Ravens Never Fall (Willow Lake Supernaturals #0.5)

Here's "Ravens Never Fall" by Lori Ames. It's the prequel novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["Oak thought he’d finally found a place to belong, but he didn’t find home until he met Mercer…

Mercer

I’ve always wanted to leave Willow Lake, but since my parents got sick and need my help to keep our family business going, I’m stuck here. This little town might seem nice, but with several local wolf shifters around, who would love nothing more than to drive the rest of us supernatural beings out of town, it isn’t exactly a magical Mayberry.

Everything gets worse when the wolf pack alpha and his mate unexpectedly die, especially when the tragic accident may not have been an accident at all.

This should be the perfect time to convince my parents we should all leave town, right?

There is only one problem with that, and his name is Oak. The big, gentle wolf shifter saves my life when I fall from the sky and into his arms, and now I’m questioning everything I thought I wanted.

But with some members of his wolf pack out to get us, will we survive long enough to find out if we could be mates?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM paranormal romance, fated mates, magic, Mercer loves shiny things, Oak loves Mercer, big insecure wolf shifter, small impulsive raven shifter, so much sparkle, hurt / comfort, finding home, sparkly nipple piercings, sometimes dreams change, sometimes dreams come true."]

I read the first book before I read the prequel, so many things had been spoiled already for me. But still, this book was beautiful. There was angst, but there was still also that immediate feeling of I-want-more-of-him, of-this. It was magical.

This book also set up a nice foundation for the series (as did the first novel). We saw many of the future MCs, ten-ish years before the series started and their stories started. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, magical bomb, threats of sexual violence, attempted abduction, attempted murder, patricide and matricide off-page, threat of fratricide, gunshot wounds, bullying, and more.

#ravensneverfall #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hellhounds Never Lie (Willow Lake Supernaturals #1)

Here's "Hellhounds Never Lie" by Lori Ames. It's the first novel in her Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["A mage without magic. A hellhound without a home. A greedy wolf pack in the hills.

Ash is technically a fire mage, but he can’t do much. Turning his bedroom lights on and off without having to get out of bed isn’t exactly awe inspiring, not when anyone with the right gadget could clap and do the same thing.

Worse, sometimes he senses something bigger and brighter lurking under his skin, and it feels so familiar he knows it has to be his magic, but then he burps or sneezes, and the feeling passes. So it’s probably just allergies… or gas.

Yeah… Not exactly brimming with magical oomph. Not anymore.

It sucks.

But things start to change when he finds Dillon, a hellhound, being chased through the woods by an angry wolf pack. He is instantly smitten and it’s like something inside him unlocks. What’s even crazier is Dillon seems to think Ash still has magic… and now Ash isn’t sure what to believe.

What he does know is he’ll do what needs to be done to protect his friends and the little supernatural town of Willow Lake from the dirtbag wolves in the hills. Even with his magic on the fritz he can help, right? And, with Dillon at his side, what could possibly go wrong?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["a hellhound looking for a home, a fire mage without magic, a talking cat, a small town full of supernatural beings, size difference (BIG hellhound, small mage), fated mates, Ash has scars inside and out, Dillon wants to hurt people who hurt Ash, Ash is always cold (hello, big fluffy pink sweaters even in summer), and a curious human BFF who knows nothing about supes but has a very active imagination."]

YESss! This book was everything! A village of found family, everyone so different and so kind all coming together for peace and happiness, creating their own little pack in a tiny, quirky town. It was warm and welcoming from the very first page. There was also just sooo much history there, you felt it seep between the lines. 

Not to mention the instant connection between these two. They both felt it deep in their bones--that rightness, that safety, that protectiveness and possession--even if they didn't realize what it was at first. Their chemistry only grew as they grew closer together, as they got to know each other, as their broken pieces matched. 

I have a feeling I will be flipping obsessed with this town/series very, very soon.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, mention of murder, attempted murder, violence, hospitalization, gun wound, past partner abuse, past parental abandonment, and more.

#ravensneverlie #hellhoundsneverlie #wolvesalwaysbite #oraclesalwayswin #catsneverfly #alphasneverhide #loriames #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Losing My Rejection (Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves #2)

Here's Blake R Wolfe's "Losing My Rejection." It's the second novel in his Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves series. 

["I’m not into men, but my new werewolf boss is growing on me in ways I can’t deny. Can I come to terms with my attraction and win him back after I rejected him?

Josh
As a new rogue werewolf, Shifter Grove is my only option for sanctuary. The moment I step inside that small town, a complete stranger calls me his mate. I’m not into men or weirdos, so I send him packing. I need to get my life back together and get out of this nowhere town. So when the hotel owner gets me a job at a local bakery, I accept without question.
As soon as I open the bakery door, I see him, the wolf whom I rejected. He’s the owner of the bakery and my new boss. I need the job, but I’m wary. However, as we start to bond over our love of food, a strange attraction begins to develop, leaving me utterly confused.

Andy
The moment I see him, I know he’s my mate. Tall, handsome, and an Alpha to boot. I can’t help the words that slip out of my mouth. It’s no surprise he rejects me on the spot, and I know I’ll never see him again.
But when that wolf turns out to be my new baker, I can hardly contain my excitement. The way he oozes passion when he talks about cooking has me hooked. Josh is everything I want in a mate. The only problem is he’s straight. But I can’t seem to give up on him, even though I know it’s hopeless."]

Okay but like...what Andy said wasn't all thhhaaat offensive. It was blunt (and gay), but wasn't offensive. Though, in his defense, his life had just exploded (again) and he was experiencing some serious bi-panic (and internalized homophobia). 

These two were adorable though. All of the patience and kindness and secret fluff and cooking as a love language (I’m hungry now). 

I love how the Mate moments are instant, but the couples in this series take their time falling in love. Granted, the other shtick is the instant rejection, so we have to build back up to the HEA. 

I was thinking series feels a little lesser to me, like it was missing something or just overall very dramatic. But I’m coming off another dark romance binge, so I think I’m just used to everything bad all of the time and solving our problems with grunts and violence.  

Trigger Warnings: toxic parents, homophobia, some internalized homophobia, mention of past parental death, 

#becauseyourejectedme #losingmyrejection #semirejectedlife #rejectmebabyonemoretime #thatsthewayrejectiongoes #shiftergroveroguewolves #shiftergroveroguewolvesseries #blakerwolfe #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Because You Rejected Me (Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves #1)

Here's Blake R Wolfe's "Because You Rejected Me." It's the first novel in his Shifter Grove Rogue Wolves series. 

["Homeless and nursing a broken heart, I rejected my mate the first time he spoke to me. A hunky alpha werewolf in a cowboy hat is my fantasy come to life. But is it too late to reel him back in?

Matt
I was kicked out of my pack and my home after I told the alpha's son I loved him. He broke my heart and told everyone my secret. Now I'm a rogue wolf with nowhere to go. That is, until I hear rumors of a rogue wolf hotel in a small town up north. It's a place where wolves like me can go to get back on their feet, and I need all the help I can get.
However, the moment I arrive, some douchebag in a cowboy hat calls me his mate. I lay into him, calling him every name under the sun and telling him he was the last person I'd ever be with. When he stalks away with his tail between his legs, I'm sure I've seen the last of him.
But then I end up being forced to work on his farm to earn my keep.

Ace
I've been in the small town of Shifter Grove since I was seventeen, and despite a rocky start, it’s been a peaceful life thus far. However, the day Matt rolls into town, that peace is shattered. The moment I see him, my heart begins to pound, and I blurt out "mate" before I can stop myself.
He tears me a new one, and honestly, I don't blame him. But I can't stop thinking about those perfect lips of his or the way those shorts hug his body. For the first time in my life, I want to share my heart with someone and I'm pretty sure he hates me.
However, when Matt is sent to work on my farm by the hotel owner, I realize that this might be my second chance to prove myself."]

These two were adorable! It was flirty and fun, it was sassy and sweet, it was love and little moments of magic (literal and figurative). There was some angst, but it was all justifiable and not necessarily entirely between the two of them. 

A town filled with found family and friends and utter support from every corner. A hotel owner and "foster dad" with a heart of gold and a penchant for meddling. I can't wait for more!

Trigger Warnings: toxic parents, homophobia, stalking, mild violence, and more.

#becauseyourejectedme #losingmyrejection #semirejectedlife #rejectmebabyonemoretime #thatsthewayrejectiongoes #shiftergroveroguewolves #shiftergroveroguewolvesseries #blakerwolfe #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Always the Villain (Vitale Brothers #6)

Here's Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow's "Always the Villain." It's the sixth and final novel in their Vitale Brother's series. 

["Cesare Vitale

Man. Myth. Legend.

Or at least that’s how the world views me.

They’re not wrong; I would give anything to take back my throne. To have power again. Even if it means breaking all of my already weak familial ties.

Until I meet the one man that makes me pause.

Raphael is everything I have never wanted to admit I crave. Someone who sees the monster and still wants me just the same. But there's more to Raphael than meets the eye. Can he be trusted?

In the midst of Vitale chaos I’m forced to ask myself something I’ve never doubted before. What's more important?

Power? Or love?"]

I waited sooooo long for this book to come out. Counted the days. Then it was here, and I just...couldn't. I wasn't ready for the eventual betrayal and hurt and tears. I wasn't ready for the heartbreak and confusion and violence. It took me a while to get there.

These two were...a lot. Tense and non-trusting and hurt/comfort around every corner. There was pining and cruel words and angst and hidden fluff. It was all so beautifully torturous. It was just..so much. It was a struggle, and I did cry a lot, but in the end, almost too late, everything ended more than well. 

Still, Benito and Harlow will always be my favorite. These two were a close second. 

Trigger Warnings: gore, blood, violence, torture, death, light stalking, dub-con, manipulation, death of a parent, past child abuse, trauma, homophobic remarks, and more.

#takemeapart #paidinfull #sayido #neversaynever #mafiabreakin #enditall #alwaysthevillain #vitalebrothers #vitalebrothersseries #breaalepoú #skylersnow #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Duskborn (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #4)

Here's "Duskborn" by Blake R Wolfe. It's the fourth novel in his Widdershins Supernatural Academy series. 

["A forgotten witch. A dark elf prince. A bond written in the stars… and a love forbidden by the crown.

I was born into destiny—the Twilight prince with white hair and violet skin, heir to a kingdom that never lets me forget who I am. At Widdershins Academy, I’ve tasted magic, sports, friendships that let me pretend I’m just another student. But as my senior year comes to an end, so does my time.

The crown is waiting. So is the bride chosen for me. A woman I’ll never love. Because I don’t love women—I never have.

And then Ash Vale appears.

A quiet witch from a family so low they’re barely remembered, with eyes like sapphires and magic he doesn’t even realize is extraordinary. He shouldn’t matter. He shouldn’t even exist in my world. But the first time we touched, I knew—he’s the one I called to me years ago with a forbidden childhood love spell, the one fate promised would be mine.

He’s everything I want. Everything I can’t have.

Loving him means betraying my family, my kingdom, and the crown itself. But I’m not sure I can let him go. Not this time.

Witches like me aren’t meant to be noticed. I came to Widdershins to build a future out of scraps, to prove I could belong despite my tarnished family’s name. I never expected him.

Silver—a dark elf, popular, beautiful, carved from another world. He should be nothing but a reminder of the gulf between us. But when his gaze lingers on me, when his hand brushes mine, the truth is undeniable.

We’re bound.

I don’t know how. I don’t know why. But my magic flares for him, my soul reaching like it’s been waiting all along. And that terrifies me. Because Silver belongs to the Twilight Realm, to a throne that will never accept someone like me.

Giving in means daring to love the impossible. But walking away feels like tearing my own heart in half."]

I love how devastatingly adorable this series is. Each book is all so unique while maintaining the same general awe of fated mates, the same adorable sense of falling in love, the same you're-more-powerful-than-you-know magic. Not to mention all of the the-world-will-end-because-of-you, Council needs called drama. 

These two were adorable. You could just see them falling in love from that first meeting and hating that they haven’t met on campus before this, all of the little moments and the big moments, all of the silly teasing from friends, all of the deep talks. All of the self-sacrificing. 

Trigger Warnings: toxic parents, discrimination, violence, torture, and more.

#hexmate #faeheart #beastkin #duskborn #undertow #nightbound #evergreen #hearatflame #blakerwolfe #widdershinssupernaturalacademy #widdershinssupernaturalacademyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Judas (Sacriligious Love #2)

Here's E Baileu's "The Judas." It's the second novel in the Sacriligious Love duology.

["The day the Covenant falls, Elior’s world shatters. Torn from the only life he’s ever known, he watches as the FBI raids the compound, his father’s voice thundering over the chaos—condemning him as sinful, as a whore, as Judas the Betrayer.

For the first time, Elior is free.
So why does it feel like a nightmare?

Outside the compound walls, everything is different. Elior finds himself drowning in a world that doesn’t feel like his own. Everything is too loud, too bright, and too confusing. His only constant is Jace, his Daddy.

Jace who lied to him. Jace who betrayed him. Jace who held him and comforted him.

Nothing makes sense anymore."]

I wasn't quite ready to read this one after I finished "The Idol." There was a loooot of feelings of betrayal and abandonment and isolation and desperation and loss that I just wasn't ready for. 

These two were just as cute as the first book. Just as dedicated and protective. Just as sweet and spicy. They were so in love, just trying to make it through more troubles and trials (literally and figuratively). 

Dark and unethical and awkward at times, over the top and totally possessive. Baileu's books are always a great read when you want something not to logical. 

Trigger Warnings: religious themes, cult dynamics, distorted interpretations of faith, manipulation through faith, harmful uses of doctrine, involuntary inpatient hospitalization resulting in food avoidance/weight loss/trauma-induced bed wetting/depression, MC with sensory needs, noncon and dubcon, psychopath, unhealthy power dynamics, and more.

#theidol #thejudas #sacriligiouslove #sacriligiousloveseries #ebaileu #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks