Devlish (Park Avenue Kings #2)

Here's Ella Frank's and Brooke Blaine's "Devlish." It's the second novel in their latest series: Park Avenue Kings (which is a spin-off of their Park Avenue Princes series).

["Who are we? Nobody really knows. We’re the seven most powerful heirs to empires, ruling Manhattan from our thrones on Park Avenue. By day, we’re the elite, untouchable, and more connected than you could ever imagine. By night, we revel in the darkness of our secrets, pulling strings that make the city bow to our whims.
Ruthless.
Dangerous.
We’re the Park Avenue Kings.
In this city of power and desire, where the line between love and obsession blurs, nothing is off-limits—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

***

In a world where everything is within his grasp, love is the only thing that’s ever eluded him.

Lucien Vale is temptation incarnate. Devilishly charming, wickedly confident, and sinfully sexy, he rules Manhattan’s most elite clubs, indulging the city’s darkest desires with a knowing smirk and a whisper of seduction. He’s built an empire, played the game to perfection, and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty when it serves the greater good.

But love? That’s always been just out of reach.

Then he sees Kai Daniels—a man too raw, too vulnerable, and too damn captivating to ignore—being used by someone who doesn’t deserve him. And Lucien doesn’t hesitate. He steps in, knowing full well that some things aren’t meant to be owned. 

But Kai’s past isn’t ready to let him go. His tormentor is powerful, relentless, and determined to make them both pay. As the stakes rise, Lucien is forced to become the man he’s kept buried—the one who doesn’t just play the game but makes sure his enemies never play again.

Now, with danger closing in and their connection burning hotter than ever, Lucien and Kai must decide if they’re willing to risk everything for a love that was never part of the plan."]

I love how these powerful as fuck men fall to their knees when they meet their soul mates. They're so fucking powerful and rich and influential, but they'd throw it all away for their men. Well, maybe that's a bit dramatic. Can you imagine any of these Kings without their money and penthouses and wardrobes? They would throw a shit ton of their power and money and influence to make the world better, safer, and happier for their men. 

And Lucien was no different. He knew, the very moment he laid eyes on Kai, that he'd do reckless things to make him better, safer, happier. And that was from across a crowed (sex-fueled) room. Up close, looking into his eyes, getting to know him, learning his secrets, collecting his dreams? Lucien would do anything for Kai. Anything.

And Kai slowly but surely learned that. Right after he learned how safe Lucien was. And how content he felt around him. And how happy life could get with the right person, the right circumstances. And Lucien, while unexpected, is all of those rights.

As are Lucien and Kai together. Much to the amusement of every single King. Suddenly not so much hate on the love/romance front from them.

Quote of the Day: "What a cute little king he makes." Lucien about Kai.

Trigger Warnings: lack of safe word (not between MCs), sex/human trafficking (not between MCs), stalking (not between MCs--none of the trigger warnings are between MCs), kidnapping, violence, and more.

#forewordprandmarketing #arcs #arcteammember
#savage #unholy #immoral #ruthless #merciless #devilish #parkavenueprinces #parkavenueprincesseries #parkavenuekings #parkavenuekingsseries #ellafrank #brookeblaine #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Lustful Nights (Peaches #1)

Here's Ashley Rayne's latest: "Lustful Nights." It's the first novel in her Peaches series

["Lennox
A string of bad boyfriends has me questioning my taste in men. They’re either jealous of my job as a dancer at a strip club, or they use it as an opportunity to try hooking up with my friends. It also doesn’t help that my big brother is the definition of overprotective, meaning nobody is ever good enough for me.
When I notice his best friend—his very straight, very good-looking best friend—at the club where I work more than once, I wonder if maybe he’s not as out of my reach as I once thought he was.

Jensen
My life is pretty simple, which is totally fine with me. I work remotely, spend time with my best friend, Nick, and ride my motorcycle. I’ve had a few girlfriends here and there, but nobody recently, and definitely not anyone serious.
When my boss has his bachelor party at a local all-male strip club, I know I have to make an appearance. Then I notice a fit body attached to a familiar face. I wasn’t expecting to see my best friend’s brother dancing onstage, but I also wasn’t prepared for the feelings watching him perform brought out in me. But even if I wanted to explore anything with Lennox, am I willing to risk my years-long friendship for him?"]

I love how little angst Ashley's novels have. Don't get me wrong, angst pushing the book forward really well (and who doesn't love all of the trope-y feels that come with angst), but sometimes it's nice to have a emotion-easy read.

Not to mention the brother's-best-friend trope in this one! Looooove that cliche. It's cheesy and awkward at times, but it's adorable and sweet and utterly perfect for Lennox and Jensen. Or should I saw Lennox and Jensen are utterly perfect for each other.

I loooooved all of the potential for other books that here hinted at in this novel, too. SO many possibly couples and storylines!!

#gayromancereviews #booksprout #arcs #arcteammember
#lustfulnights #seductivenights #peaches #peachesseries #ashleyrayne #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Goodbye, March!

March was just as long as February, if not longer. But at the same time, I can't believe we already finished three whole months of 2025. We had another winter, another false spring, another winter, and possibly real spring (?).

2025 Resolutions:
     (1) Don't stop reading
            (b) Complete Monthly Reading Challenge(s)
     (2) Make memories
     (3) Share love of books/reading
     (4) Be kinder to myself

(1) Book's Read This Month: 42 (might get one more in there before midnight though).

    (b) Monthly Reading Challenge(s): Shape = Leprechaun. Got some A-Z stuff recorded. Some ARCs. Got a some of Beat The Backlog done.

(2) March Memories: My cousin got married this month. My best friend turned 30. I had a few really good meals out. I babysat once. I got a cold twice. I purchased concert tickets to two shows in the Jonas Brothers upcoming tour. I got to got to an author's launch party for her new book.

(3) Posts this month (including this one): 35.

(4) More sun in March. More sad days in March. But it was a good balance. Discovering new foods (or old ones I didn't previously like but like now) was fun. As was some feelings of being a badass (go me). Still haven't been I still haven't been kinder to myself physically; maybe eventually it'l happen. Loooots of work shifts and long days. But I also do remember laughing a lot. And, at the author event, I learned a new phrase that I want to embrace: joyful chaos. 

Anyone still holding onto their resolutions?

Any exciting April reads? Any existing 2025 reads?
Anything I should check out?

#newyearsresolutions #goodbyemarch #helloapril #hello2025 #dontstopreading #makememories #shareloveofbooks #shareloveofreading #bekindertomyself #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Demon Bodyguard

Here's Alex J Adams's "The Demon Bodyguard." It's technically not part of a series, but it's best read after "The Demon Undertaker."

["A fateful assignment leads to one fated mate!

Zeke
My brother, Mal, might have been happy to bury the bodies and reap the souls, but it wasn't for me.
I was bored, looking for my next adventure when by chance, I heard about a job paying ONE MILLION F*CKING EUROS. I'd have been stupid to turn it down.
Only now, I'm sitting on my motorbike in rainy London, being paid to spy on a man I think is my mate.
Me with a mate? That's a joke. I'm a player, a Romeo, a lover. I don't have time for that.
But I guess now I'm putting love before wealth, and bang goes my one million Euros.
Because someone wants him gone and I can't have that. Revenge will be sweet, of that I have no doubt.
No one crosses a demon and gets away with it.

Rory
I'd do anything to protect my daughter, including moving from Italy to London to protect her from her grandfather, a man I loathe with a passion.
I couldn't let him take Carlotta from me. Mia would never have forgiven me. Mia, my dead wife and love of my life.
But who's spying on me? He thinks I can't see him, He thinks he's invisible.
Newsflash!
I see him, I feel him, I need him.
When trouble comes calling, he's my knight in shining armour riding in on a black Ducati.
The pull I feel is undeniable, though, and I'll not deny him or me.
It's time to put the past behind me and consider my future with the dark-haired, leather-clad demon with the yellow eyes."]

Oh Zeke, you silly demon. Thinking you can outrun or outsmart fate. Or just ignore it. Suuuure. Good thing that demon of his isn't letting him off quite so easily. Neither is Carlotta.

It's a shame that Carlotta getting hurt and her nonno being an asshole is what brought Zeke and Rory together. And Carlotta losing her mother. However, if none of that happened, Zeke and Rory would haven't gotten together (and Zeke wouldn't be eating his words on true love and settling down).

I liked how this novel was a little longer. It gave these two more time to get to know each other as individuals before the inevitable mated thing happened. They slowly fell in love (and you could see it happening), and the journey was beautiful. And the switch from "I'll be a widower forever" (okay, Jason was a lot more adamant about that than Rory) to "I'm so in love and it's never been like this before" was a lot more seamless and less dramatic.

Trigger Warnings: death of a loved one, mild violence, and more.

#booksirens #arcs #arcteammember
#thedemonundertaker #thedemonbodyguard #alexjadams #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Demon Undertaker

Here's Alex J Adams's "The Demon Undertaker." It's part of a multi-author series, Possessive Love.

["Perfect Shores Funeral Parlour: Where we bury the bodies and reap the SOULS!

Mal
Perfect Shores Funeral Parlour, the family business; we bury the bodies and reap the souls, it’s what we do.
“Be nice to the humans, Mal.” My father insists. “Humans are our business.”
I don’t do humans. I don’t like humans. They’re tedious, but I'm cold and unfeeling. They mean nothing to me.
But then he walks in; sad eyes, sallow skin, a man grieving for his lost love. It’s all I can do not to hide him away and take care of him.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to happen; now I don’t know how to handle these feelings.
Doesn’t he know I’m a demon, not a lover?

Jason
“It’s time to move on, Jase.” Kristine’s words ring in my ears as I enter Perfect Shores Funeral Parlour, but that isn’t what I have in mind.
You see, I’ve heard of a man that can bring him back from the dead and I’ll do anything to hold him in my arms again. Kieran was my world until his ended.
But then there he is. Tall, dark and brooding, but he’s not the one I’m here to see. He’s not the one that can bring Kieran back to me.
Something about him, though. I can’t explain how he brings a long-forgotten smile to my face, how my stone-cold heart beats a little faster.
This wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to happen.
But he’s a demon, not my dead lover."]

I wanted to give Jason a big hug, and I wanted to give Mal a big shake. But that didn't last long (the shake--the hug lasted through the whole novel). They finally figured out their chemistry, their zing. Mal's bluntness helped, as did Smokey the dog. I'd say Zeke helped, but he's a hot mess (who's ready to get his comeuppance in the form of his own HEA).

These two were fucking adorable though. It was rocky at first..and in the middle. But they--wait for it--communicated and figured it out. Their romance was fast, faster if not for Mal not loving humans and Jason grieving his lost husband. But the connection these two had? The undeniable fate? The love and commitment? It was beautiful.

Trigger Warnings: death of a loved one, a terminal illness, and more.

#thedemonundertaker #thedemonbodyguard #alexjadams #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Castle Swimmer: Volume 2

When I saw an ARC of "Castle Swimmer: Volume 2" by Wendy Martin on Netgalley, I neeeeeded it! And lucky me, I was granted one a few weeks later.

["Two mermen reject their destinies and embark on a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself—and a romance that nobody could have predicted—in the stunning second installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer.

The sharks want Kappa dead, and time is running out for Prince Siren to save him. Queen Susca knows Siren doesn’t have the courage to kill Kappa, and for the sake of the kingdom, she’s willing to do the deed herself. As tensions run high, neighboring queens pay the sharks a visit to offer an alliance, and while they might just be the means of escape the two mermen have been looking for, it’s unclear if they can be trusted.

Siren will do anything to get Kappa to safety—even if it means never seeing him again, and even if all Kappa wants is to stay by his side. Yet escaping the queen’s spear will take all of Siren and Kappa’s courage and cunning, and there’s no guarantee they’ll both make it out alive."]

Siren and Kappa are still my absolute favorite! They are adorable and in-like and sooo lost in life. But the second volume of "Castle Swimmer" showed the power of saying "no", of finding who you are as a person (what your beliefs are), and standing up for yourself. It's about the weight of responsibility, of putting so much of that responsibility on a child (and just being okay with it--I'm looking at you, too, Harry Potter).

A lot of people stood up for what they believed in. A lot of people explored new beliefs. A lot of people were changed by seeing others stand up for their beliefs. 

And yet...this one ended on an almost-cliffhanger. Not as bad as Volume 1, but still not a completed HEA. Here I go to Webtoon.

#netgalley #arc #arcteammember
#castleswimmer #castleswimmerseries #wendymartin #graphicnovel #queergraphicnovel #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Payback Girls

SO many ARCs and just not enough time. Then again, I knew that before I requested this one. Here's Alex Travis's "The Payback Girls."

["His first mistake was underestimating them.

Senior year is going to be perfect. Meghan won't settle for anything less. She's already crushing her classes and dating the star of the basketball team. Nate's friends have been less than welcoming, but it's never easy being one of the only Black kids at a mostly white prep school. Still, Meghan did not expect the scene at pep rally.

Robin and Bria dated Nate too. are dating him. He never broke up with them, and Meghan is furious.

When Nate is found bloodied and unconscious in the locker room after the big game, suddenly the three teens are prime suspects—and a tenuous alliance may be the only way to clear their names. Except Meghan doesn't remember everything that happened that night, and she's starting to have feelings for one of the exes. One thing is for the more clues they uncover, the more Meghan, Bria, and Robin each look responsible…"]

I read this blurb, and I needed it. "John Tucker Must Die" (if you haven't watched this 2006 movie, you're missing out), but John Tucker ends up almost dead. Plus some queerness sprinkled in there. I was sold.

LOVED the female rage in this. Revel in your anger. Don't let people push you around and make you a victim. You own your agency, and if they threaten to take it from you, push back. These girls did just that. It was powerful as fuck. Especially adding in the race aspect. 

Just as powerful was the female friendship in this one. Thought it was rocky most of the novel, they stuck together. Meghan's sisters on the other hand? Loyal as fuck, perfect representation of female empowerment and support. 

Oh, you want to know about the crime? Because it's a mystery. Makes sense. The suspects list only got longer and longer, the details more convoluted and confusing. People would clear themselves, only to reappear as suspects a few chapters laters. We all suspected the three girls a few times, at least I did. I even suspected the actual culprit a few times (go, me). 

#thepaybackgirls #alextravis #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks