Work: Strictly Professional (Bad Decisions #2)

More scrambling to pick what to read (and not reading something off any of my many, many TBR lists). Here's Jesse H. Reign's "Work: Strictly Professional." It's the second book in her Bad Decisions series.

["“Not to worry, I’ll compensate you for your time and your…skill.”

My boss is a walking red flag. He’s bolshy and rude. Impossible to please. A big, broody man with dark eyes that carry an unmistakable message – I am not manageable.

Seriously, he’s the worst.

If it’s not bad enough that he’s a nightmare in the office, he’s all but ordering me to be his date to his son’s wedding. He says it’s called ‘winning a divorce.’

I try telling him that’s not a real thing but it falls on deaf ears.

Not only that, he appears to be in the throes of a major personal awakening and is determined that I’m the man to guide him through it. Normally, I’m all for going above and beyond in the name of being a star performer at work, but the services he requires are becoming increasingly indecent.

See what I mean? Red flags galore. So many red flags I can’t count them all.

I might as well be playing a game of red flag bingo at this point.

Just my luck, when it comes to Derek MacAvoy…I see a red flag and instantly want to date it."]

This book was a smidge weird at first, having JUST read the book about Derek's son (and, as a reader, being reminded of how Miller and Ryan got together JUST the same way Wyn and Derek got together), BUT I persevered. ;) 

I looooooved them. LOVED them! They were so just D: Sweet and feisty and soft and spicy and fought each other at every angle all the while falling harder each moment. It was glorious and dangerous and BEAUTIFUL.

#rentpaidinfull #workstrictlyprofessional #jessehreign #baddecisions #baddecisionsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Rent: Paid in Full (Bad Decisions #1)

More scrambling to pick what to read (and not reading something off any of my many, many TBR lists). Here's Jesse H. Reign's "Rent: Pain in Full." Its the first book in her Bad Decisions series.

["“You have something I want. Something I’ll happily buy…or rent.”

As if my life doesn’t suck enough already, my insufferable new roommate, Miller MacAvoy, seems determined to make things weird. He watches me all the time, grinning at me like a beautiful idiot, eyes boring holes into me every time I turn my back on him.

It’s the last thing I need. Things haven’t been going well. College isn’t working out at all like I’d hoped. I’m drowning in debt, waiting tables every shift I can get, and falling behind on my studies.

Something’s got to give.

I can’t go on like this much longer.

Miller, being the out-of-touch rich boy he is, keeps offering to throw cash my way. Obviously, I’d rather die than accept charity from him.

Still, he watches and waits. Insisting again and again that I have something he wants to buy. It’s insane. I have nothing of value to sell. Absolutely nothing. My phone screen is cracked and my truck could easily be mistaken for scrap.

Wait.

No!

Surely not.

He can’t possibly be thinking that.

Can he?"]

Ryan (blurb POV) is a little biased, to be perfectly honest. Yes, Miller is a bit of a dude-bro, and yes, he's rich as fuck, and yes, he might have had a fuck-boy past, but he's actually very nice. Granted, Ryan is biased from past bullying traumas.

Ryan is a lot like April Ludgate from Parks and Rec, and Miller is a lot like Andy Dwyer. Ryan was very angry and closed off and unwilling to do most things, until he met and fell in love with Miller. Miller was very playful and immature and didn't take life very seriously, until he met and fell in love with Ryan. They both became better people when they got together (though "got together" is different to both of them; Ryan was in denial for the loooongest time (Miller was sold from the first day, pun not intended)).

Trigger Warnings: anxiety, off-page bullying, and more.

#rentpaidinfull #workstrictlyprofessional #jessehreign #baddecisions #baddecisionsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Blurred Lines (Darby U Hockey Boys #2)

When there's far too many books to pick from, what do you do? Naturally, panic and read nothing while you debate (with yourself) on what to read for a week or so. I finally decided on "Blurred Lines" by Andi Jaxon. It's the second novel in her Darby U Hockey Boys series.

["I’ve been in love with my best friend for years.
The problem?
He thinks I’m straight.
And now that I share a dorm with him, his insistent need to cuddle -and lack of clothes- are blurring the careful lines I’ve drawn.
I'm struggling to keep my defenses up.
I love him but I’m afraid.
Afraid I’m not enough to make him stay.
Afraid he’ll rip my heart out.
Afraid he won’t love me back.
But I see a side of him no one else does.
In the security of our room, he lets his mask fall.
Lets me hold him.
Something lurks in the dark recesses of his mind that keeps him from going all in.
He’s just as hesitant about this as I am, but I don’t understand why.

Can I convince him to let me love him the way he deserves…
or will he take my heart and run away with it?"]

These two!!! D: I love them! They're soft and sweet, but rough and feisty. They're cuddling one minute and anxiety fighting the next. 

There was physical touch as a love language, food as a love language, crazy impulsive decisions as a love language. There was possession and declarations and protective streaks a mile long. 

There was also anxious thoughts turned toxic, because Trauma, so get your tissues ready for that one. Like the last book in this series, the trauma and the trigger warnings start off fast and heavy (you've been warned).

Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, car accident, death of a parent, abandonment of a parent, bullying, assault, anxiety, depression, and more.

#hiddenscars #blurredlines #offsides #darbyuhockeyboys #darbyuhockeyboysseries #andijaxon #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hidden Scars (Darby U Hockey Boys #1)

When there's far too many books to pick from, what do you do? Naturally, panic and read nothing while you debate (with yourself) on what to read for a week or so. I finally decided on "Hidden Scars" by Andi Jaxon. It's the first novel in her Darby U Hockey Boys series.

["Charles Preston Carmichael is the most infuriating man I’ve ever met.
I want to sock the golden boy of college hockey right in the mouth.
He enjoys telling me everything I’m messing up. Publicly.
And since he’s my roommate for the next year, I can’t avoid him.

Yet there’s something about him that makes me watch him.
Something dark.
A secret I want to uncover.

When he returns from a weekend away, broken and haunted, I can’t keep my distance anymore.
He needs someone and I’ll be damned if it’s not me.
Soon my life no longer revolves around hockey, but the nightmares he’s living with.
Desperately I want to save him but I can’t, not yet. The timing has to be just right.

Can I watch him destroy himself as he tries to hold tight to the things that matter or will I be the final hit in the destruction of his life?"]

This book DESTROYED me. It was a crying, sobbing, emotional mess. This book is so sweet and so dark and so soft and so toxic and so fucking messed up, but I looooooved it. It was glorious in all of its trigger warnings and making me cry (post book hangover) while watching The Office. 

And the trigger warnings start off STRONG, like first page of the prologue graphic violence and abuse (physical and psychological). You think you're prepared, but I'm going to tell you right fucking now: you're now. Like Preston has all the demons and all the reasons to hate everyone and to shut himself down and to never let anyone close. Too fucking bad Jermey just (accidentally) plows straight through those walls (which helped Preston, having someone in his corner, but also made the thoughts of self hate from ptsd stronger).

Part of me hopes the next book is easier on my emotions, but the other part of me is saying "bring it."

Trigger Warnings: anxiety, hospitalization, critical talk about diets/food, physical abuse, psychological abuse, suicide (on page but not graphic), and more.

#hiddenscars #blurredlines #offsides #darbyuhockeyboys #darbyuhockeyboysseries #andijaxon #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Dad Next Door (Crimson Club #5)

Attempting to get to my backlog of favorite authors and their newest releases... Here's Willow Dixon's "Dad Next Door." It's the fifth novel in her Crimson Club series.

["Moving into my first house is step one in starting my new life. Next is setting up my contracting business. I’m so focused on my future that a relationship is the last thing on my mind.

Then I meet Tristan, the single dad next door. He might be my total opposite, but we click in a way I’ve never experienced, and he quickly becomes one of my closest friends.

After attending a wedding as his fake date to make his ex, and his ex’s new boyfriend, jealous, I can’t deny that things between us have changed. I always thought I was straight, but being with Tristan doesn’t just feel good, it feels right.

Having a fling with my neighbor might be a recipe for disaster, but it could also be exactly what we both need to finally move on from our pasts."]

These two were sooooooo soft for each other! D: It was so flipping cute and perfect! They deserved it, thought! They both had their own anxieties and trust-issues and traumas (big and small--still traumas, no matter the size), and they were sooo understanding and communicative with each other through the whole relationship. 

I LOOOOVED them.

I can't wait for Jett's story!! :D

Also, I think I've been reading too many mysteries and dark romances, because I excepted a loooooot more drama, but the whole thing was relatively angst-free (which was also a relief).

Trigger Warnings: discussions of a past emotionally abusive relationship/marriage and more.

#stepbrotherdearest #fakerswithbenefits #bestservedcold #leftonread #dadnextdoor #theirwickedways #crimsonclub #crimsonclubseries #willowdixon #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Left on Read (Crimson Club #4)

Attempting to get to my backlog of favorite authors and their newest releases... Here's Willow Dixon's "Left on Read." It's the fourth novel in her Crimson Club series.

["Using a dating app to find someone willing to sell their tools for cheap might be unconventional, but it wasn't like I was having any luck finding my person on them. I'm about to give up on my search for love, and tools, when Hayden messages me.

Not only is my stolen-tool problem solved, but it turns out he’s a great guy, and we quickly become friends. But the more time we spend together, the more I notice something between us.

Something that doesn’t just feel like friendship.

Something that makes me want more. Makes me want him.

Watching Hayden lose control is everything. So is knowing he can’t stay away from me, either."]

There was so much unneeded anxiety in this book. I mean, Zane slapped them both over their faces with reality, and it STILL took them forever to talk! Fucking men.

ANYway, I LOOOOOVED River. I was obsessed with him. Even his quirks and insecurities were admirable and adorable. CLEALY, Hayden agrees. ;) Honestly though, they both had their own pasts and traumas and self-hates, but together (and with the help from their friends), they worked through it and learned that they're beautiful in their own way.

I was all set up (spoiler ahead--minor) for a third-act-break-up, but luckily, it didn't happen (or I would have SOBBED).

Trigger Warnings: neglectful and emotionally detached parents, mentions of past death of parents, mention of financially abusive extensive family, mentions of past bullying, mentions of an emotionally abusive ex, and more.

#stepbrotherdearest #fakerswithbenefits #bestservedcold #leftonread #dadnextdoor #theirwickedways #crimsonclub #crimsonclubseries #willowdixon #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Suddenly A Murder

I thiiiiiiink I stumbled across Lauren Muńoz's "Suddenly A Murder" at target (not a targeted add this time--just lack of control at a store instead).

["Seven friends throw a 1920s-themed party, where it's all pretend--until one of them is murdered. One of Us Is Lying meets Knives Out in this killer locked-room mystery.

Someone brought a knife to the party.

To celebrate the end of high school, Izzy Morales joins her ride-or-die Kassidy and five friends on a 1920s-themed getaway at the glamorous Ashwood Manor. There, Izzy and her friends party in vintage dresses and expensive diamonds--until Kassidy's boyfriend turns up dead.

Murdered, investigators declare when they arrive at the scene, and now every party guest is a suspect. There's the girlfriend, in love. The other girl, in despair. The old friend, forlorn. The new friend, distressed. The brooding enigma. And then, there's Izzy--the girl who brought the knife.

To find the killer, everyone must undergo a grueling interrogation, all while locked in an estate where, suddenly, the greatest luxury is innocence."]

I enjoyed how this book flashed from the present to the past (again, trickling through everyone's POV--giving us readers incite on exactly why everyone at the party had motive and means to murder Blaine (he was kinda an asshole (though, he didn't deserve to die))). I mean, I even suspected Izzy, our narrator (she IS the one who brought the knife).

I managed to catch the ONE inconsistency (there might have been more). I threw my book, ran around the house, and told my mom "I figured out who did it! It was REDACTED!" Which, honestly makes sense. 

Though, gonna be honest here, I was not 100% sold on the Why. Yes, it was legit, and yes, people have murdered for less, and YES it was horrible and disgusting and just blegh (ONE of the many reasons Blaine sucks (though, this one wasn't all his fault)). But it just...I don't know. The novel deflated a bit for me after that. 

Though x2, there were some nice plot twists in there (family, friends, romance, acceptance, disregarding people's biases, going for your dreams).

#suddenlyamurder #laurenmunoz #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography

The Amazing Alpha Tau Pledge Project (Alpha Tau #3)

Here is Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey's "The Amazing Alpha Tau Pledge Project." It's the second in their Alpha Tau series.

["Briar Pendelton is new to Lassiter, and he’s determined to get into Alpha Tau, even if that means lying about already having passed his LSAT and doing stupid pledge stunts like dressing as a sorority girl. Besides, he’s always looked killer in a skirt.

Casey Hill has been pledge master of Alpha Tau for two years. Keeping a bunch of pledges in line is a bit like herding cats, but Casey’s got it down to a fine art.

When Briar sashays into their fraternity with eyeliner, attitude, and legs for miles, Casey is thrown for a loop—in the best possible way. Except what happens when Briar literally can’t make the grade?

Uh oh."] 

Briar is one of my favorite kind of characters: feisty, sassy, not afraid to stand up for others, looks hot in fem, manages to be both dom and sub, has secrets, soft for exactly one person, described multiple times as a angry kitten/feral animal. (One of my OTP's, in my head, is this character--my best friend has the exact opposite opinion of the same character)

Casey was sooooo fucking weak for him. Which I LOVE even more. Fan-girl swoooooning over here.

And when Casey saw Briar in that skirt? The exact quote (including Briar's BFF slash protectee): "'Jesus, Briar,' Charlie said, snapping me out of my fantasies. 'You look amazing!' He spoke in a tone usually reserved for church. // Okay, then. Good to know I wasn't the only one having a religious experience."

Except, all of Briar's secrets are giving me angina, so there's that. 

Trigger Warnings: all sorts of homophobia, bullying, anti-fem-boy-ness (not sure if that qualifies as homophobia or transphobia or just plain dick-behavior), and more.

#brojobs #theamzingalphatauboyfriendproject #themazingalphatauselfimprovementproject #theamazingalphataupledgeproject #theamazingalphatauromeoandjulietproject #alphatau #alphatauseries #lassiteruniversity #lassiteruniversityseries #lisahenry #sarahhoney #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Not So Casual

Trying (and mostly failing) at catching up on recent releases. Here's Ashley Rayne's "Not So Casual."

["What happens when the lines between boss and employee get blurred?

Alexander
From the moment he stepped into my office, there was something different about Elias Bowen. Something that always drew me in and made me want to know more, to drop the walls I’d spent years building. After seeing a different side to Elias, we both have to figure out where our feelings lie. The problem? He’s my assistant.

Elias
From the second I walked into his office, I wanted him. Alexander Hayes. He’s a man who can get everyone he wants, and all I want is him. After an embarrassing night, I throw caution to the wind and push the boundaries of our friendship to see if we could be more. The problem? He’s my boss."]

Ashley prefaced this novella as something that was short, sweet, low-angst, and mostly plot-less (iykyk). This book was beautiful. I've been meaning to read it for weeks, and if I would have known it was low-angst and only 1.5 hours long, I would have totally done it sooner.

It was low-angst, but I still teared up. Elias was a beautiful soul, totally in love with Alexander (who was totally in love with Elias, just didn't know it). There was ALMOST a miscommunication, but gladly, that (loved and hated) trope was not used her (spoiler alert).

This book also (which I LOVE when authors do) hinted at Ashley's previous books and her future books (love. that.).

#notsocasual #ashleyrayne #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Reappearance of Rachel Price

Another one of the books I've been meaning to read for so freaking long (okay, like a month). Holly Jackson's "The Reappearance of Rachel Price."

["A new true-crime fueled mystery thriller about a girl determined to uncover the shocking truth about her missing mother while filming a documentary on the unsolved case.

Lights. Camera. Lies.

18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness, but she has no memory of it. Rachel is gone, long presumed dead, and Bel wishes everyone would just move on.

But the case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agree to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for life to go back to normal. And then the impossible happens. Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again.

Rachel has an unbelievable story about what happened to her. Unbelievable, because Bel isn’t sure it’s real. If Rachel is lying, then where has she been all this time? And – could she be dangerous? With the cameras still rolling, Bel must uncover the truth about her mother, and find out why Rachel Price really came back from the dead . . ."]

One of the things I love/hate about mysteries/thrillers is the fact that you can't fucking trust anyone. I'm suspicious of literally everyone. Breathe at me the wrong way, and I'll suspect you. Be too nice, and I'll suspect you. Act too guilty, and I'll suspect you, doubt my self, suspect them again, question my own sanity, have a mental breakdown, and then suspect you again. Not even the narrator is safe (I read a book before that the narrator didn't even know he/she was the killer the whole time--that was a mind-fuck).

Holly Jackson is a master at this craft. Yes, there were a few times it was sluggish, but all novels have those moments (Holly even joked about it 45-pages in "Rachel got into bed, making eye contact with the book waiting for her on the top of her nightstand. The plot hasn't really got going yet--a lot of backstory--but something exciting was going to happen soon. It had to: the title promised it."

Another amazing quote: "'To the most fucked-up family in America. Cheers!'" Which was page, maybe 120, and Bel didn't even know how right that phrase would be. 

#thereappearanceofrachelprice  #hollyjackson #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography

Inferno (Drake Security #4)

So many TBRs and so little time (and these authors just keep releasing shit, like my reading life (and life life) isn't already stressful enough). Here's Mika Nix's "Inferno," the fourth book in the Drake Security series.

["I know I should keep my hands off of Montrose. But the one thing dragons and demons have in common is how much we love to play with fire.

My youngest brother has always had a knack for getting himself into trouble, but this time he’s stolen from the wrong demon and it might just be the last mistake he ever makes.

I have no reason to trust Montrose, but my dragon does anyway. There's something about the vibrant, sassy incubus that calls to me, no matter how hard I try to resist.

Saving my brother's scales should be top priority, but this inferno between Montrose and I just keeps heating up.

If fate put him in my path, can I trust that we'll make it to the other side of this disaster together? There's only one way to find out…"]

These poor fools. They were just so.... Tino said once that he was a himbo, but like bruuuuuuh, you just watched 3 of your brothers fall in love with their fated mates. And you reeeaaalllllly didn't think THAT was why you're emotions were so tangled over Montrose and your dragon was so obsessed with the demon?!?! Everyone fucking else knew. Everyone, but Montrose himself, because he was an idiot about it, too.

BUT they were halfway to being bonded before they realized their stupidity (one point to Dempsey (and Lake) for no longer putting up with their BS). There was so much love and trust and fluff and protectiveness and possessiveness and caring between them (not to mention the lust, the pure (literal) fire between them). 

I fucking can't with this series. It's too many emotions to handle for one person (hence why the author is really two people). I want the next book NOW (mainly because I deduce that it will be Lord's, and with his luck, he'll fall in love with the dragon hunter or something ;) ).

#hothead #smolder #wildfire #inferno #drakesecurity #drakesecurityseries #mikanix #kmneuhold #miamonroe #paranormal #books #queerbooks #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Death at Morning House

While browsing #NetGalley, there's always a book or two that you request even though you KNOW you will get rejected, because What If. Well, what fucking if!?! I was accepted to read an ARC of Maureen Johnson's "Death at Morning House." YAY!

["The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.

With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.

Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?

Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.

All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first."]

My ARC didn't come with a map, it being an ARC and all, but I was still a little sad (I'll survive).

But I did LOVE how the book had 2-3 chapters from Marlowe's POV, and then it switched over to the Ralston Family POV (the original owners of the Morning House), taking turns through the individual family members to show us readers that the Ralston Family wasn't as perfect as the prologue (a Life magazine article) insinuates. It was brilliant (and it added that second layer suspense through a second mystery).

It took me a while to get through this book, NOT because it wasn't good (it was GREAT), but because life and stress and other books debuting (and my lack of impulse control) and whatnot getting in the way. The hook for this book did take a bit to catch you though, so many that was it as well.

But when it did hook you!?! Holy. Fucking. Shit. So much murder and secrets and treasure and "accidents" and wow. Just wooooow. The moment everything started to come together? I don't think I breathed for the last like 2 hours of this book.

Everyone needs to buy this thing when it comes out on August 6, 2024. Ev. Ery. One.

#deathatmorninghouse #maureenjohnson #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Satisfying (Elite Protection Services #4.5)

Not sure WHAT I'm really in the mood to read, but I suppose crossing something off an older TBR list is better than nothing? Here is Onley James's "Satisfying." It's the fifth and final addition (a novella) in her Elite Protection Services series.

[""Do you want to help me put the ho in holiday?"

That’s the line a drunken Jacob Shaw utters to the hottest Santa he’s ever seen. It’s also the only thing he remembers of the night that led to him waking up half naked in a revealing elf costume next to an equally half-naked Santa.

Killian Connolly is a loner. Even with his tight-knit work family, he tends to stick to the fringe of the group. So, when he wakes up next to a tiny, furious half-dressed elf, who accuses him of taking his virginity and cheating on a spouse he doesn’t have, Connolly is both bewitched and confused.

A snow-storm, a marriage neither remember, and an attraction too powerful to resist all lead to the hottest, sweetest, twenty-four hours of both of their lives. Can a drunken mistake between a virgin and a two-time divorcee be the happily-ever-after neither saw coming?"]

This Elite Protection Services novella was almost trauma-less! It's a Christmas miracle! 

Connolly and Jacob were cute and sweet and spicy and snarky and just perfect! I loved them! I'm glad Connolly got rainroaded with a HEA; he never seemed like he fit in anywhere, always on the sidelines. And I'm glad Jacob was chucked into a HEA; cults and childhood trauma suck. Coincidentally, they shared this HEA. ;)

Trigger Warnings: references the past death of a child, mentions of cult shit, and more.

#intoxicating #captivating #exasperating #infuriating #satisfying #eliteprotectionservices #eliteprotectionservicesseries #onleyjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Infuriating (Elite Protection Services #4)

Not sure WHAT I'm really in the mood to read, but I suppose crossing something off an older TBR list is better than nothing? Here is Onley James's "Infuriating." It's the fourth novel in her Elite Protection Services series.

["What he fears is love.

JACKSON AVERY has everything in life, except somebody to share it with. But as the owner of one of the largest private security forces in the country, he’s got plenty to keep him busy until he finds ‘the one.’ After spending the last year dealing with the fallout of his best security agents falling for their clients, the last thing Jackson expects is to take one look at feisty camboy, Dayton Daniels, and almost instantly know that he’s it for him.

DAYTON DANIELS has been on his own since he was just fourteen years old. He’s spent his entire life scraping by, doing whatever’s necessary to survive. A severe learning disability has left Day unable to read and forced him to find creative ways to make a living. Camming allows him to earn money while keeping his clients at a distance, and Day has grown used to keeping everybody at a distance...until he witnesses a murder and Jackson Avery walks into his life.

Guarding Day is supposed to be a favor, a simple off the books job until they find out who killed a prominent attorney, but Jackson quickly realizes there is nothing simple about Day. He’s beautiful, smart, surprising, and Jackson is all in merely ten minutes after they meet. But Day, he can’t imagine a man like Jackson wanting to spend his life with somebody like him, and he is determined to do anything to send Jackson running in the opposite direction, no matter how much it hurts.

When Day starts receiving threatening emails, Jackson enlists his team to hunt down the killer. Day doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life living in fear, but every day he’s with Jackson, he falls a little harder, forming cracks in the walls he’s worked so hard to build up around himself. Can Jackson solve a murder and find a way past Day’s defenses to convince him there is such a thing as love at first sight and that everybody deserves a happily ever after, even him?"]

Like, how can each MC in this series get progressively more traumatized? How can their lives get worse than the last book (objectively speaking--seriously trauma isn't comparable)? Holy. Shit.

I mean, the blurb wasn't wrong. Jackson all but said "yes, sir, I'll take that one" (about, and I QUOTE, "that twinky ball of rage"). And Day tried his fucking damned to make Jackson run (the things he did/said in front of Jackson's mother, wow). 

BUT you can only run from fate so far and so hard, because fate doesn't care about your feelings or your trauma or your stalker. No, fate says "you're in love, you twisted fuckers". And then its so. That and the twisted family at Elite Protection Services makes sure you get your happily ever after (with a large side of intrusive but loving found family members).

Trigger Warnings: stalking, past childhood emotional abuse, past childhood sexual trauma, on-page violence, assault, attempted rape, and more.

#intoxicating #captivating #exasperating #infuriating #satisfying #eliteprotectionservices #eliteprotectionservicesseries #onleyjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks