Review: Three Under the Christmas Tree by Silvia Violet

Ace and Gavin haven't had a threesome in far too long. When Ace meets the perfect guy to join them, he can't think of a better way to kick off the holiday season.

Jonathan is charmed by the sexy couple, and he quickly realizes that what started as a fling has the potential to be a whole lot more.

Gavin feels their connection just as strongly, but even after weeks of the three of them hanging out, he's afraid to suggest they turn their friends-with-benefits arrangement into a serious relationship.

The joy and shared experiences of the season have a way of making magic happen, if only all three men could find the courage to ask for what they want.

This ended up being a good solid story with some nice kinky sex to break up the monotony of Christmas stories. However, I've definitely read this story before. You would have to.

Exhibit A- The happy loving couple in an open relationship are looking for a third, they stumble upon the perfect guy and they all fall in love. But oh no the third guy isn't sure if he's welcome into this happy loving relationship and (yep, you guessed it) no one has an adult conversation.

So that brings me to the biggest problem in this story. The misunderstanding. Jonathan (the third) hears a small portion of a very insinuating conversation, doesn't stick around to hear the end of the conversation, and storms off in a huff of broken heart without a word.

Even though 'the misunderstanding’ doesn't irk me like it does some people, I still find it a bit… standard, like the go to for end-of-book drama. So while this didn't make me hate the book, it just made me feel.. indifferent towards it.

The light in the dark was the sex. There was probably a bit too much dialogue for my taste but the power exchanges and rough fucking were a dream after reading so many sweet Christmas stories.

I probably won't read this again, simply because I've read this story before… but better versions of it. However it really was a welcome change to all the cutesy Christmas stories and I'm glad I read it.

A review copy was provided.

Review: The Other Five Percent by Quinn Anderson

Logan Vanderveer has a joke he’s been telling since college: he’s ninety-five percent straight. He did some experimenting in school, but none of the men he fooled around with inspired him to abandon “the plan”: meet a nice girl, get married, and settle down, just like his parents always said.

None of them except Ellis Floyd, who aroused desires and feelings that scared Logan. So much so that he abandoned their burgeoning relationship just as it might have become something. But four years later, Ellis is back, and Logan finds himself questioning his sexuality in a big way.

Ellis doesn’t fit into Logan’s plan. He’s happy being a starving artist, whereas Logan has sold his soul to corporate America. Ellis is ripped jeans, and Logan is tailored suits. And, most notably, Ellis is out. But seeing him again is dredging up memories—like how it feels to kiss Ellis, and that time they almost went all the way. With chemistry like theirs, Logan isn’t sure he can—or should—keep ignoring the other five percent.

Logan and Ellis have history only Logan can't remember all the details. One day at the local Starbucks he hears him and has a visceral reaction then tries to flee. Ellis is having none of that instead offering up a coffee let's get together and catch up date.

As the story unfolds it becomes clear that Logan and Ellis' versions of their shared history are very dissimilar. The human psyche is a strange thing and Anderson illustrated well how people have a tendency to bend the truth where unpleasant memories or cognitive dissonance are concerned. Nevertheless, as much of a flibbertigibbet as Logan is I still found him charming and earnest.

He tells this story and his vision of himself is heterosexual with 2.5 kids, white picket fence, a wife and a dog but Ellis is that 5% that's not completely straight and that scares Logan. Anderson did a great job with this internal struggle, of redefining one's self-image as queer and all that that encompasses.

These characters are well constructed with Ellis being a free-spirited hipster who lives life on his terms, eschewing the corporate path and Logan embracing it along with his beloved briefcase and 9-5 job with benefits. They seem to compliment each other well despite all their differences and they have chemistry. I think I would've appreciated Ellis' perspective though.

What I thought could've been better were the transitions-Logan's transition from wanting to avoid Ellis at all costs to seeking him out, his acceptance of his bisexuality and then pursuing Ellis all of which would've benefited from more exposition and page time; it seemed rushed and I hate to say easy but there's not a lot of angst or really working things out. However it's a sweet romance that reeled me in and I invested in them and their coupltry.

The secondary characters are few but Logan's sisters were a riot and I liked how supportive they were and even helped Logan see what was right in front of his face.

If you're looking for a second chance romance with a sweet HEA give this a try.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley.

See The Other Five Percent blog tour stop HERE

Review: Hat Trick by Meg Harding

Nathan Barres has always loved hockey before anything else. When a one night stand with Felix Moore gives him emotions, he flees the scene. He's not expecting to see Felix ever again. So when an injury knocks him out of the game for several weeks, he's less than pleased to see the Winnipeg Wolves newest trainer is none other than Felix.

Almost two years later, and the feelings are still there. Nathan does his best to shove them to the back burner and ignore the temptation Felix presents. That is, until Felix makes him an offer that's just a little too tempting--with amazing results. He's a hockey player after all, and they're nothing if not superstitious. If Felix is his good luck charm, who is he to resist?

This is my third book by this author in the last month or so and I think I'm almost ready to ask her to go steady on this book writing/book reading thing we got going. I don't want to jump the gun or anything but I think things are going well.

Annnyyyyywaaayyy.

This is another contemporary romance involving hockey players. Nathan is the captain of the Winnipeg Wolves. He's out to his teammates but not the media, so he keeps his hookups on the DL. He meets Felix in a bar after a road game win and sparks fly. Then he leaves without so much as a goodbye while Felix is still comatose from the brain melting sex.

Fast forward 1 year and 7 months and guess who just got hired as the new trainer for the Winnipeg Wolves?

Awkward. Well, Nathan thinks it is. Felix seems unfazed. And so it begins...

These two are definitely dudes being dudes. They suck at communication. They make assumptions about one another that aren't true. They're both jealous as all get out if either of them even looks at another guy. And they're completely and totally oblivious to each other's behaviors. 

I found this to be sort of endearing and kept laughing at how dumb they were. I mean, for all intents and purposes they are dating exclusively and having sex regularly, but neither of them realize it. They have lunch every day. They exercise together. They know what flavor cupcakes the other likes and sandwiches. They hang out and play video games alone and with the other guys. Felix helps him pick out a Christmas present for Ivan, the Russian with a "close" relationship to his cat.

I mean... YOU'RE TOTALLY TOGETHER, DIMWITS!!!!!!!!!!!

We only get Nathan's perspective and his cluelessness is both trying and entertaining. He keeps trying to convince himself they can be friends and that the lucky sex Felix offers will simply help him get over Felix. 

Maybe he can fuck the crush out.

Has that ever worked out for anyone ever? Show of hands?

Eventually they are forced by the team to use their words which was hilarious. Harding really knows how to write team dynamics which is my favorite part of a sports themed book. Ivan with his broken English and his cat were weird and cute. And I have a suspicion that Renner might be bi, so I'm wondering if this will turn into a series. I would not be mad about that.

I'm impressed with the range of this author. Even though everything I've read by her has been contemporary each of her characters have been unique and each plot varied. That's laudable. 

I'd recommend to readers and appreciate stupid boys being stupid. And cute. Or hockey fans.

As a side note, I don't normally talk about covers but this cover is...not good. I'm not sure who those guys are but they are not Nathan and Felix.

A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

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