Bootylicious

Here's Becca Seymour's "Bootylicious." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Legends ("where National Parks hold secrets—and monsters steal hearts").

["Bigfoot Boone has one job: protect the forest, manage the Monster Network, and absolutely not get emotionally attached to humans.

He’s already failing.

For two summers, he’s watched Elias Hart from the shadows—brilliant, distractible, and far too curious for his own good. A human biologist with terrible coffee and worse survival instincts, Elias keeps wandering dangerously close to truths that could upend Boone’s entire world.

When Elias returns early in the spring, Boone’s careful distance starts to crack. What begins as quiet observation turns into something far more dangerous: connection.
But humans don’t belong in the hidden world Boone protects—and the deeper Elias gets, the harder it will be to keep him safe… or let him go.

With watchful rangers, unpredictable monsters, and a network that’s starting to notice Boone’s slip in judgment, the line between duty and want is about to snap.

Because some secrets can be hidden.

And some are worth risking everything to keep."]

This was incredible adorable!! I took a hot minute to get into it, as the plot doesn't pick-up-pick-up for a bit, but when it does? Butterflies and feels all around. Then again, this is a slow-burn.

This was about fated feelings and kismet moments, but it was also about kindness and trust. It was caring about nature before yourself and letting the magic remain mysterious. Family and friends, even if you prefer solitude, always having your back. 

This was sooo sweet! I don’t know if the rest will be as sweet, or if there will be more angst and/or darkness,  it I’m here for it. 

And this is just the first novel in the first of two multi-author cryptid-based mm romance series coming this fall. Bring all of the spooks. 

Trigger Warnings: wilderness peril, a concussion/head injury, cryptid hunters, some fantasy violence, and more.

#bootilious #beccaseymour #blade #starlight #maneater #glow #beast #legends #legendsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Researcher's Guide to Unexpected Mates

Here's Amy Padilla's latest: "The Researcher's Guide to Unexpected Mates." This is the first novel in her Spellbound series, which is a spin-off from her Charmed Away Temp Agency series. 

["Volunteering for Spellbound Corp’s new Residential Pilot Program was supposed to make Mateo’s life easier.

Instead, between a demanding cyber security job, chaotic roommates, and sleepless nights, he’s more stressed than ever.

Then he meets Dax.

Sweet, earnest, and always showing up when Mateo needs him most, the kraken researcher quickly becomes Mateo’s favorite part of the day. Mateo never intended to rely on anyone, but it’s hard to resist someone offering support, massages, fried chicken, and a safe place to land when life gets overwhelming.

For Dax, falling for Mateo is easy.

The problem is that Dax already knows something Mateo doesn’t.

Krakens recognize their mates at first touch, and the moment Dax met the exhausted human, he knew they’d found each other.

Now he just has to figure out when to tell Mateo the truth.

After all, when is the right time to tell someone they’re your mate?"]

That. was. adorable. 

Mateo and Daz were the perfect amount of possession and caring, of obsessive and protective. They were sweet and fluffy and kind. They were also easy chemistry and spice. They were acceptance and family and Home. A smidge of angst but the more adorable of stories. It was all just...perfect. 

Not to mention that ending! Loooved it!

I canNOT wait for the rest of this series and even more HEAs at Spellbound. Not to mention more Taron (causing more trouble). ;)

#theresearchersguidetounexpectedmates #spellbound #spellboundseries #charmedawaytempagency #charmedawaytempagencyseries #amypadilla #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Pregnant Wolf Omega Next Door (Babies for Broken Dads #7)

Here is Anna Wineheart's latest: "The Pregnant Wolf Omega Next Door." It's the seventh novel in her series, Babies for Broken Dads (which is a spin-off series from her Closet Baby Chronicles series...which is also a spin-off series).

["Pregnant and on the run from his ex-alpha, Emre hides with his wolf pup in a run-down apartment. Thing is, he's out of cash, out of food, and his neighbor is cooking something that smells delicious.

Desperate to feed himself and his pup, Emre knocks on his neighbor's door.

What he doesn't expect is a handsome alpha with a secret. Zenith is protective and offers his own apartment as shelter; he accepts Emre and his pups even though neither child belongs to him.

Then Emre goes into labor, dragging his inexperienced alpha neighbor along for the ride.

This is just a case of neighbors helping each other. No one is going to fall in love... right?"]

Another hot-mess meet-cute. But at least no one was kidnapped. ;)

I love how the omega (Emre) in this one wasn't the only character without a filter. Zenith was also completely (and adorably) unable to say most of the things that popped into his head. Their honesty and awkwardness matched.

They were sooooo sweet and kind and caring and just the right amount of neediness and protective without being over the top. They were perfect.

As was our most anticipated couple/HEA. I literally cannot wait for the next book! 

Trigger Warnings: past domestic abuse, violence, and more.

#theaccidentaldragonbaby #demonbassbabyload #alphadragonsmatingcontract #guardedbyhisalphawolf #alphabossbabyservice #alphabossbabyservice #alphadragonstealsamate #thepregnantwolfomeganextdoor #thesecretomegassecretbaby #babiesforbrokendads #babiesforbrokendadsseries #annawineheart #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Puck Them (Lakeview Cougars Hockey #1)

Here's Jenn Bullard's "Puck Them." It's the first novel in the Lakeview Cougars Hockey series.

["This is my team. I’ve worked my tail off to be the captain of it, and I’m a quietly gay omega. No one needs to know my sexuality, which is why I work harder than anyone to play hockey.

If I’m honest, this is my true identity and love. Omegas tend to be smaller, less muscle dense, and I was devastated when I came into my designation. My father was the one who encouraged me, went to every game, until he died last year.

Now there are two alphas that have joined The Lakeview Cougars and they refuse to leave me alone. They’re stalking me, forcing me to my knees in the locker room, and what’s worse is I love it.

I feel like I’m losing my mind. They’re willing to take everything from me unless I admit that I’m theirs.

But you know what? Puck them."]

Well Sky and Rhodes were not like I expected based on that blurb. Then again, when it came to those two alphas Koen wasn't exactly an unbiased source. Their first set of POV chapters were spicy as hell but might lighter and more playful than I expected. They were loving and caring and kind and sweet; granted, they're not afraid to go all shades of morally gray for each other (and Koen), but it's all in the name of safety and happiness for their pack.

I honestly really loved these three. It took me a while to sort through who was who, but that was probably a me thing (I don't always pay attention to names). They were all just so perfect for each other. They each brought something to the table to enhance the relationship, as pairs as as a whole. They were...n't patient, but they tried their best to be for Koen, just as Koen (eventually) trusted them.

I canNOT wait for more of this series!

Trigger Warnings: stalking, homophobia, drink spiking, murder, destruction of home, manipulation and gaslighting, hidden cameras, dub-con, forced proximity, breaking and entering, violence drugging, sedation and kidnapping, restraint, and more. 

#puckthem #puckedandfucked #lakeviewcougarshockey #lakeviewcougarshockeyseries #jennbullard #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Bratva's Mercy (Bratva's Undoing #3)

Here's Gianni Holmes's "Bratva's Mercy." It's the third novel in her her Bratva's Undoing series.

["Leo Cavanagh lost his husband less than a month ago.
A brutal murder I helped cover up for the Morozov Bratva.
That should’ve been the end of it.

Instead, I watch him.
Wait for the moment he looks at me and doesn’t see a monster.

When he finally gives me a chance, I take it.
And for the first time, I give someone everything—my heart, my body… my soul.
But nothing about Leo is simple.

Everyone thinks he's using me.
I say his feelings are real.
But even if they aren't, it's already too late, because he is mine."]

These two were complicated. One all in and utterly devoted, willing to walk away from almost everything for this feeling in his chest that he didn't fully understand until it was far too late. And one falling despite himself, walking the fine line of new love and old love (moving on and holding grudges). 

None of their love story so far was easy. It was rough and rocky, it was hurt/comfort, it was a ticking time bomb of dislike turning to something much deeper while the domesticity gets higher. 

Well, at least this book didn't end on a sad and rather massive cliff hanger like Wren's first book...just a massive sense of doom. Fun. Thooouuugh, I did really love seeing that single chapter in Wren's POV. 

Trigger Warnings: self-harm, murder, torture, fatal overdose from clubbing, stalking, attempted suicide by a minor character, attempted murder, the medical resuscitation of an individual, the staging of a murder to look like suicide, grieving the murder of a spouse, on-page graphic description of a body falling from a high-rise building, and more.

#bratvasintern #bratvasvow #bratvasmercy #bratvaswrath #bratvasbrat #bratvasundoing #bratvasundoingseries #gianniholmes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Heart Ripper (Sex & Mayhem #9)

Here's KA Merikan's "Heart Ripper." It's the ninth novel in her Sex & Mayhem series, which are all interconnected standalones, mostly. I was craving a novel with a betting plot (sooo goooooo), and this one popped up on a Reddit thread. Both of those are reasons why I'm reading the ninth book first.

["--- You always want what you can’t have. ---

David. Catholic. Gay. Set on keeping his purity ring.
Raja. Biker. Manwhore. Never refuses a bet.

David has always tried to be the best son his parents could dream of.
Always at church on Sunday.
Always eager to help with the garden.
Always trying his best at school.
Prim, proper, innocent, and kind.
But deep inside of him, there is a yearning planted by the devil himself, and when a cocky, foul-mouthed biker pulls him a step too far, David doesn’t fall into the abyss. He leaps.
Raja is all he’s ever dreamed of, yet didn’t dare voice. Older, dangerous, a wall of muscle with a grip so strong David can’t resist him no matter how hard he tries.

As a freshly appointed president of a motorcycle club on the verge of ruin, Raja has a lot to live up to. Being gay doesn’t do him any favors in terms of commanding the respect of his men. He has his way of compensating though.
Always first in a fight.
Always bragging about his sexual conquests.
Always up for a bet.
Daring, tattooed, sexy, and unapologetic.
After he boasts he can have any man he wants, he gets challenged to hook up with the preppy guy wallflowering at a party. Raja can’t wait to pop the innocent cutie’s cherry. But when he finds out the guy is his friend’s younger brother, life gets a whole lot messier.

Why is the one guy who should be off-limits always the most tempting?"]

Talk about hurt/comfort. Fuck.

The angst was strong (on one side). The fluff was strong (on both sides). The spice? Oh boy.

These two were a hot mess. One "I really shouldn't" haven't the other until they fell in love and couldn't really back out after that. Some parts were a little juvenile, but then you remember that David just turned 18 and it makes more sense.

I WILL be back to finish the rest of the MM parts of this series (looking at you Lucky).

Trigger Warnings: violence, homophobia, religious trauma, toxic parents, talks of conversion therapy, organized crime, and more.

#roadofnoreturn #thedevilsride #nomatterwhat #hotbutpsycho #lokisnewjob #onesteptooclose #hisfavoritecolorisblood #heartripper #straightasawheel #guttermind #guardianangelinleather #sexandmayhem #sexandmayhemseries #kamerikan #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Love Bites: Volume 1

Here's "Love Bites: Volume 1." It's based on the novel "Bite Me" by Alicia Wallace and adapted by Ele. 

["As a teenage vampire, Kieran has always been warned to stay away from werewolves, but everything changes when he falls for Mason—the Alpha’s son.

What started off as disdain, lines drawn in the sand between two opposing sides, quickly turns to fascination after the two share one fateful kiss.

Kieran and Mason know they can’t be together, their communities would never approve. And with every hidden kiss and rendezvous, keeping their secret takes on a whole new set of problems.

Avoiding the eyes of both society and Kieran’s extremist family grows more and more challenging, and as silver blades sharpen, the two must choose to stand up for a love worth fighting for."]

The angst!!! It was both delicious and aggravating. It was all so mysterious and titillating. Just when you think someone will cave, the angst gets upped. I wished there was more kissing (between our two MMCs, duh) and a little more fate talk. I'll have to see where the Webtoon is at, episode wise (and maybe that OG novel). 

But really, this was glorious. Trauma plus family legacy plus a over-protective and slightly-unhinged big brother. High school drama, friendships and dating and homework. Fighting your unnatural natural instincts and hormones. All of the yes.  

#lovebites #biteme #aliciawallace #ele #graphicnovel #queergraphicnovel #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks