Tag Team Review: A Soldier's Wish (The Christmas Angel #5) by N.R. Walker

The year is 1969…

Gary Fairchild is proud to be a hippie college student, and he protests the Vietnam War because he believes in love and peace. To him, it isn’t just a counterculture movement—it’s a way of life. When tickets to the Aquarium Exposition—3 Days of Peace & Music, or Woodstock, as it was better known, go on sale, there’s no way he isn’t going.

Richard Ronsman is a sheltered farm boy who lives in the shadow of his overbearing father. He’s hidden his darkest secret to earn his father’s love, but nothing is ever good enough—not even volunteering for the Vietnam War. And with just a few days left before he’s deployed, a striking hippie invites him to join them at a music festival.

Three days of music, drugs, rain, mud, and love forged a bond between these two very different men that would shape the rest of their lives. They share dreams and fears, and when Richard is shipped off to war, they share letters and love. For Richard’s first Christmas home, he is gifted a special angel ornament that just might make a soldier’s wish come true.

Average

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 3.5 Hearts

I’m a huge fan of NR Walker, but this wasn’t my favorite. Don’t fret though, this was still extremely well written and of course, very romantic and smexy!

Though I’ve become a bigger fan of historicals this year, apparently I’m fickle and the time period just didn’t capture me as much. Throw in the horrors of war, terribly awful bigoted parents, and the enjoyment factor for me was decreased.

Unlike Christmas Angel and Summerfield’s Angel, the magical whimsy of said angel has diminished steadily in this series, and I honestly miss the fantastical theme of it all. Don’t listen to me though, and please go read any of the glowing reviews out there singing this book’s praises because Walker really is a fantastic writer. I’m the odd man out here, defective in my lack of Christmas cheer for this story.

Chelsea - 4 Hearts

This was the most fluffy lovey-dovey story of the series so far, which is very appropriate being set in the era of sex, drugs and acoustic guitars.

This story is set within a few years during the Vietnam war and despite its heavy themes the love story is as sweet as dancing naked in the rain.

Gary and Richard meet 3 days before Richard is due to fly out to Vietnam, they're connection is instant and they both continue to write to each other while Richard is away. During these letters they fall in love and make promises of a future together when the war is over.

Richard is a broken man, before and after the war. He's lived his whole life in denial about his sexuality due to living with conservative homophobic parents, then the war comes and breaks him even more but despite all of this he is so positive. It might be his naive look on life or his hope for a better world, but he always shines when Gary is around and doesn't hesitate to look at the positive side in every situation.

Gary certainly helps with all this positivity, he is all hippie; happy, relaxed but strong and determined to stand by Richard through everything.

This story was definitely steamer than its predecessors in the series which was great to read. The angel was also completely irrelevant and felt like an afterthought, but that didn't really matter as the angel is hardly the reason I'm reading this series.

Super sweet story with a nice side of steam! Definitely recommend it!

Review: Tit for Tat by J.S. Harker

Cold has never been so hot.

College sophomore Derek is busy working over his holiday break—but his shifts at the toy store are no hardship if they mean more opportunity to dream about the sexy new guy working as an elf in Santa’s Workshop. When his mother gifts him a bag of cookies, Derek regifts them to Flynn as an excuse to get to know him. Flynn has presents to offer as well, and soon they’re dating, with Derek finding out his comfort zone is bigger than he imagined.

But Flynn is hiding a secret—he’s really a winter fairy whose magic is bound to the season. He can’t stay in the mortal realm, and Derek doesn’t want to lose contact with his family. Can they find a way to hold on to each other when the snow and sugar plums melt away?

A wintery DSP Beyond story that was fluffy and cute!

Insecure, forever nice guy Derek, doesn't really have a confident bone in his body. Derek’s trying to move on from a bad break up and so terribly wants to approach the hot elf working across the mall at Santa’s Corner, but he knows he just doesn’t have the charm nor the looks to catch such a catch! However, Flynn isn’t your average guy. He’s actually a fairy secretly visiting the fascinating dangerous human world, and he sees something special in the shy Derek.

This was whimsical and sweet as these two get to know each other. Flynn is definitely a fish out of water, completely naive about humans but equally enchanted and wary. He’s literal to a fault which makes him quite an endearing character as he wins the heart of Derek and falls in love at the same time. Thing is, it’s not so easy for fairies to remain on this side of the veil indefinitely, and Flynn just might lose his magic should he choose to stay.

This definitely had strong NA vibes, featured a virgin, and contained some good dashes of newbie smexy thrown in. Overall, easy enjoyable reading as it wrought out a seemingly impossible to achieve happy ending which of course, made me happy in turn!

ARCs were provided by the publisher in exchange for honest reviews.

Audiobook Review: Wake Me Up Inside (Mates #1) by Cardeno C.

Zev Hassick is surprised and confused when he finds himself attracted to his best friend. His very human, very male best friend. Zev is the son of the pack Alpha, regarded as the strongest wolf in generations, born to lead. And everyone knows a male shifter has to mate with a female of his own kind to keep his humanity. So shifters can't be gay, right?

Jonah Marvel wants a relationship with Zev, his best friend, the man he has loved since childhood. It wasn’t easy to maintain that relationship over years spent living apart while Jonah studied to become a doctor. And then things grow more difficult when Jonah becomes his own patient. Before he can make a life with Zev, he has to understand his past and cure the unexplained ailments that plague him.

Zev and Jonah know they’re destined for each other, but they’re facing traditions ingrained over generations and long-buried secrets that may threaten any future together.

Narrator: Charlie David
Listening Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

I’m kinda odd. I don’t re-read books anymore because I like to keep the first feeling I had with a book. But with audio, it’s different. I love listening to a book I’ve already read to see how different the story looks while being told to me. With someone bringing the characters, the setting and the romance to me in a new way that I see it with new eyes… or rather new ears? You get what I mean, right?

Anyway.

I adored Zev and Jonah when I first read their book. Their story is endearing and fluffy and sexy and romantic and so freaking fracking angsty with the separation but I loved it.

And then…
Then Charlie David took over and told me the same story with so much feeling that I was either swooning, squirming or screaming in frustration and delight waiting for Zev and Jonah to get their HEA.

Let me say, Charlie David as a narrator does not just read the story, he becomes it and by becoming it he pulls you in on a deeper level than you ever expected. I felt everything with Zev and Jonah. I felt the pull of them wanting to be together but not understanding the why of it yet. I felt the affection Jonah had for the wolf he calls “Pup” and how he always felt safe with the wild creature. I felt the horrible separation and what it did to both of them and I felt. I felt and I felt some more and then when I didn’t think I could feel anything more, Charlie David panted in my ear.

I need to take a moment for station identification… when you read a book and it says the character panted, you know what panting means and what it sounds like. Some narrators just read that “he panted” but Charlie David took it a step farther and he panted. It sounds so simple but that action, that really becoming the character took this story to a whole new level and took my blush a few shades darker.

Yup. I’ll say it. The panting was hot!

I don’t know what else to say other than fantastic story. Fantastic narration. Fantastic paring of Jonah and Zev.

This was…

Yup.

Fantastic!

Group Review: The Solstice Prince (Realms of Love #1) by S.J. Himes

Rescued from slavers, healer novice Jaime Buchanan finds himself alone and free in Pyrderi, a kingdom of magic, mythical creatures, and a culture as open and kind as his homeland was cruel and close-minded.

Despite his rescue, Jaime is not left without scars, both mental and physical. Traumatized by his experience and hiding his gift, Jaime struggles to earn his place in the kitchens of Angharad Palace, the heart of Taliesin City. His former life as a student of the healing arts leaves him at a disadvantage in the kitchens, and his damaged state is becoming more apparent by the day.

One day, when necessity and fate intervene, Jaime meets someone unexpected—Prince Maxim, youngest son of the Pyrderian king, a sword master and a devastatingly kind man. Unaccustomed to powerful people with compassion and heart, Jaime flees. A cascade of events reveals Jaime’s hidden talents of healing, and he finds himself not in chains, but at the beginning of a new life.

This swift change of fortune opens Jaime up to new possibilities, including a smitten prince who cautiously courts Jaime, easing him away from his fears and reminding him that compassion and love can make him strong. The winter solstice is quickly approaching, and Prince Maxim shows Jaime the enjoyment and excitement to be found in a land that embraces the ice and cold, and the mysteries of all things magical. He learns to see the man under the royal mantle, and Maxim is more than even Jaime suspected.


The winter solstice is nigh when tragedy strikes, and Jaime learns that his past of grief and sorrow can be a pillar of strength for his solstice prince. If there is one thing that Jaime believes above all else, it is in the healing power of love.

Group average!

Lost in a Book - 4 Hearts

*takes sip*

Ahhh, yes. This book went down like hot chocolate on a cold winter day with tons of marshmallowly fluffy goodness. I’m all warm and fuzzy thinking about the absolute sweetness that was The Solstice Prince.

I’ll provide full disclosure and admit that I chose to read this because the cover reminded me of a M/M Harry Potter. Not. Even. Lying. *shrug* I’m weak when it comes to that series. While it wasn’t similar to HP, it held its own special place in my heart with its loving kingdom, drama free plot, gifted healer, and a fierce but kind prince.

We are introduced to a broken down Jaime who had been taken from his home after the death of his father, sold into slavery to pay debt, and rescued by Pyrderi guards and brought to the palace. He doesn’t know where he is or the rules of the land so he keeps his head down and works the kitchens. Jaime’s very skittish from abuse and hides that he’s a healer until he heals the Captain of the Guard. This revelation leads to a whirlwind life change where he becomes properly acquainted with the dashing Prince Maxim.

Prince Maxim is the youngest of his siblings and absolutely smitten with the man he saw rescued from the slave ship. He makes his intentions known towards Jaime quickly and begins to court the shy healer. Prince Maxim is large, a hunter, and the best swordsman in all the land. But, he approaches Jaime like he would a skittish animal until he can coax him out of hiding. He shows Jaime that he is worthy, kind, gifted, and desirable. *swoon*

Guys!!! This book is drama free. It’s sugary sweet and Prince Maxim with Jaime is absolutely adorable. There aren’t any relational issues so the men are able to organically grow together in friendship and affections without the lack of communication blah blah blah hurdles. Although this book has a lighthearted fluffy feel, it’s not without minor angst and strong feels. Jaime’s prior circumstances and Prince Maxim’s impending heartbreak provide obstacles and instead of acting as a deterrent, it brings the men together. The palace has clouds of sorrow hanging over it and Jaime provides rays of sunlight to all.

I loved the Pyrderi people and its royalty. It’s an accepting land that shows love instead of scorn. The inhabitants of the castle from the King to servants were friendly, loving, and understanding of a man that was utterly broken and needed a place to feel safe and find himself again. They all celebrated the young Prince and his love to the blushing Jaime.

The Solstice Prince is a feel good HEA read that provided the warmth I was looking for. Could there have been more relationship development on page? Yep, but I just didn’t care. Sweet story. Lovable secondary characters. Swoontastic MCs. Fabulous cover. Definitely recommended.

R *A Reader Obsessed* - 4 Hearts

SJ Himes is quickly becoming a favorite of mine, and I really can’t find much fault at all with her newest release. Markedly different from her Beacon Hills Sorcerer series, this was simply a feel good love story blending historical, magical, and fantasy elements that will surely pique many a reader’s interest.

Kind Jamie, is rescued from a cruel fate, and though he’s scared and damaged, he finds some measure of comfort in the place he’s now in, a country that is most disbelieving for its benevolence and acceptance regarding all things. Making that transition easier is Prince Maxim who takes an interest in Jamie, and soon learns to his delight that there’s more than meets the eye to the timid young man. What unfolds is a seriously sweet slow burn as Jamie and his prince get to know each other, ultimately, falling easily in love.

Low on the angst with great hurt comfort tones that goes both ways, this is surely an unbelievably perfect kingdom Jamie finds himself thriving in.. Himes creates a world with many facets since not all realms are as open minded as Pyrderi. Luckily, this is just the beginning, and I for one will not be saying no to more stories from this interesting fictional world!

Jenni Lea - 4 Hearts

This was such a sweet, sweet story.  A deviation from her usual paranormal action/adventure, SJ Himes delivers a gentle, quiet tale of a remarkable boy and the prince who loved him.

To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to like this.  It was so far removed from what I've come to expect from this author that I felt a bit off-kilter when I started reading.  But, as I got further into the story, I found myself smiling more and more.  I should have known that I needn't have worried; I have yet to read a story by Himes that I haven't loved.  The same great writing was there and the world-building was exemplary (as usual); it was just toned down a bit.  OK, a lot.  There was virtually no angst in this book.

Jaime was adorable AF and Maxim, a complete charmer.  All of the secondary characters were fully-fleshed and played their respective roles well.  I could have gone for a tad bit of angst, but for what it was, I enjoyed it immensely.

Recommended for readers who are looking for a light, sweet, no-angst story reminiscent of a fairy tale to pass a rainy Saturday afternoon or to cleanse the palate after a heavy read.

Review copies were provided.

Group Review: How to Save a Life (Howl at the Moon #4) by Eli Easton

Rav Miller looked into the terrified, intelligent eyes of the chocolate Labrador on death row, and knew he’d do anything to save him. When the dog, Sammy, escapes and heads to Mad Creek, Rav follows. Mad Creek. The town had become legendary in Rav’s mind after he’d met that bizarre group last year. Rav dismissed his crazy suspicions back then, but when he arrives in Mad Creek, he knows it’s true. Dog shifters exist, and apparently they all live in the California mountains. It’s enough to blow a bad boy’s mind.

Sammy has something in common with Rav—neither one of them trusts people. After Sammy’s abuse as a dog, he particularly dislikes tough-looking men like Rav. But when Sammy gets a chance to work with rescued dogs at the new Mad Creek shelter, his deep compulsion to help others overcomes his fear. Rav and Sammy bond over saving strays. If they can each find the courage to let someone else in, they might find their way to love.

Sheriff Lance Beaufort doesn’t like humans moving into Mad Creek, especially not the tattooed and defiant Rav. When Rav starts a rescue shelter, the town thinks he’s wonderful! But Lance isn’t fooled. He doesn’t buy Rav’s innocent act for one second. How much does Rav know about the quickened? What is his game? And why did he have to show up now, when Lance and the other town leaders are overwhelmed by all the new quickened pouring in?

Rav knows how to save a life. But can he save an entire town? Can he rescue Mad Creek?

3.91 average!

Lost in a Book - 3.5 Hearts

Mad Creek. How I love thee. After googling Mad Creek, California and finding out it’s just a stream, my plans for moving have been placed on hold until a real shifter town opens. *sigh* I love this series and have loved each and every book…until this one. We met Rav in book three and I was excited to find out that the broody, growly, tattooed dog shelter owner was going to get a starring role in this book.

In How to Save a Life, we are introduced to Sammy, a sweet chocolate lab. Sammy got the spark when his original owner passed away. He moved to a new home that was full of abuse and unfortunately shaped the way he interacted with men. He was terrified of them. Sammy ended up at the pound and met Rex, another quickened who told him about Mad Creek. When Rav rescued him from the pound, Sammy cowered and waited for his opportunity to get to Mad Creek. Using his advanced Quickened brain, he was able to escape from the shelter and start the journey to a town where dogs were like him.

Rav tracked Sammy with his GPS microchip to Mad Creek and immediately realized that either he was crazy or dog shifters were a real thing. Looking into the golden eyes of Sammy the person, he came to terms with shifters pretty quick and wanted to know more. So of course, Rav moves to Mad Creek.

This book follows the transformation of sweet, terrified, and skittish Sammy as he gets to know Rav in a different capacity. Rav gets to know Sammy and the two have quite the journey. Being newly quickened, Sammy is SO innocent.

That’s how I pictured him throughout much of the book. He hasn’t had any life experience and is still suffering from traumatic events and the abuse that followed. Rav does a great job of pulling him out of his head and showing him that not all men are like “Bad Man.”

“The more Sammy watched Rav with the dogs, the more new feelings stirred inside him. He wanted to play with Rav too. No, that wasn't right. He wanted to be touched. He wanted to sit in Rav's lap and feel his strength, feel safe. He wanted to be soothed by those hands. He craved it very much! He felt jealous of the dogs.”

Sammy and Rav stayed platonic for a lot of the book. Their touches and kisses didn’t hold heat, serving mostly as comfort. While their growth individually and together was realistic considering their past, this book had a much different feel than the previous ones. It was hard coming to terms with their relationship even being a possibility for a lot of the book due to Sammy’s childlike thoughts, actions, and emotions. An intimate “mate” relationship seemed icky… until it didn't.

There was a turning point in the book which I am thankful for. Prior to this turning point, anything outside of their platonic comforting touches would have been creeper status to me. But, we were able to gradually see the transition from innocent, childlike Sammy to sweet, brave, I-want-to-have-butt-sex, Sammy. *whew* When they finally took the intimate steps in their relationship, I was no longer in the omg-wtf mind frame and was able to appreciate how far they had come.

“It was almost sad to see the shy, awkward Sammy ebb away. Or it would have been, if the new, more confident Sammy were not so damned appealing. Rav loved seeing Sammy happy.”

One other teeny tiny little nit picky thing that caused a few eye rolls was when broody, growly, and grown-ass-man Rav’s inner frat boy and part teenage girl came out. Nothing wrong with frat boys or growly tattooed men. I like them both. Separately and possibly even as part of a trio. What was annoying was the “bruh” and “bae” that kept on coming. It didn’t fit Rav’s personality and I was pulled out of the story each time.

This book was a decent addition to the series. Milo and his enthusiasm when welcoming Rav still makes me giggle. Definitely my least favorite out of the four but I would recommend it if you're a fan of the series. There is just something about this quirky town that keeps me coming back.

“When a man is a hero, he deserves to be sexed in the ass.” ~Sammy

Adam - 3.25 Hearts

I can’t help but smile when I read a book from the Howl at the Moon series. They’re fun reads that blend sweet romances and an entertaining paranormal setting.

In the series’ latest addition, we’re introduced to Sammy, a newly-quickened Labrador who has been having a tough time since his owner’s death. Sammy stole my heart from the start. He was just so sad and alone. If anyone needed love, it was him.

Sammy spends much of the story slowly learning to be a human, and learning to be brave. He struggles a lot throughout the course of the book, but eventually he finds his place in Mad Creek.

Rav Miller is the other main character. Since his cameo in book #3, Rav has had his suspicions about Mad Creek and the quickened. He ends up in the town because of Sammy, and decides to stay.

Rav and Sammy’s relationship takes a lot of work. While Rav feels an immediate connection to Sammy, Sammy is wary of big men like Rav. But Rav, who’s had his own struggles in life, is willing to take a step back.

Through infinite patience, and a shared desire to rescue dogs, the two slowly build a friendship.

It takes a long time for Sammy and Rav to move on to a romantic relationship. While Rav has feelings for Sammy, Sammy is still getting used to being in a human body. He doesn’t recognize that his feelings for Rav are romantic.

Even so, the two are very cute while they navigate their odd dynamic. Rav is willing to take whatever Sammy gives, and Sammy finds home and happiness in Rav.

When Sammy finally catches up, the two don’t waste any time. They quickly move forward with their relationship, and soon admit to each other how serious they are about it. The two complete each other, and end up a lot happier for it.

As a backdrop to this romance, readers learn more about Mad Creek and the struggling quickened community. One thing that I just didn’t understand in the previous books was where the money for it all came from. Book #4 answers that question.

Rav and Sammy become central to the town’s survival. I thought the solution the author chose was very creative, and believable.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Sammy and Rav’s romance was a bit slow for my liking, but it’s still the sweet and fluffy romance that I’ve come to expect and enjoy from this series.


Chelsea - 5 Hearts

Seriously?!? How am I meant to function reading a book with this level of cuteness!?!?!

Poor sad and sweet Sammy. Oh how I loved him! And there's Rav.

*Psst... the man, not the dog*

Who is sexy as hell and possibly a tad too good to be true, but then again so is this entire town.

The first chapter of this book almost broke me, but the story after that was surprisingly light and super fluffy. Lance was the only character close to an antagonist and well…. I love Lance.

I love this whole series, I don't think I can pick a favourite but this one had a level of sweetness we only really found with Milo in the previous book. Yes Sammy is super innocent, but not really any less innocent than Roman was. Roman was just manlier so we didn't notice it at much.

I know I've prattled on about previous books a bit but all these characters are so memorable I can't help but connect all their stories together. Rav and Sammy are an essential and beautiful addition to this series!

I am praying that this isn't the end of the series!! If you haven't read this series and don't mind some fluff, DO IT! Start from the beginning, it's well worth it!!

A copy provided for an honest review.

Review: Grounded by Aidan Wayne

Between raising his daughter Camille, his work as a full-time pastry chef, and his hobby of capoeira, Baz’s life is pretty full. He may be a little lonely, but he’s too busy to think about it all that much.

When his cousin Alaina introduces him to Terry, another capoeira student, Baz is instantly drawn to him. Though quiet and withdrawn, Terry ends up being a fun, interesting person who Baz can’t help but fall for. And when Baz does things, he doesn’t do them halfway.

Terry is a successful voice actor and a talented martial artist. But the fact that he’s shy, on top of being a trans man, has kept him from really dating. He likes Baz, he does—he just doesn’t want to mess up their friendship by failing at romance. Still, Baz is nothing if not stubborn, and Terry is willing to give things a try.

This story is pretty fluffy. I usually prefer a bit more depth with my stories but I didn’t mind this one as something light and short to fill up a few hours.

Baz is a really great character, and I enjoyed reading about him and his daughter, Camille. Their interactions were adorable, and I felt the author captured the nurturing side of Baz really well. He put himself out there with 100% surety that even if things didn’t go his way, he at least gave it his all. He handled his daughter with patience and care, and it was nice to read this type of father/daughter relationship instead of the strained relationship which is the usual trope.

Terry was a bit opaque. I felt like his character development was a bit stunted. I don’t know if this was intentional or if it was because we were always in Baz’s POV but I felt like I needed a bit more from him to feel good about the relationship between them.

I did enjoy the way they both navigated the relationship while trying to take care of how it may impact Camille. The author also managed to capture how children can be irrational and extreme when things change for them. This came across strongly in the story.

This was a fairly short story, 120 pages, but I felt like it captured the relationship between Baz and Terry and gave us enough solid foundation to believe in a HFN.

I enjoyed the author’s writing style and would recommend this as an easy read with a very supportive and easy going main character (Baz). Unfortunately Terry was under-developed and needed a bit more to make me love him as much as Baz.

A review copy was provided by the publisher for an honest opinion

Audiobook Review: Opposites by T.M. Smith

In the year 2081 our planet survived global warming of an apocalyptic scale. When the dust settled and the water receded Dr. Anthony Smith, one of only a few hundred survivors of GWI, started society anew. Having come to the conclusion that injudicious breeding played a huge role in the destruction of Earth as we knew it in the twenty first century, he worked closely with other survivors to isolate the Dionysus gene. This gene has the ability to manipulate human DNA to ensure that all male children be born gay, and all female children be born lesbians. A new society is born.

In the year 2300 Dr. Smith’s descendants are ushering in the twenty fourth century having maintained control of the government that still rules society. Twins Aiya and Aiyan are preparing to meet their matches and take control of House Gaeland, the current ruling House. But not everything is as it seems.

Love is Love.. it knows no gender and doesn’t conform to restrictions and boundaries. Aiyan has found his soul mate in Kaden, the prince of House Devi that he is matched with and eventually marries. But when the person Aiya falls in love with tests the boundaries put in place after GWI, all hell breaks loose. And in the midst of one secret unraveling, another will emerge. There is a growing anomaly that threatens to destroy over two hundred years of progression. This anomaly is known as Opposites.

*WARNING* Opposites is a majorly M/M New Adult novel that contains explicit sexual content and relationships between gay, lesbian and straight couples.

Listening Length: 6 hours and 16 minutes
Narrator: Greg Boudreaux

There is a lot going on in this story, and I felt it difficult to follow the sudden change in point of view between a lot of characters. While a scene played out, it switched to each character pov as the story moved around the scene. Almost like a movie panning to each character and then going inside their mind. It took a few chapters to get used to this type of story telling, and was a bit disconcerting. This follows eight characters during their visit to House Gaeland, so once the names of each character is familiar, it is easier to follow. It is not my preference in point of view in storytelling, but I made the effort to enjoy the story anyway.

This world, as described in the blurb, is a same-sex pairing world. Women and men procreate through contracts, and each family has four parents in two same sex pairings. As this was a character based story, and not a lot of worldbuilding outside of character relationships, there is a thorough culture built around the ideals of gay relationships within this high bred society, and why these relationships are considered the norm. I’m not too clear on whether the couples have to go through heavy screening in order to conceive, or whether the DNA is altered in any way.

The society works on a base level of Eugenics, and gene manipulation, which of course is problematic. Being royalty, there is no mention of how the general world deals with the way this society procreates, and whether money is involved in the process, so it was difficult to gauge how well this world worked in full.

The relationships were swift between a few people, and I found it very fluffy and mushy. Again, not my favourite thing to read/listen to. I like a build up, and while there was a decent amount of tension with the potential straight couple, Aiyan and Kaden seemed to have sex at every opportunity, and I didn’t find their relationship development strong enough.

Opposites - the title of the story is pretty indicative of the direction of main plot point. The couple who are Opposites have to sneak around, fear persecution, and feel abnormal. Generally I enjoyed the story and found it interesting for the role reversal of society. It just wasn’t complete. It’s an interesting perspective, if a bit black and white. I prefer more diversity in my stories as a general rule, and there was no mention of sexuality as a spectrum, but this is only the beginning of the series so this may change as the series progresses.

Greg Boudreaux is a pretty solid narrator, with a very pleasing cadence, and can do some decent accents. His performance in this audiobook is pretty great, but then he is one of my preferred narrators, so clearly I am bias.

While the story is set in a futuristic time period, it has a very medieval feel to it, with the royal Houses. It also felt quite isolated and there was barely any contact with the general population. Some more attention to the wider world details would have made the story richer.

Recommended for those who enjoy stories set in a futuristic setting with an old world feel to it. There is explicit content between MM, FF, and MF couples.

Find on Goodreads!

Review: The Christmas Wager by Jamie Fessenden

2nd Edition

Lord Thomas Pendleton, second son of the Duke of Branmoor, needs to discharge a debt to his friend Andrew Nash. In doing so, he must return to the family estate he fled six years earlier after refusing to marry the woman his father had chosen. To Thomas’s dismay, Branmoor Hall is no longer the joyful home he remembers from his childhood, and his four-year-old niece has no idea what Christmas is.

Determined to bring some seasonal cheer back to the gloomy estate, Thomas must confront his tyrannical father, salvage a brother lost in his own misery, and attempt to fight off his father’s machinations.

As Christmas Day draws near, Thomas and his friend Andrew begin to realize they are more than merely close friends… and those feelings are not only a threat to their social positions, but, in Victorian England, to their lives as well.

First Edition published by Dreamspinner Press, 2010.

After losing a wager, Lord Thomas Pendleton agrees to take his closest friend, Andrew Nash, to his family’s country house for Christmas. Thomas isn’t looking forward to it, given his estrangement from his father. When they reach Branmoor Hall, they find a household devoid of the Christmas cheer that Thomas remembers from his childhood.

Thomas sets out to bring Christmas festivity back to Branmoor with the help of Andrew. As Christmas draws near, Thomas discovers that Andrew has loved him for years, and slowly Thomas realizes that his own feelings for Andrew run much deeper than friendship.

This is the kind of book you’d want to curl up in a blanket to read while it’s snowing outside.

I really enjoyed the setting of Branmoor Hall. The large rambling house, the surrounding countryside, the village and villagers, and the residents and staff of Branmoor all made for a very cozy country Christmas.

Plus, Susan, Thomas’ four-year-old niece who has never had a joyful Christmas, stole my heart. She’s a cute kid, and plays a part in bringing Thomas and Andrew together.

Andrew and Thomas had me grinning from the first page. Their emotional connection was undeniable. It was pretty obvious that there was more than just friendship there, and not just from Andrew’s end. I’m not sure how many friends, not matter how close, help each other undress and take baths.

Thomas’ slow realization that he was gay and in love with Andrew was believable. Thomas grew up in a society where homosexuality was strictly criminalized and taboo, so it didn’t occur to him that what he felt for Andrew could be anything other than friendship.

But once Thomas realizes the truth, the romance was sweet and funny. His attempts to seduce Andrew were hilarious. I’d say the two were already a couple in many ways, and all that changed was adding a sexual relationship to the mix.

The HEA was incredibly sweet, and tied up everything nicely. I liked that the author acknowledged reality of Thomas and Andrew’s situation as gay men in Victorian England, but without becoming despondent.

If you’re looking for a fluffy friends-to-lovers MM historical read with lots of holiday feels, give ‘The Christmas Wager’ a try!

Find on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

Review: Romancing the Wrong Twin by Clare London

How tangled can a romantic web get?

When gruff mountaineer Dominic Hartington-George seeks sponsorship for his latest expedition, his London PA insists on a more media-friendly profile—like dating celebrity supermodel Zeb Z.

Zeb can’t make the date, so he asks his identical twin, Aidan, to stand in for just one evening. Aidan, a struggling playwright, shuns the limelight to the extent people don’t even know Zeb has a sibling, but he reluctantly agrees.

When the deception has to continue beyond the first date, Aidan fights to keep up the pretense. Dominic likes his sassy, intelligent companion, and Aidan starts falling for the forthright explorer. But how long can Aidan’s conscience cope as confusion abounds? Will coming clean as “the other twin” destroy the trust they’ve built?

It’s no secret I am a hopeless romantic. I am in love with love. It’s also no secret that I adore the holy heck out of the Dreamspun Desire series and I am so addicted it could be scary if the stories weren’t so much fun.

This is definitely one of my favorites from the series and that is a tough thing to say. I love the series but when you have The Twin Switch trope then add in one gruff and grumpy bear of a mountaineer I am a goner for the pairing and this story was so much fun.

Dominic is a mountaineer from a family with history dating back the Tudors. Usually a family with that sort of lineage would have money to spend but sadly for Dom, it’s been exhausted and he has a huge trip, the Hartington Hike project, he wants to fund. The trip is one that follows in his late father’s trail, as he was also a mountaineer, and a homage to the expeditions that would take his father from home. It’s a melancholy and yet strong reason for Dom to want to complete this trek of Eiger, but Dom needs money. When his PR company suggests he get a few sponsors and be more out in the public eye aka out and about for the paparazzi, they find the perfect “date” for Dom in the form of model Zeb Z.

Zeb is unfortunately unavailable but he has an identical twin named Aidan who is struggling playwright and director in need of cash flow to get his troupe of actors to a respectable stage. When Zeb calls asks him to take a contract job for him that he cannot be home for, Aidan agrees because he needs the cash but Aidan gets more than he bargained for.

I adored this from the moment we meet both characters. I appreciate that the book has alternate POV’s and that we get each of the in chapter blocks with the start so we have a chance to get to know both of them before they meet and oh when they meet! The reaction of both men was adorable and their impromptu kitchen meal simply set the tone for the story for romance and intimacy.

Yes, I know that Aidan is lying to Dominic about who he is but really only in name and in real life that is so shameful yet in my romance, it’s a great setup for a wonderful story.

I am going to go against my normal and try not to ramble.

I adored the hell out of Dom and love that he bucked the stereotype of the gruff bead a few times. But oh that ONE TIME just about did me in and made me give a Judd Nelson at the end of The Breakfast Club fist pump because it was so sexy and vulnerable and just plain UNF! And UNF again because it’s deserving.

I loved Aidan and how he struggled with wanting to tell Dom but needing to keep the charade of character up for his twin who is off dealing with his own dilemmas while falling for Dom in so many ways. The men were a pure joy to read and fall in love with and just turn into goo over and over again and then feel the angst of it all waiting for the perfect moment of declaration.

Sigh.

Yeah, Romancing the Wrong Twin was the perfect read for a brisk Saturday morning in bed. It made me laugh, cringe, swoon and just really fall head over heels for the story.

For more info on Dreamspinner Press or Goodreads!

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What's the title of the book that features fated alpha/omega mates Cal & Gabriel? (worth 15 pts)

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Review: Bluewater Blues (Bluewater Bay #15) by G.B. Gordon

Jack Daley left his music career behind—along with his domineering father—and is struggling to make a new life for himself and his autistic sister in Bluewater Bay. When a summer storm sweeps a handsome stranger into his general store, Jack is more than ready for a fling. No strings attached, because Jack can’t share the secrets he and his sister are hiding from. Unfortunately, his feelings refuse to stay casual.

Mark Keao is married to his job as a costume designer on Wolf’s Landing. He’s autistic, so he’s used to people not knowing how to interact with him, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be a hermit. Especially when he meets Jack Daley, who dances with brooms, shares his love of the blues, and gets him like no one else. But relationships have proven complicated in the past.

Just when Mark is ready to try anyway, Jack pulls back. But Mark isn’t giving up, and neither is Jack’s sister. And then there’s the music both men love, bringing them together time and again. It will take trust, though, to bring them together for good.

Jack Daley has only one goal - providing a stable life for his autistic sister, Margaret. He has little time for romance. That is until a handsome stranger walks into his store. Mark Keao is a costume designer for Wolf’s Landing. His autism sometimes makes work and daily life difficult, but he doesn’t let it get in his way. When he meets Jack, Mark’s determined to make things work between them.

Mark and Jack start spending time together, growing closer. But it isn’t easy. The two have to find solutions that will make Mark comfortable, and Jack will have to confront the past that stops him from living his life freely. Jack almost buckles, but Mark and Margaret refuse to give up so easily.

I loved being back in Bluewater Bay. One thing I really enjoy about this series is how each author sees the small Pacific Northwest town a bit differently. It makes for a fun visit each time I get to go back to Bluewater Bay.

