Levirty (Dragons of Ardaine #2)

Here's Roe Horvat's "Levity." It's the second novel in her Dragons of Ardaine series.

["What’s the point of staying alive when you can’t live?

Half-naked in the arms of an angry, domineering alpha, Leo negotiates the limits for what’s shaping up to be his hottest encounter ever. After months of hiding in fear, he’s giving in to his desires, and it feels glorious. Except things go horribly wrong, and not only do his ex’s goons attack him, but now he’s being kidnapped by what appears to be a mythical creature. Or maybe he’s gone insane. Because dragons don’t exist, do they?

Davidson has finally found him. The one. His mate is gorgeous, tastes like heaven, and outright asks for a spanking. He’s also in acute danger, and Davidson must rescue him in dragon form, talons out. No wonder Leo is terrified of him. After their awful first night together, Davidson is determined to make things right and protect Leo with all his might."]

This book was a little darker than the first one. In plot and in spice. Then again, neither of them were complaining (about the spice--they were complaining about the plot).

These two were both such hot messes. Their love story wasn’t as easy as Lawrence and Ernest, but those two didn’t hold anything back, or have a strong dislike for themselves, or have a rough understanding of relationships, or trauma/baggage. But they made it work (after Lawrence told them to just freaking talk). 

I loved the Lawerence cameos. And Manny! 

Trigger Warnings: traumatic experiences of abuse by ex, sex work, drug use, and more. 

#skydive #levity #freefall #breakneck #dragonsofardaine #dragonsofardaineseries #roehorvat #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Skydive (Dragons of Ardaine #1)

Here's Roe Horvat's "Skydive." It's the first novel in her Dragons of Ardaine series.

["On New Year’s Eve, Lawrie meets a deadly attractive, loaded alpha who’s brilliant in bed and nice to boot. Pity Ernest travels so much and doesn’t do relationships. Lawrie can at least enjoy one wild weekend. Except now it’s the morning after, and things get weird. Very weird. Lawrie’s body has changed overnight, warranting the freakout of a lifetime.

Ernest has been looking for his true mate since the eager age of twenty-one. After fifteen years, he’s reconciled himself to restless traveling and hook-ups. The most recent one is a real treat—a certain Lawrence Winchester, a young omega with a sharp wit and an unusually intense scent. The thought of a mate doesn’t even enter Ernest’s head as he drifts through the night in a lusty haze. The morning brings life-altering revelations. Lawrie is the one—the signs are unmistakable. Now how to break it to him gently that he’s stuck with Ernest for the rest of his life and that Ernest is, um, a slightly different species…"]

This was adorable as hell! These two had just a fun meet cute, and the chemistry at their first full meeting was off the charts. And what’s more fun then the one-night-stand situation one might and the oh-fuck-we’re-bonded next morning? 

It wasn’t all blue skies and smiles, but they communicated and worked thinks out as issues popped up.

This universe was a unique take on dragon mates and omegaverse. It was fun and refreshing. And I can’t wait for more! 

Trigger Warnings: off-page and past death of a parent, workplace harassment by SC, near-death experience, and more. 

#skydive #levity #freefall #breakneck #dragonsofardaine #dragonsofardaineseries #roehorvat #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Gutter Mind (Sex & Mayhem #12)

Here's KA Merikan's "Gutter Mind." It's the twelfth 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.

["— Face of an angel. Mind in the gutter.---

Mike. Macho Biker. Scarred. Will never love again.
Arden. Femme boy. Jaded. Will never succumb to lust again.

Mike is always on the lookout for a fresh fling, and there are more than enough chicks for a stud like him at the Smoke Valley MC clubhouse. But the pretty little thing he spots at the gas station turns out to be a boy, and that triggers all sorts of confusion.
Mike loves a challenge, so when he’s given the cold shoulder, his predator senses are set aflame! Straight or not, Mike makes a bet with his cousin and won’t settle for anything other than a total seduction of Arden.

Arden has bigger fish to fry than some biker’s petty insecurities. His last relationship has left him jaded and hurt, so he will never again succumb to the charms of a bad boy. Especially since Mike isn’t just hot, he’s freaking irresistible. Older, dangerous, and cocky, Mike will be Arden’s downfall if he isn’t careful.
But when a monster from Arden’s past reaches out his claws, the only deterrent Arden can think of is claiming Mike is his new boyfriend. So now he’s stuck in a fake relationship with a straight guy.

For Mike, what starts as a game turns out to be an awakening he’d never expected. The ice prince in lace is actually hot as hellfire, with a gutter mind to match Mike’s, and all of a sudden, his scarred heart is not as safe as he’d thought it was."]

These two had instant chemistry, instant lust. But they both held back. Mike wanted Arden, he wanted Arden in all of the physical possible ways, but he pushed all of the realness and feelings away. Arden wanted Mike, but he was trying to do better and be stronger and not get into his feels or into trouble. But the connection between them pulsed and grew as their friendship grew. 

A fake relationship benefited both of them. They both could claim (and get) safety from the situation. It also gave them an excuse to grow that friendship, a true friendship in which a true, real, right relationship could grow from. 

Not to mention the danger around them or the spice between them. Spice and fluff galore. (Soooo much spice).

Trigger Warnings: violence, mentions of past abuse, mentions of past rape, mild homophobia, mild internalized homophobia, kidnapping, and more.

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

Turned By The Bully (Only One Room #3)

Here's Evan Barnes's "Turned By The Bully." It's the third novella in the Only One Room series, which are all novellas surrounding shared dorm rooms.

["I thought I knew who I was. Then my personal bully became my roommate.

Zachary Kovac is a god of muscle and rage, and for years, his favorite pastime has been making my life hell.

Now, there’s nowhere to run from his relentless taunts or the dark, obsessive way his eyes follow me across our tiny dorm room.

I should be terrified. I’m supposed to hate him. I should be running.

But with every heated confrontation, the line between hate and something else begins to blur.

His anger feels like a cover for a primal hunger, and my body is starting to burn with a need I can’t explain.

He wants to prove he has complete power over me, and the most terrifying part is… I’m starting to want him to succeed."]

A deliciously dark and hidden fluff romance. A true enemies to lovers. A touch (or more) of confusion over your feelings, your bully's feelings, your body's reactions to all of the feelings. Other people realizing his true feelings for you before you do.

This was the last of Evan's books that I had to read. I hope he comes out with more soon!

Trigger Warnings: bullying, and more.

#thejockssecretobsession #studyincravingmybestfriendsbigone #turnedbythebully #evanbarnes #onlyoneroom #onlyoneroomseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Study in Craving My Best Friends Big One (Only One Room #2)

Here's Evan Barnes's "Study in Craving My Best Friends Big One." It's the second novella in the Only One Room series, which are all novellas surrounding shared dorm rooms.

["My best friend Steve–all muscle and classic jock charm–is finally my roommate. I figured living together would be easy. No surprises, no drama. We know everything about each other.

I was wrong.

On the very first night, everything changes.

First, a glimpse of him that I can’t unsee. My God, he has the biggest package imaginable.

Then, a quiet, loaded comment from him that flips a switch inside me: “Guys can do everything faster and better when it comes to having a really good time.”

What the hell does he mean?

And more importantly, why is the straightest guy I know suddenly looking at me with an intensity that feels like pure craving?"]

Another very sweet novella/short story. It had barely any angst, just best friends...getting closer. And do I love best friends to lovers romance (another top five trope). These two were adorable. Total opposites attract, loud and muscle-y jock meets total nerd who thinks of everything in terms of computer programing and the scientific process. Of course they're fire friend cheimstry ignited when they let more into their relationship. 

#thejockssecretobsession #studyincravingmybestfriendsbigone #turnedbythebully #evanbarnes #onlyoneroom #onlyoneroomseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Jock's Secret Obsession (Only One Room #1)

Here's Evan Barnes's "The Jock's Secret Obsession." It's the second novella in the Only One Room series, which are all novellas surrounding shared dorm rooms.

["For two years, my grumpy roommate was a wall of muscle and silence.

Darren Stenbeck, the college’s hockey god, barely knew I existed. I was the friendly, talkative and one hundred percent straight nerd who lived on the other side of the room.

Then I found his sketchbook.

The secret he’d been keeping wasn’t just his incredible talent. It was a filthy, detailed fantasy–with me on my knees, at the center of it all.

Now, a leaky ceiling has forced us into a single bed.

He’s spent two years looking at me with those icy eyes, but his art showed me how he really sees me. And the most terrifying part?

That drawing didn’t just expose his secret desires. It awakened my own."]

I love how soft Darren was...and yet he was still the stereotypical grumpy athlete, closed off and a little cold. He was so obsessed with his roommate, drawing pictures, protecting him, over-the-top jealous. It's just a dichotomy, and it might be a little toxic, but it's addicting. 

Another couple I could have read even more of. Nothing felt as if it was missing, nothing was too fast. I just wanted more.

#thejockssecretobsession #studyincravingmybestfriendsbigone #turnedbythebully #evanbarnes #onlyoneroom #onlyoneroomseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

His To Ruin (Years Between Us #2)

Here's Evan Barnes's "His To Ruin." It's the second novella in the Years Between Us series, which are all novellas surrounding age-gaps.

["He said I was too innocent. He was wrong.

He’s connected to my family and I’m supposed to be off-limits for him. But he’s watching me like a predator.

Rylan says I’m too naive for a place like Verdict, a decadent club where the only rule is that there are no rules. He thinks he needs to protect me. But his protection feels more like a possession.

When he drags me into a dark, private room to teach me a lesson, I expect a lecture.

Instead, his touch becomes a different kind of education. He shatters my world, awakening a raw, desperate need I never knew I had… a need only for him.

I walked into this club thinking I was straight.

Now, I’m on my knees, and he’s just getting started. He’s not just breaking the rules"]

There's something that's just extra (delicious, exciting, dangerous) about a brothers-best-friend trope. It's cliched, but it's never enough (I will literally never get enough of this trope--top five favorites). And this one was just as exhilarating and forbidden as you'd expecct.

Especially considering the setting. And how naive Theo really was (I mean, baby, it's clearly a sex club--at least on many of the floors). But he had Rylan there to take care of him...and take care of him. ;)

Oddly enough, with this brothers-best-friend book, I wasn't feeling as though I was missing something eevn though we didn't see the brother/best-friend confrontation. Maybe because this novella was more of a short story?

Trigger Warnings: dub-con, bullying-ish, and more.

#tamedbyhisbestfriendsdad #historuin #evanbarnes #yearsbetweenus #yearsbetweenusseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks