Beastkin (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #3)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Beastkin" by Blake R Wolfe. It's the third novel in his Widdershins Supernatural Academy series. 

["A cursed Beastkin. A witch born of fire. A bond neither of them expected… and a love too dangerous to ignore.

Beastkin aren’t meant to fall in love with witches. That’s what the world tells me. My kind carries a curse—once human, now creatures of claw and fang, feared for a past drenched in war and betrayal. At Widdershins Academy, I’m the monster they all pretend not to watch.
Except for him.
Phoenix Emberwood—the boy who was once my best friend. The boy I lost when his family ripped him away. He’s back now, fire magic at his fingertips, stronger, sharper, and looking at me like he’s trying to decide if he still knows me at all.
I’ve only ever been with women. I never questioned that—never questioned myself. But when I see him, when I smell him, something inside me shifts, something primal and undeniable. It’s impossible. It’s forbidden.
And I want him anyway.
Loving Phoenix means turning my back on everything I know. It means facing a world that would rather see us apart—if not dead. But I’m not sure I can walk away. Not this time.

I never thought I’d see Karrick again. I never thought I’d return to a world where witches whisper warnings about Beastkin, about the creatures who were cursed for a reason.
But here I am, and there he is—bigger, stronger, impossible to ignore.
My family says I should stay away. The academy says I should know better. But my magic doesn’t listen. It flares every time he’s near, like it knows him, like it’s reaching for something lost.
I tell myself he’s just a childhood memory. I tell myself I don’t care. But when he looks at me, when our bodies collide in fleeting touches and unspoken confessions, I feel it.
The bond. The pull. The fire waiting to consume us both.
Giving in to Karrick means defying my family, my coven, the very laws that keep our world from falling apart. But maybe the only way to change history… is to burn it down."]

These two were fucking adorable! I love the flashbacks and the memories and the utterly strong reaction to seeing each other again. All of the moments of fluff and rightness. It was beautiful and adorable. Best friends to lovers, with some minor detours. 

Plus our favorite tetrad making some appearances to save the day. 

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

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

Faeheart (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #2)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Faeheart" by Blake R Wolfe. It's the second novel in his Widdershins Supernatural Academy series. 

["A sheltered witch. A reckless Fae. A bond they never wanted… and a passion they can’t escape

Rules? I don’t follow them. Hearts? I don’t keep them. I live for the chase, for the thrill of taking what I want and leaving before anyone gets too close. As a Fae, passion is my power, and at Widdershins Academy, where magic pulses in every shadowed corridor, I have my pick of lovers.
Then there’s Elias Thorne.
Sweet, quiet, untouchable Elias, the witch with too much potential and too little confidence. He’s the only one who has ever dared to look at me like I’m dangerous instead of desirable. The only one who doesn’t melt under my charm. And for some reason, that makes me want him even more.
But Elias isn’t interested in my games. He sees through the mask, past the wicked smirk, to the part of me I don’t want to acknowledge. And that terrifies me.
I don’t do commitment. I don’t do love. But Elias is different, and I can’t tell if he’s my greatest weakness or my only salvation. When a magical accident binds us together, things get dangerous. Because at Widdershins Academy, witches and Fae aren’t compatible, but now that we’re bound together, neither of us has a choice.

I’ve spent my life hidden behind spellbooks and expectations. The son of a prestigious coven, I was raised to be polite, reserved, and obedient—everything Wild is not. He’s reckless, untamed, a storm wrapped in silk and sin. And he infuriates me.
He pushes, I retreat. He flirts, I ignore. But somehow, Wild always finds a way under my skin, testing my patience and my control. The worst part? I think he enjoys watching me unravel.
Then on our first day back, a wild magic accident binds us together in ways neither of us understands. Now, his magic calls to mine, a pull that’s impossible to resist. Every touch is a spark, every glance a challenge, and the more I fight him, the more I realize… I don’t want to.
Loving him means risking everything—my magic, my future, my heart. But as whispers of war spread through the academy, I begin to what if Wild is the only one who can teach me how to fight back?"]

I loved how they were so different, and yet, deep down, they were nearly the same. They both wanted freedom and acceptance and love without obligations/expectations/strings. And the soul recognition?! On top of literally everything else?! D: End me. 

This book was so much more than the first novel It exceeded all expectations and predictions. It shocked even the Elder Council. It was glorious in this history and power and presence and connection. It was beautiful, in so many fucking ways.

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

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

Hexmate (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #1)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Hexmate" by Blake R Wolfe. It's the first novel in his Widdershins Supernatural Academy series. 

["A witch without power. A werewolf with everything to lose. A forbidden love that will change it all.

Being a werewolf and the star of the wrestling team means my life is all about control—control on the mat, control under the full moon, and control over my emotions. I’ve spent years perfecting it. But then I met Caden, and all that control started to slip. He’s a witch without magic—or so everyone says—but there’s something about him that draws me in. He’s got this quiet intensity, a spark that feels more powerful than any spell I’ve ever seen.

But in a place like Widdershins Academy, where bloodlines and magical purism rule, witches and werewolves are not supposed to mix. The rules are clear, and breaking them could cost me everything—my pack, my title, and even my future. Yet, every time Caden looks at me, every time he brushes against me, it feels like the world shifts, and suddenly, those rules don’t seem so unbreakable. I can feel his soul calling to mine and when I finally get up the nerve to kiss him, I know I won’t be able to stop.

Caden:
I’ve spent my whole life feeling like a failure. Born into a legacy of pureblood witches, I should have been powerful, but my magic never came. In a world where worth is measured by power, I’ve always been on the outside, trying to blend in and failing miserably. And then there’s Atlas.
He’s everything I’m not—strong, confident, and untouchable. But somehow, he sees me, really sees me, in a way no one else ever has. When he’s near, it’s like I’m more than just a powerless witch. But I know better than to hope. He’s a werewolf, an alpha, and everything about our world is designed to keep us apart.
When a cruel prank leaves me stranded in the woods during a deadly snowstorm, it’s Atlas who finds me. He saves my life, his wolf instincts guiding him through the snow, but the storm traps us together in an abandoned cabin. There’s no escaping the truths we’ve been avoiding, and as the fire crackles, we give into the instincts we’ve been denying for too long. In those intimate moments, I see the vulnerability he tries to hide, and for the first time, I believe I might be someone he truly needs.
But the storm is only the beginning. When a magical attack threatens Widdershins Academy, we’re thrust into a battle bigger than either of us. As purists tighten their grip on our world, we’re faced with an impossible defy the rules that divide us and risk everything for the love we’ve found or let the system win and tear us apart before we’ve even had a chance."]

My GOD was this adorable as fuck. It was mix of fate moments and true love, which are magical as fuck on their own, mixed with real magic. Plus all of the fluffy moments and the protective moments. It was softer possession. It was also a connection to self and earth/nature and found family.

The angst was just enough to keep you reading and keeping you on the edge of your seat but not enough to make your chest ache or your heart race. And, spoiler alert, the angst wasn't between Caden and Atlas (not really). Watching them fall for each other, and then fall into the safety of loving each other, was beautiful. It was comfortable and confidence-boosting. 

I honestly can't wait for more!!

Trigger Warnings: threats of violence, violence, borderline blackmail/definite coercion, toxic parents, attempted assault, bullying, discrimination, and more.

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

Lust (Saints and Sinners #1)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Lust" by Devon McCormack. Its the first novel in the Saints and Sinners series.

["LUKE

I've never been attracted to guys.

I definitely would never be attracted to a privileged, cocky bastard like Brad Henning.

Even though I've only been at St. Lawrence University for a few weeks, this prick and his friends are on a mission to mess with me—a scholarship kid who I guess they don't think belongs at a prestigious school intended for the nation's elite.

I've always been a loner, so I've dealt with my share of bullies. But unlike the bullying I encountered when I was younger, Brad and his friends have some unusual tricks up their sleeves.

They're using...

I don't even want to name it, but it's the only explanation for what's happening.

Magic.

These guys have powers, and Brad is using his to make me want him.

No—not just want him. Lust after him like I've never lusted after anyone in my life.

The way I crave him sears to my core, causes physical pain until I have the only thing that brings relief—his touch.

But when I discover that whatever he's done to me hurts him too, I realize there's more to all this than Brad and his friends trying to mess up my life.

More to it than these feral urges that are, at times, more than I think I can bear.

I have to get to the bottom of this, but until I do, there's only one way to end my agony.

I must surrender to the lust."]

This book went in so many directions. And not in a bad way. It was unique and exciting, even if I couldn't predict what was going to happen next. 

Though I was really rooting for this two. A lot. Obsessively. And Cody. Not so much Seth, but I do recognize that he had good intentions. 

I love the mix of paranormal and supernatural with the fated loves and found family and the-power-chooses-you and karma/evolution. It was different than anything I've read before, but it wasn't too off-the wall. It was understandable while not being too explanatory or info-dumpy-y.

Though be forewarned, this book is a HEA for the couple but a HFN for the series...more spookiness to come..

Trigger Warnings: past parental deaths, anxiety, mild violence, mild bullying, and more.

#lust #fever #wrath #saintsandsinners #saintsandsinnersseries #devonmccormack #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Alpha Boss' Baby Service (Babies for Broken Dads #5)

Here is Anna Wineheart's latest: "Alpha Boss' Baby Service." It's the sixth 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).

["Twin Buns needs help. To revive his dwindling bakery business, alpha wolf Titan comes up with a new Selling his own "cream filling."
Surprisingly, the Baby Service is a hit. Orders start pouring in, almost too many to fill.
Then everything goes Both of Titan's arms are injured, and his cream production grinds to a standstill.

Enter a single dad adrift with his baby, needing shelter and protection.
Titan hires him. But Mathlin is keeping secrets; there's something strange about his baby.
Not to mention Mathlin's constant disappearances.
It doesn't matter. As soon as Titan's arms are healed, Mathlin will be on his way.
Just that Titan's instincts keep Mathlin needs to stay."]

I flipping LOVE this series. All of the stories are unique and awkward and lovely and sweet and spicy and just...crack. It's all pure crack. 

And fluff. SOO much fluff. Plus some bad pick-up lines (some really creative bread/baking puns...soooo many) and helpful (and not-so-helpful) family members (and community members) and time acting right on time and fated moments and magic (of all kinds).

These two were perfectly adorable. Titan with his need to provide and comfort and care. Mathlin with his need to feel wanted and wanting to contribute. Titan with his baked goods and...helpful family. Mathlin with his vomit-mouth and sweet smile. They're perfect for each other; some people saw it right away, some people had to be hit over the head with it.

Trigger Warnings: past creepiness by bad guy, past captivity, violence, and more.

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

This Might Hurt

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "This Might Hurt" by Riley Nash.

["One second can change everything.

I met him on the worst day of my life—the desperate boy with a gun and the most brilliant smile I’d ever seen. We saved each other’s lives and then walked away, because a hitchhiking criminal and one of the richest men in the world can’t possibly be made for each other.

I’m a void, silenced by my power-hungry family and pushed into an arranged marriage like the obedient pawn I am. I’ve given up hoping for anything more.

He’s an uncontrolled explosion, a lost man with a shattered moral compass who would do anything for redemption. He refuses to give up hope, even if it breaks him.

So when I come up with a wild, impossible revenge plan, there’s only one person I look for. One person unhinged enough to say "yes" when I ask him to marry me and ruin my family’s business deal. He can teach a good boy how to do bad things. He already owns me, body and soul.

The problem is, we’re both too broken to know when to stop. Our hearts are damaged and possessive and foolish. Now that we’re in too deep, I realize we only have one chance to build the kind of love that rewrites the damage they passed down to us."]

Well that did hurt. It hurt many times and many ways, and I probably would have cried more if I had let myself. And the complicated part, it wasn't tragic, it wasn't overly sad, it wasn't trauma/triggers/baggage/grief. It was loneliness compounded with an aching hollowness and un-medicated mental spiciness. Which maybe hit a few too many of my personal lows. 

But these two found solstice in their missing, jagged pieces in the other. Those broken pieces matched each other. Their darknesses reached out to each other. They were able to carry each other's baggage and bandage each other's trauma. 

All the while messing up a few times. But the utter sweetness of it all. And codependent spice and probably toxic levels of cuddles.

The moment of clarity when they first met? How the universe shifted back into place? How their very souls rewrote themselves? All of the yes. 

Trigger Warnings: suicidal feelings and intent, untreated mood disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, unhealthy coping mechanisms, emotional abuse, past physical abuse, parental rejection/abandonment, intensive hospital care, threatening with a gun, irresponsible gun safety, verbal threats of violence, and more.

#thismighthurt #rileynash #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Candy Hearts: Volume 3 (an LGBTQIA2S+ Charity Anthology)

Here's Candy Hearts, an LGBTQIA2S+ Charity Anthology. This is the third volume. (All proceeds will benefit the Rainbow Railroad, which helps LGBTQIA2S+ people get to safety worldwide.)

["What’s sweeter than a low angst queer romance at Valentine’s Day? How about twenty-one of them in one anthology to help support a good cause?

Each novella in Candy Hearts, volume 3, is overflowing with red-hot romance and all the good feels. This volume is full of “meet-uglies” and bad first impressions. What’s more satisfying than a happily ever after that started on the wrong foot?"]

I haven't read the entirety of either anthology, instead choosing to focus on the authors I've read in the past; when I have time (ha!), I hope to go back and read the rest of the short stories from these anthologies! I read 45% of this book, including: "Always This," "Love Thy Neighbor," "Grounded," "The Weekend Boyfriend," "What the Heart Wants," "All I Want Is You," and "My Demon Boyfriend."

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Favorite Story: 

Favorite Relationship:

I Want More Of:

#candyhearts #candyheartsvolume3 #candyheartscharityanthology #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks