Goodbye, Janaury!

A few weeks ago, I told asked 2025 to be kind. So far, I gotta say, it really has been. Let's hope (fingers cross, knock on wood, spin around three times) that it's a good indication of what this year is going to bring.

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: 53 (might get one more in there before midnight though).

    (b) Monthly Reading Challenge(s): Shape = Polar Bear. Got some A-Z stuff recorded. Some ARCs. Got a LOOOT of Beat The Backlog done (go me!).

(2) January Memories: We finally got around to our family trip down to visit my sister (after it was delayed to to hurricane season being longer than usual--climate change). We went to a lot of really good places to eat food, hung out a lot, saw more manatees than I could count. Cleaned my grandma's place twice. Babysat some of my babes once. My friends and I went out to dinner..and then dessert. Good things are going on at work: I got promoted to full time AND I'm now the new Children's Programing Coordinator. Had some really productive days off near the end of the books (really racked up those reading totals--and random organization stuff).

(3) Posts this month (including this one): 43

(4) I've been mentally better to myself. Like all months, there are days/moments that are worse than others, but overall, I think it went really nicely. I was able to identify when I was feeling overwhelmed and needed a step back, and I did my best to listen to my mind. I didn't necessarily overindulge this month, but I didn't exactly watch what I ate either. I also didn't (yet) get into the physical side of being kinder to myself (maybe in February?). Annnnnd, I've been really good at telling myself that relaxing, reading, binging TV is an appropriate way to spend my time, that not every hobby has to have a tangible outcome. 

Anyone still holding onto their resolutions?

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

#newyearsresolutions #goodbyejanuary #hellofebruary #hello2025 #dontstopreading #makememories #shareloveofbooks #shareloveofreading #bekindertomyself #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Savage (Park Avenue Kings #1)

Here's Ella Frank's and Brooke Blaine's "Savage." It's the first 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 seven 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.

***

He’s the shadow they send to make problems disappear.

Lachlan Stone thrives in the shadows, ruling his world of secrets and power with savage precision. As the most lethal of the Park Avenue Kings, he can’t afford the luxury of attachments. But when a mission takes an unexpected turn, he finds himself saving Cooper Patterson—a determined journalist who stumbles into a dangerous world far bigger than he ever imagined.

Cooper is everything Lachlan should avoid: relentless, curious, and far too tempting for his own good. Worse, his profession threatens to unravel everything Lachlan and his fellow Kings have built. Yet the pull between them is impossible to ignore, even as it sparks a firestorm of desire and danger.

With enemies closing in and the line between truth and lies growing thinner by the second, Lachlan must choose: protect his secrets, or risk it all for the man who sees the humanity in his darkness."]

I loooooove how this book/series took all that was the Park Avenue Princes but multiplied it by the entire city of New York. They control everything behind the scenes, in the shadows, like little kings. They're dangerous and glorious in their power. And yet, Cooper had the power to bring a king to his knees.

Lachlan was GONE for Cooper the moment they met, even if it was far from a meet-cute. He was obsessive and protective and possessive and a little feral/cave-man about it all.
But, Cooper wasn't a whole lot better. He couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious masked man in the alleyway--or the CEO of a security business he met in a coffee shop (yeah, Lachlan made all the choices); as he loses one, he gets more of the other, all the while unaware that they're the same man (the same man willing to put everything on the line for him, even if he doesn't initially understand why).

These two were adorable as hell. There was so much fluff and Feels, so much spice and steam (soooo much), so much heart-eyes and fuck-me-eyes. They complimented each other, even if they were from different worlds. They bring out the best (and the worse) in each other.

Also, I loved how Lachlan (and the others) were sooooo concerned about what King would do/think/say, but King's boyfriend's were the ones to almost blow everything up first so...Think on that. Also x2, I want all of their stories now; all of these other kings making fun of and teasing Lachlan for falling for Cooper, just want until they find their own kryptonite. 

Trigger Warnings: drugs/laced-drugs, off-page overdose, violence, murder, and more.

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

January's Book Shape Challenge 2025

Here's January's Book Shape Challenge! An innocent little polar bear. Last year, I went with holiday-themed (mostly) book shape challenges; this year, I'm thinking animals (which is less--and yet more--of a challenge (we'll see how it goes)).

(I picked all of these books at random, based off the color of their cover; not based on: whether I read them or not--most of which I haven't, sense why they were closest).

#reading #readingchallenge #readingdare #bookdare #bookchallenge #alphabetchallenge #beatthebacklog #monthlythemes #monthlychallenge #bookshape #bookshapechallenges #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Dragon's Aide (Charmed Away Temp Agency #2)

My GOD. Amy Padilla utterly blew me away with her newest book. "The Dragon's Aide" is the second novel in her latest series, Charmed Away Temp Agency. 

["Isaac went against his family when he refused to join the military. He had dreams and he wasn’t going to cave to family pressure to give them up. So when his boss offers him an opportunity to get some real experience in the job he’s working toward, he leaps at the chance. The only problem is that his new boss is a grumpy dragon with a short fuse known to terrorize the office. But that wasn’t anything Isaac couldn’t handle. Right?

