother and only want the best for him.

Yeah, this was sweet story and also, sexy as hell! *whistles* What Sean and Harper get up to; what Sean does, what he makes Harper ask for and what Harper needs was nothing short of sexy. Sean has a dirty mouth and even Harper has a few moments. But again, while it was really sexy there was so much intimacy and emotion that felt so true for the romance.

This book is a sort of sexual coming of age with a 40 year old man and it’s wonderful. Not only the exploration of Harper and his sexuality but the character exploration of Harper as a man with a creative mind. Goodness, I am rambling.

I will just say, I have the biggest, cheesiest and sappiest look/grin on my face from that end. What a wonderful and romantic way to end a story about two men with such character finding their way to one another. Just… perfect. Le sigh.

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