Both Jack and Mark will tug at your heartstrings. Jack and Margaret’s backstory is revealed in stages. It’s heartbreaking, and also anger-inducing. But they had each other, and the bond between brother and sister made me ‘aww’ a few times.

Readers experience Mark’s struggle first-hand through his POV. He thinks differently, and his struggle trying to express himself so that others will understand is fairly obvious. But he refuses to let his disability stop his from achieving his goals, whether professional or personal.

I can’t judge whether the author’s portrayal of autism and its effects was entirely accurate, but I did think that the author was sensitive to the topic. I especially appreciated how the effect of autism on family and relationships was brought up.

Mark and Jack’s romance grows slowly. While they’re attracted to each other from the beginning, they become friends first. They shares dinners, bonding over their mutual love of music. Once the two do finally move forward, it’s with many starts and stops.

It takes a while for Jack and Mark to get with the program, but it’s clear that they belong together. They’re patient with one another as they work things out. And the two are incredibly sweet together. While they may have had a few ups and down, the romance isn’t at all dramatic, and I had no trouble just sitting back and reading as it slowly unfolded.

Plus, I really liked how Margaret played not-so-subtle matchmaker. She works her magic, pushing Mark and Jack together when they’re close to giving up.

One thing I wasn’t so keen on was how the author wrote the two different POVs. Jack’s POV is in third person past tense, while Mark is in first person present tense. It made for a slightly disjointed reading experience. It didn’t ruin the book, but I could have done without it.

Overall, I enjoyed ‘Bluewater Blues’ quite a lot. The romance is slow, but not at all boring. Mark and Jack are a cute couple, and their HEA is brilliantly fluffy. Recommended if you’re looking for something slow and not too angsty.

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Review: Will You Be My Escort (The Carlisles #2) by Meg Harding

A Carlisles novel

Jackson Carlisle has rotten luck with men and women, and after an especially bad situation, he takes a step back from romance. But with a two-week family reunion in Hawaii looming, his mom is determined to set him up with one of the sweet singles she knows would be perfect for him. A normal person would tell her no and be done with it. Instead, Jackson tells her he has a boyfriend. The only problem? He doesn’t.

Aaron Wilkes is an escort. He’s a little surprised when a friend’s girlfriend hires him to date her brother, but he’s had stranger jobs. Jackson is cute, and he thinks a fling with Aaron might be just the kind of no-strings-attached fun he needs to get over his dry spell. As they explore the islands together, their carefully laid plans begin to get away from them. Feelings aren’t supposed to come into play, but that shouldn’t be a problem. After all, you can’t fall in love in two weeks…. 

Fluffy cuteness!

Seriously, this could easily fit into the Dreamspun series.

Will You Be My Escort can be read as a standalone, NOT that I would recommend that since I LURVED Dinner For One to the moon and back; but, to each their own.

This is the second of The Carlisles novels and combines the fake boyfriend trope with the male escort trope to great effect. 

Jackson is the youngest of the Carlisles and he's had his heart broken one too many times thus has stopped dating to avoid Heartbreak 97.0. A big family reunion IN HAWAII plus a well meaning, if slightly pushy and meddlesome, mother make the perfect breeding ground for THE LIE. 

You know the one, so now he's got to produce "the boyfriend". Thankfully his enterprising sister Georgina knows a guy.

Remember when Carrie (SatC) decided she was going to take a LOVVAAAHHHHH and everyone from here to Schenectady knew that was never going to happen? Because Carrie's incapable of anything other than monogamous relationships? Jackson is Carrie and he thinks he's going to have a rebound fling to get back in the dating saddle with the hot escort who makes him babble and blush like a 14 yr old. I find this amusing in so many ways. 

Jackson's eccentric, independent(ish), artistic, a romantic and ever so slightly neurotic. He's also a chatterbox when nervous something Aaron finds adorable as did I. The gumball brain never fails to entertain me with the "yeah, you said that out loud".

Aaron is an escort but also Tristan's best friend (Georgina's beau). He's also highly professional and never ever falls for his clients. 

   
So... they're both a little deluded. *shrugs* Nobody's perfect.

Can I just say, I'm completely and totally enamored with the Carlisle family. They are nosy, kooky, and competitive as all get out but CHEESE AND CRACKERS! They got charisma is all I'm saying. 

Jackson and Aaron didn't get under my skin the way James and Bastien did. I think the feelings happened too quickly and I missed watching them develop. But it was still a warm fuzzy read with some satisfying sexy times and two adults who use their words, though I'm not a huge stickler for effective communication. Sometimes opening up and showing vulnerability is hard, I get that. Plus all that poor communication can make for great tension and usually fireworks. *eyebrows* I heart fireworks. A lot.

But Aaron and Jackson were both verbal and they both love dogs! Which everyone knows automatically makes someone trustworthy.

I can't wait for the twins stories and to catch up on Tristan and Georgina!

Recommend for those who need a little fluffiness in their life, as a beach read or to those in a blizzard who want to remember what warmth feels like. Because Hawaii. 

An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more on Goodreads & Dreamspinner Press.

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