Maverick always had a temper. Most dragons did. It wasn’t something that affected his work. Until it did. Overworked, consistently dealing with incompetence, Maverick was at his wit’s end and in a last bid to keep his temper in check, he agreed with a recommendation to hire a temporary assistant to help him. But when the stubborn pink haired mage shows up, his dragon takes notice and suddenly, Maverick’s limited control has gone up in smoke. Now his career is on the line, and the only person willing to help him was the one who drove him over the edge. Things couldn’t get any worse. Right?"]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Grumpy dragons are impossible, Isaac takes shit from no one, Maverick loses his temper, angry sex, knots, teamwork makes the dream work, flying is awesome and Isaac wants more, bjs settle dragons, who knew?, telepaths are creepy, or are they?, never talk shit about a dragon’s mate, Isaac’s ideas are reckless, accidental bonding…maybe, two stubborn men fall in love, what could go wrong?, guaranteed HEA."]

Oh. My. Goddess.  

I'm obsessed with these two. Maverick was a grumpy dragon who didn't take care of himself and was generally a glass-half-empty kinda guy. Isaac is a happy mage who doesn't take shit from anyone and was generally a glass-half-full kinda guy. And as we all know, grumpy and sunshine makes the PERFECT match....eventually.

There were quite a few bumps along the way until they reached their happily ever after. And they had quite a few people trying to derail it, BUT they had even more people on their side, cheering (silently, no one wanted to say it to Maverick's face...except Taron) them on. 

Speaking of Taron, I cannot WAIT for his book. That little shit is adorable and trouble and sooooooo in for it when he finds his mate.

#theincubssassistant #thedragonsaide #charmedaway #charmedawayseries #charmedawaytempagency #charmedawaytempagencyseries #amypadilla #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

In Plain Sight (Legacy Mechanics #3)

I had caught up with all of my ARCs, requested a toooon more, and proceeded to avoid them. Oops. Here's Willow Dixon's "In Plain Sight." Its the third novel in her new Legacy Mechanics series (which is tied into her Crimson Club series) 

["Zander
The last thing I expect when I meet the new guy at work is for my life to be thrown into chaos. I’ve spent years hiding my attraction to men, but Luka is funny, outgoing, and for reasons I can’t explain, he sees past my introverted nature and wants to be friends.
I’ve never felt a connection with anyone like I do with Luka. He makes me want to open up and share the parts of myself I usually keep hidden. I don’t want to make things awkward between us, but the more I try to get over my feelings, the harder it is to stay away.
Just when I think my life can’t get any more complicated, I start chatting with a guy on an anonymous kink app. Sinbin might be a stranger, but he’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. But then again, so is Luka.
How did I go from never having guy trouble to wanting two men I can’t have?

Luka
Being the new guy at work isn’t easy. Neither is having a crush on one of my coworkers. Zander is quiet and shy, and doesn’t have the best social skills, but he’s also sweet and caring and one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met.
I’ve never known anyone like Zander, and the more time we spend together, the harder it is to only see him as a friend. I want him, but he’s straight. And to the outside world, so am I.
In a desperate attempt to get over my crush, I log into an anonymous kink app and start chatting with a man who doesn’t just rock my world but understands me in ways no one else ever has. I might not know what MrNiceGuy looks like, but he feels familiar, like we’ve known each other forever. But then again, so does Zander.
How can I be drawn to two men at the same time? And more how do I choose between them?"]

I almost dropped the book(s) I was binging to read this when it came through my email, BUT I managed to show (some) restraint. And then proceeded to take forever to read through it. Maybe to avoid the drama or trigger warnings. Maybe because I've been binge-reading so much lately. 

While the main/romance plot-line of this was a little trope-y, it was still sooooo good. These two were perfect matches for each other, online and in real life. Mutual crushes, mutual lust, mutual pining, mutual traumas (well, they both had traumas and anxiety, but they weren't match-y-match-y traumas), mutual reservations. They needed each other to be stronger leaned on each other and were able to strengthen themselves with the support of the other (that sounds more green-flag-y). 

AND I had no idea while reading the previous book ("It's Complicated") that it takes place during the timeline of this one, annnnnd it seems like they both take place during the same timeline as the next one ("Off Limits"--which is a stepbrothers romance (and Willow is soooooo great at those!!!)). So many HEAs. *star-eyes emoji* 

Trigger Warnings: religious trauma, homophobia, neglectful and emotionally manipulative/abusive parents, anxiety, and more.

#forewordpr #arc #arcteammember
#flippingthescript #itscomplicated #inplainsight #offlimits #legacymechanics #legacymechanicsseries #crimsonclub #crimsonclubseries #willowdixon #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

One More Time (Timeless #2)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's "One More Time." It's the second novel in her Timeless series.

["There's something about our new landlord, Alec.

Something that I can't quite place.

He seems familiar, but not. Like maybe I've seen him before.

And sure, he's attractive, strictly objectively speaking. I'm not into dudes.

But he has this intense, piercing stare that I can't look away from.

Eyes that make me feel like they can see right through me.

Like he knows all my secrets.

And I wish he would share them with me because sometimes I feel like I don't even really know myself.

But I do know one thing.

I take my responsibilities to my family and friends very seriously.

And when your best friend is gay, you learn to be the best straight wingman at the gay bar you can be.

And if you happen to hook up with a guy once in a while... well, it doesn't really mean anything.

It's just a good way to relax and unwind.

But when it's Alec who turns up, ready and willing to help me "relax", I know it's a bad idea but I just can't resist.

I tell myself just this once. It won't ever happen again.

Well, maybe just one more time..."]

Annnnd we've figured out why Jude is so adamant in claiming his "not gay" despite his bj hobby. Fuuuuuuck. The longer this whole thing went one, the more heartbroken I was. I was yelling at Jude (and Alec) through the pages, but no one listened to me. This book was red sooooo slow because it was just emotions ready to explode. I knew mutual heartbreak was on its way (and that Jude's nibblings might be collateral damage), and me sobbing.  

But when it comes down to it, this book turned a lot of stereotypes around (not many of which I can share without giving a lot away), which made these two even more perfect. And like the stereotypes, I can’t gush about them too much without giving plot away, but they just worked, even after they broke each other’s hearts. 

I reeeaaalllllly want an Ollie HEA.

Trigger Warnings: self-doubt/hate, major internalized homophobia, homophobia, bullying, and more.

#aminutemore #onemoretime #timeless #timelessseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Minute More (Timeless #1)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's "A Minute More." It's the first novel in her Timeless series.

["I'll admit I've never had grandiose plans for my future. I'm really more of a "take it as it comes" sort of dude. But making minimum wage at a small-town sandwich shop wasn't exactly what I had in mind after college graduation either. It may not be an exciting life, but it isn't so bad. At least I have my amazing coworkers and friends who always try to make the workday fun.

Everyone, that is, except the new guy, Simon.

That guy is not fun. He's broody and silent, but I can tell that something interesting is brewing just under his surface. Day after day I try to get his attention, try to coax him out of his shell. He won't even look at me, let alone talk. It's making me a little crazy, if I'm honest.

I don't even know why I care—I'm not gay. But there's just something about him that draws me in. He's become this mystery that I need to unravel.

Until one night I get a small peek behind Simon's mask—a shared kiss, just a minute in time, and then it's gone.

I don't even know what to think. All I know is I need more.

I want all the hidden parts of him.

I don't understand this obsession, this need.

And I'm afraid that there isn't much I wouldn't do for just a minute more."]

This reminded me a lot of Whit and Caleb. Broken, gay boy with impossible feelings and even more impossible "obligations". Dude-bro jock suddenly and completely whipped (and not so straight).

I loved the seamless transition (Wes's) from "I just want to be his friend" to "I just want to own him." It was glorious and crazy fast. But it worked for them. For the most part.

Also, love that we're putting mental health above a rushed romance..for them. For me, I almost hurt myself trying not to sob. Seriously though, I could have done without all of the Feelings and tears and waffling (sadly, not literal waffles)...but without all of the grief and the secrets and the waiting, they wouldn't have been them.

Trigger Warnings: drunk driving (not MCs), alcoholism (not MCs), death of a loved one, greif

#aminutemore #onemoretime #timeless #timelessseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Loving Leo (Behind The Camera #4)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's and Nicole Dykes's "Loving Leo." It's the fourth novel in their Behind The Camera series.

["I probably shouldn’t be in someone’s office that I don’t know, filming content for my site, but I quite like the view it affords me, and I really like that leather chair.

I like it even more when the owner of the office turns out to be my grumpy, buttoned up boss, and he catches me in the act. Literally.

He’s not happy about it, but he doesn’t leave, and I don’t stop.

Suddenly, he’s around all the time. Watching me. Taunting me. Teasing me.

It soon becomes a game. A game only we play.

We are opposites in every single way. He can never be seen with someone like me, and I will never be enough for him.

But the more we are around each other, the more I want to give him.

Maybe we can see where this leads if our hearts don’t get broken first."]

Another not-as-straight-as-he-thought man falling for our camboys. Ridiculously fast and possessive and adorable as hell. 

Heath needed Leo in his life. He was too serious, too structured, too sad. He needed light and life and laughter. He needed to have space to be himself, a support system to let go. Leo gave him that and soooo much more.

And Heath gave Leo comfort and love. He gave Leo support and structure. He gave him a future, in more ways then one.

I WANT A JAKE AND ASHER STORY!

#reachingreed #becomingbennet #discoveringdamon #lovingleo #behindthecamera #behindthecameraseries #corarose #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Discovering Damon (Behind The Camera #3)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's and Nicole Dykes's "Discovering Damon." It's the third novel in their Behind The Camera series.

["I know most would probably describe me as a little uptight, unwilling to change, set in my ways…

But the truth is, I just like my life the way it is—simple and predictable. I have everything I need—good friends, family close by, and my automotive business that I’ve built from the ground up.

I’m proud of the life I’ve made in this quiet small town. Nothing needs to change.

At least, that’s what I believed up until the day Damon Deveraux, a lively and bold little whirlwind of a man in lip gloss and short shorts, saunters into my life and changes everything.

He captivates me with his bubbly charm and adorable clumsiness, and suddenly we’re fast friends, spending all our time together.

But I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m just so confused.

Because I’ve never fixated on another man’s pouty lips before.

I’ve never obsessed over the curve of another man’s body.

I’ve never desired the feel of another man curled up against me.

And when I discover Damon’s camboy site and—accidentally on purpose—subscribe to his live show, all bets are off.

Because for the first time, I’m realizing that maybe the sweet, sassy boy next door is everything I never knew I needed."]

AHH! Damon is the dramatic one of the bunch (though Jasper and Carter are close seconds/thirds), so of course he'd end up with someone like Tomas.

Tomas who claimed (in chapter three) that 32 was too old to have a sexual awakening/identity crisis. Oh, you poor, not-so-straight man. You reeeaaally didn't know what hit you when you met Damon. And then Damon just kept being...Damon, and Tomas couldn't help but fall. Again, you poor, not-so-straight man. ;)

Honestly though, these two were adorable. Could have done with a little more communication (don’t they all?) and prevented some of the tears (there’s and mine), but they had support systems to help push them back together. 

#reachingreed #becomingbennet #discoveringdamon #lovingleo #behindthecamera #behindthecameraseries #corarose #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Becoming Bennet (Behind The Camera #2)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's and Nicole Dykes's "Becoming Bennet." It's the second novel in their Behind The Camera series.

["I cannot stand Bennet Montgomery.

His rugged hotness knows no bounds and his unwavering cheery disposition is maddening. How can someone be that happy all the time? His smile infuriates me.

I need to keep my distance from this man and all his Midwest charm. I have my camboy career to focus on and I can't afford to get attached or bogged down with his nonsense.

But when Bennet receives devastating news about his mother, his grief consumes him.

I don't know what to make of this new sad side of Bennet. All I know is that his teary eyes infuriate me even more than his smile. I need to get his stupid smile back.

So that's how I wind up accompanying him home to his tiny town in rural Kansas.

And let me tell you, this California boy is not cut out for a land where fruit salad has marshmallows and where you're just as likely to be eaten by a feral cow as you are to be chased down by an angry rooster. *Shudder*

The worst part is, Bennet and I are forced to share one bed in a cramped trailer. And as I try my hardest to comfort this man who I can barely call a friend, I wonder if maybe that flutter in my chest isn't just heartburn. Maybe I can allow myself to get swept up in him...just for a bit.

That is, if a rogue tornado doesn't sweep me away first."]

“I cannot stand Bennet Montgomery” aka “If I let him and his handsome as fuck body near me again, I’ll fall in love.” Basically the same thing. ;) 

I fucking loooooved these two. They were utterly perfect (and just fell so damn good together). Everyone saw it (even the cow (and the rooster)). They were fire in front of the camera, but they were cotton candy behind it. 

Also, it’s such a stereotype (I think…what do I know, I’m a country girl) to have city boys have such a fear of “murder cows”, and yet, I’m here for it. It never fails to crack me up. HOWEVER, I agree with Jasper about the tornado not being "just a little wind." And that there needs to be more fruit and vegetables in a country diet (even if I'm personally not a great fan of vegetables). 

Even though I knew Jimbob wasn't for Bennet, I was just as irrationally upset as Jasper (EVEN THOUGH, I also knew that Jimbob gets his own book/HEA eventually...not with Bennet).

Trigger Warnings: mentions of past parental neglect/toxicity, medical emergencies, and more.

#reachingreed #becomingbennet #discoveringdamon #lovingleo #behindthecamera #behindthecameraseries #corarose #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Summoned

This book has been on my socials for DAYS. I'm sure its just an algorithm thing, but I'm here for it. Here's Shae Ruby's "Summoned."

["Halloween night has always been a fun time, but this year it was just full of bad decisions. When my friends and I left the party and sat around a Ouija Board in a dark room, we thought it was all fun and games. It quickly turned into something much darker, deadly, and permanent.

This is what happens when you don’t say goodbye.

After a string of deaths, I find myself in an impossible situation. Choosing between my friends and myself.

Who will be condemned?"]

Those algorithms did NOT disappoint. At all. 

This story was dark as dark (like fucked up dark—like borderline Amazon can’t have it on their side dark), but it was glorious. So many red flags (all of the flags) but when it’s true love, it's (in a book) worth it.

Now to continue to binge Cora Rose before I get too off track (and I can binge more Shae another day).

Trigger Warnings:murder, con-non-con/dub-con, blood play, demonic possession, off-page death of family members, and more.

#summoned #shaeruby #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Reaching Reed (Behind The Camera #1)

There are too many new books, new-ish books, old-ish book, and older books to pick from (far too many). So I decided to cross off more backlog from my list (or slowly cross off an author from my to-binge list). Here's Cora Rose's and Nicole Dykes's "Reaching Reed." It's the first novel in their Behind The Camera series.

["Reed Ellis is absolutely gorgeous, but a total newbie to camming, a virtual nobody in my world.

I should have just deleted his message request for a steamy, on-camera collaboration. Not everyone is cut out to be a camboy. But there’s just something about him I couldn’t resist.

He’s timid and inexperienced, quiet and closed off, but his fumbling first-times play out scorching hot for the cameras, and our videos together are an instant success.

I know I should just ride this out, sit back and watch the money roll in, and then move on.

But I can’t. I’m intrigued by this brick wall of a man. I see glimpses of Reed hiding behind his silence and he is struggling. He has secrets, someone he cares about that he’s protecting. And I make it my mission to get him to open up and let me in. What will it take to reach the elusive Reed?"]

Fuck, this book was a riot of emotions. These two with all of their feelings (and Feelings), the angst, the steam, the secrets. FUCK, the secrets. I expected a little bit of the off-page stuff that Reed alluded to, but not the big one. 

And all of the emotions and trouble and complications that secret brought in? Seriously, I cried. A few times. That secret was worth the tears (and the bump in their relationship--that almost made me cry), but wow. 

Reed and Carter though? They were so mutually possessive (it was adorable). They were sweet and spicy and perfect for each other. It wasn't easy, but they had a support system to get them through it. 

Trigger Warnings: parental abandonment, past (off-page) mentions of child abuse, and more.

#reachingreed #becomingbennet #discoveringdamon #lovingleo #behindthecamera #behindthecameraseries #corarose #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring? (Mobster Mayhem #2)

Another day, another ARC. Here's Aria Clark and JF Miev's "Who Said Witness Protection Was Boring?". It's the second novel in their Mobster Mayhem series.

["MATTHEW
It was supposed to be a quiet night of gaming. But then the power went out. No biggie—it happens here in Queens.
So, I went to grab food. That’s when everything went to hell.
My house was attacked. My aunt handed me a mysterious box, told me a code phrase and sent me running into the night to a secret meeting spot. There, I was supposed to wait for the call.
It came. Oh, did it. And with it a giant masked man who claimed he’s here to save me.
I tried to fight him—I’m suspicious by nature. But the only big thing about me is my mouth.
And besides, once he explained everything and took off that mask?
Yeah, you bet I’m seducing that hottie.

KIERAN
Code Molniya. I never expected to hear that name again. But on the night it happens, I’m ready for it. It’s my only chance to get to the bottom of my parents’ accident and I’m not letting it slip.
They were CIA agents like me, and there is more to their death than the Agency is willing to share.
So, I must take things into my own hands. And that includes the sassy, conspiracy-loving disaster of a witness that I get tasked with protecting. He’s shameless, a handful, and a bit crazy. He’s the first man I find cute. And he believes me. So, when he offers a trade that benefits us both, I don’t think twice.
The only caveat? The CIA can’t know what we are up to or we’ll both end up in jail."]

Kay, listen. You can claim to be straight all you want, Kieran, but that entire first chapter of your POV was basically about Matt’s pout and how confusingly adorable he was. And his eyes/hair. So keep telling yourself you’re not attracted to him (and his sass). 

But really, these two were adorable as hell, both enamored from the very start, protective as hell, and soooo soft for each other. They were partners in crime and best friends (and soul mates). 

I love how silly and over-the-top it was, how slightly unrealistic it was. It was filled with action and mystery and friendship. It was beautiful. 

Also, took me FOREVER (and more) to figure out the connection between the first book and this one. Kieran already spoiled it (a few times) before I fully connected all the dots. I'm calling the it's-been-a-while card.

Trigger Warnings: brief non-graphic flashbacks of past trauma (home invasion), violence, guns, death of loved ones, and more.

#booksirens #arcs #arcteammember
#whosaidmobsterswerescary #whosaidwitnessprotectionwasboring #whosaidexecscouldntbehexed #jfmiev #mobstermayhem #mobstermayhemseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Not So Over (Not So #2)

Tooo many options on reading at the moment, so why not read another quick novella? Here's Ashley Rayne's "Not So Over." It's the second book in her Not So series.

["What if he’s not the one who got away?

Parker
I knew the minute I broke Marcus’ heart—and my own in the process—that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. But try telling that to the anxious voice in my head, telling me I’m not good enough or how bored he must be with me. I’d give anything for a second chance with him, or at the very least, a chance to apologize. When my best friend’s destination wedding gives her the chance to play ‘match re-maker’ with her brother and me, will he finally listen to what I need to say?

Marcus
One minute, I was looking forward to a future with my soulmate and the next, I was devastated by him ending things with no explanation. He’s tried to call and explain what happened, but I’m not ready to hear. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be ready. Unfortunately, my twin sister is his best friend, so we’re going to be around each other for the next week. A supposed reservation snafu—that has Kendra written all over it—has me forced to share a room and the only bed in it with him. With my plan of ignoring him now impossible, am I finally ready to hear what he has to say?"]

Another adorable addition to Ashley's collection. 

It was equal parts love and pining, heart and heat. It was about second chances and starting over. It was about trusting yourself, your heart, and your soulmate. 

In my opinion, it did focus a little too much on the anxiety, but anxiety is a bitch so, who knows what anxiety would make someone do.

Trigger Warnings: on-page anxiety attack and more

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#notsocasual #notsoover #ashleyrayne #notso #notsoseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Not Catching Love (Accidental Love #5)

AHHHHH!!! Here's the fifth and final book in Saxon James's Accidental Love series: "Not Catching Love."

["Xander
There’s something seriously wrong with me.
For once, I’m not talking about the health anxiety that randomly pops up and wreaks havoc on my life. I'm talking about, well, everything else.
All my roommates have found someone to love them, and it hurts to see the guys who used to have me at the center of their worlds pair off and grow up, especially when it’s a reminder of everything wrong with me. I’ve always had an issue with relationships. With forming a connection with people outside of Seven, but this is more.
Because I want to find my someone.
Except the one person my brain has latched onto is the one person I can never have. The one person who’s there to help me when my panic attacks get too much.
Nurse Derek.

Derek
I should never have offered to treat Xander Moore.
And now here I am years later, my life on hold, while I wait day in and day out for the call that Xander needs me. It always comes, and I always answer, but I’m starting to dread those visits.
Lately, I’m looking at Xander in a way a medical professional should never look at their patient.
When Xander starts volunteering at the same nursing home that I do, I get to see a new side of him. The artistic, charismatic side that draws the residents in. I get glimpses of a man who’s so much more than his anxiety, and it does nothing to help my feelings for him.
When lines begin to blur, I have no choice but to stop treating him. That at least allows us to be friends. The only problem is, being friends isn’t enough for either of us.
It’s wrong, unethical, and unprofessional, but my heart won’t listen. It’s decided on Xander, and it doesn’t want to wait. Neither does Xander.
But if I want to keep my job, I have to resist.
I just wish he didn’t make that so difficult."]

This book was a looooooong time coming. We all knew and foresaw this romance from the very first book in the series. That didn't make it any less heartbreaking.

I mean seriously, did Saxon have to make us cry THAT much! By freaking god. Sooooo many tears (now I'm congested and my eyes hurt).

But their love story was (while devastating) epic and glorious and worth the pain (and so many tears). It was denotation and dedication and obsession on all of the levels, healthy and slightly codependent (okay, reeeaaally codependent). It was push-and-pull, hurt and comfort.

It was also, overall, about bettering yourself, loving yourself. They say you can't fall in love until you love yourself (which is bullshit), but these two tried...well, they were both beyond the like scale in Part One (yes, you know a book is heart-wrenching if there's parts), but the more they let themselves love themselves, the more they loved each other.

Awesome, amazing ending to a fabulous series (all of which made me at least tear up, if not full-on cry now that I think about it).

Trigger Warnings: past traumas, abandonment, neglect, childhood abuse, trauma dumping, severe anxiety attacks, Xander's opinions on mental health and psychologists, and more. 

#forewordprandmarketing #arcs #arcteammember
#thehusbandhoax #notdatingmaterial #therevengeagenda #justbromanticallyinvested #notcatchinglove #saxonjames #accidentallove #accidentalloveseries #puckboys #puckboysseries #upinflames #divorcedmensclub #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Mad for Madison (The Boy of Hudson Burrow #4)

I stopped reading a book because it was making me cry too much. Here's hoping Hayden Hall doesn't do the same. Here's "Mad for Madison." Its the fourth and final novel in his new series: The Boys of Hudson Burrow.

["Madison Masters is everything I want to be.

He’s confident, good-looking, and beyond popular. Wherever he appears, he’s the center of attention. It’s his natural charisma that pulls every gaze to him. Mine especially.

I have been in love with Madison since the moment I met him. The only trouble is he has no clue that I exist. Sure, he shoots me a smile when I pour him a drink, winks at me like we’re in on a joke when he flirts with guys right in front of me and does unspeakable things to me when I am all alone with nothing but imagination and free time. But he doesn’t know me.

And even if he knew me, it would never work.

I’m the father of a little troublemaker, the happiest accident of my life, and Madison is…not family material. I know his secret. I know where his popularity and money come from. I know what he does in hotel rooms when cameras are on and when the show begins.

We can never be together. We are worlds apart. We’re like two pieces of vastly different puzzles.

But when Madison Masters urgently needs a nice, anonymous boyfriend for an evening, there’s no better choice than the invisible old me. And as the night of work turns into the most magical date of my life, I soon forget we’re only pretending to dance, smile, and flirt.

If only my stupid heart wouldn’t beat so fast. If only Madison weren’t so convincing. If only we didn’t follow this fantasy all the way to his hotel room.

If only he didn’t ruin everyone else for me in a single night of unrestrained passion…"]

Well, I did cry a little bit, but I wasn't full-blown sobbing (which I still see coming in the other book I have open). Then again, this series (and Hayden in general) is really good at that third-act-break-up cry.

These two were adorable and devoted and awe-struck. Neither thought they were good enough for the other, neither thought they deserved (or had time for) love. But they let themselves try anyway. 

Like Bradley said, life isn't about what you deserve, it's about what you fight for and what makes life worth it.

And I'm still over here yearning for a Lane and Oakley book, especially after the developments that took place in here.

Trigger Warnings: toxic ex, past parental abandonment, minor homophobia, and more

#thecinderellaprince #romeovsromeo #beautyandthebillionaire #madformadison#theboysofhudsonburrow #theboysofhudsonburrowseries #haydenhall #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

My Inherited House Might Be Haunted

When you have too many books to choose from, naturally, you pick a novella that just came out today. Here's AJ Sherwood's "My Inherited House Might Be Haunted."

["Rhett’s inheritance of the gorgeous Victorian house was expected. What was not expected:

Two familiars
A house full of ghosts
Magic powers?!
A new boyfriend, maybe, possibly, please and thank you.
Now if he could just figure out how to handle everything, life would be peachy."]

And the official tags (because they're the freaking best): ["ghosts, multiracial romance, familiars, Insta Love, Haunted House, Magic Realism, Mythical Creatures, HEA, everyone wants a Brownie, all the magic, technomage, cat distribution system at work, oh look a puppy!, honestly the whole story is just fluff"]

Honestly, the whole story is just fluff. In perfect AJ Sherwood style. It was adorable and quirky and slightly insane, but sooooo sweet. There's so much heart and soul in her work. And just the right amount of spice. ;) Plus some magical beings that just want their people to be happy and cared for.

#myinheritedhousemightbehaunted #ajsherwood #devonvesper #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

With This Ring (Opposites Attract #1)

Here's R.S. McKenzie's "With This Ring." It's the first book in her new series, Opposites Attract. 

["Carter Whitlock

Family means everything to me. I’ll do everything I can to keep them safe. That includes marrying my enemy.

Kaison St. Clair has been a thorn in my side for years. When we see each other, we either trade insults or blows. I hate everything about him. If it were up to me, I’d stay far away from him and the entire St. Clair family.

But someone is after both our families. The only way to keep everyone alive is an arranged marriage with my enemy to combine the might of the St. Clair’s and the Whitlock’s.

Life with Kai is supposed to be about winning the war we found ourselves in, not love and emotions. But somewhere down the line, he gets under my skin.

And I’ll do whatever it takes to make him mine in more than name."]

This two were fucking amazing. Sooooo much anger and hatred for seemingly no reason. And then it just exploded.

A few times.

A few different ways.

These two were also just as sweet and caring as they were dangerous. It was equal parts "touch him and die" and "he's the sun, and I'm obsessed." THIS is why I love dark romances (especially mafia romances). It's such a dichotomy, and its perfect!

Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, murder on and off page, torture on and off page, homophobia (no slurs used and not between MCs), and more.

#gayromancereviews #arcs #arcteammember
#withthisring #oppositesattract #oppositesattractseries #rsmckenzie #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Bro Pact (Best Bros Forever #1)

I'm (sorta) caught up with ARCs, so here's to crossing things off my TBR list(s). Here's Charli Meadows's "The Bro Pact." It's the first novel in her Best Bros Forever series.

["Kyle
I had my entire future mapped out, which is exactly how I prefer things—organized and predictable. Law school, marriage, two-point-five kids, and a white picket fence. Nothing extravagant, just a little family of my own, and a place to call home.
But life has other plans when my long-term girlfriend dumps me at the end of freshman year, and I’m left feeling empty and rejected.
Luckily, my best friend, Warren, is there—like he always is—to make me smile and laugh, distracting me with his latest wild idea. And this one might just take the cake.
He proposes a pact—no girls this summer. Just bros for three whole months.
And I accept.

Warren
When my best friend and I find ourselves burned by the opposite sex and moping around a bonfire in his parents’ backyard, I take it upon myself to better our situation.
I fix up an old RV, and we start the summer with an epic road trip to the Pacific that I’m hoping will repair his broken heart. But Kyle keeps creeping on me, stealing shy glances that roam my body and make me feel things I shouldn’t.
It turns out this bro pact is a lot harder than either of us anticipated, and it’s pushing us together in ways we never imagined. Ways that have us questioning just how deep our bromance truly goes."]

I love how these two fell into this...thing between them mutually. It was mutual second-glances, mutual confusion, mutual horniness, mutual pining, mutual Feelings. It was equal, even if it didn't seem that way to them. It was soft and beautiful and inevitable. 

And of course it started with dares. Well, it started by accident, but it was fueled by dares (and alcohol) (and mutual, off-the-charts chemistry).

Though they did make me cry..

Trigger Warnings: brief flashback to parental abandonment, minor internalized homophobia, and more.

#thebropact #bestbrosforever #bestbrosforeverseries #charlimeadows #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Frat Wars: Royal Scoundrel (Frat Wars #0.5)

Here's "Royal Scoundrel!" It's the prequel novella to Saxon James's Frat Wars series, and its the story of Charles's dads.

["DASH

Archibald Levine the third is a pain in my ass. Rich, cocky and the closest thing to a prince that our school has.

I hate everything about his entitled attitude and the stupid Kappa crown he wears.

I also hate the gigantic crush I have on the guy.

One night, backed up by the courage of tequila, my mouth gets away from me and I offer him the one thing he can't stop thinking about.

Me.

On my knees.

Because Archibald Levine also has a secret, and one kiss between us seals his fate.

The fling between us can never go anywhere, not with his powerful and homophobic father, but we don't let it stop us from indulging at every opportunity that we get.

I also don't let it stop me from falling stupidly in love with the guy.

He's always made it clear he can never come out and I know we're destined for destruction.

After all, happily ever after doesn't exist between a prince and a scoundrel"]

These two were utter perfection! Neither wanted to admit how obsessed they were (or how addicted they were (ooorrr how in love they were)). They were just adorable and perfect and sassy. 

They became best friends (after being almost enemies (and then hesitant friends)). They struck up a deal in which they both knew would only end in heartbreak. And then I cried.

Trigger Warnings: homophobic parents and more. 

#royal scoundrel #fratwarsroyalscoundrel #fratwarskingofthieves #kingofthieves #fratwarsmasterofmayhem #masterofmayhem #fratwarspresidentialchaos #presidentialchaos #fratwars #fratwarsseries #saxonjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hidden Confessions (Quick Bites #2)

Here's Gen Blackwell's "Hidden Confessions." It's the second novella in her Quick Bites series.

["The rumor around the office is that Finn and I hate each other.

I let everyone think it’s true . . .

Even if it’s not.

Sure, he drives me up the wall, and I’m certain I do the same to him. We’re like two lions battling over the same territory—the coveted partner role at the law firm. It’s kill or be killed.

But beneath the clever retorts and relentless competition there’s something else, something I’ve refused to admit. It’s dirty, shameless, and it has everything to do with Finn.

Now Finn is leaving the firm, having landed a new opportunity in another state.

I see this as my chance to drop the pretense. No more hiding how I really feel about him. A part of me knows I might never get this opportunity again if I let it slip, so I plan to tell him tonight, at the farewell party.

The problem is, I don’t know if I’m about to do the right thing or make the biggest mistake of my life."]

These two were adorable!

Feeling a little :| that its Happy For Now and not Happily Ever After, but its a novella (which is basically a oneshot) so it makes sense. But I did really love these two.  

I can't wait for the next few editions in the series.

#booksirens #arcs #arcteammember
#hiddenfeelings #hiddenconfessions #hiddenintentions #quickbites #quickbitesseries #genblackwell #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hidden Feelings (Quick Bites #1)

Another day, another ARC. Here's Gen Blackwell's "Hidden Feelings." It's the first novella in her Quick Bites series.

["Having a massive crush on your straight roommate is the definition of bad life choices.

But here I am, hopelessly falling for Derek Garner, my best friend, and the one guy I shouldn’t want but can’t stop thinking about.

It’s not just his stupidly perfect smile or the way his laugh makes my chest ache. It’s how he’s always there when I need him, how he somehow became the most important person in my life. And yeah, it’s killing me.

He’ll never see me that way, and I’d never risk screwing up the one good thing we’ve got.

At least, that’s what I thought . . . until the party.

There was a dare. We kissed.
And now, everything’s different."]

A little cliched but still so freaking cute!

That's about it. It was adorable and open, and they communicated (mostly). They worked.

I can't wait for the next few editions in the series.

#booksirens #arcs #arcteammember
#hiddenfeelings #hiddenconfessions #hiddenintentions #quickbites #quickbitesseries #genblackwell #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

His Prince (Unexpectedly Twisted #2)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "His Prince." It's the second novel in her Unexpectedly Twisted series.

["All my life I’ve waited for my fairytale romance. Sheltered by my protective father and confined by the dangers of his mafia legacy, I’ve saved myself—my heart and body—all these years for this very moment…

Deadly handsome and charming, Mikhail Ivanov, strikes a deal with my father for my hand in marriage, ensuring my safety and building an alliance. And I thank my lucky stars Mikhail is everything I’ve ever dreamed of, his sweet mouth whispering sins and promises—that I’m his little prince, his angel.

But when the wedding ends and I’m left with a barren wasteland of secrets, lies, and broken promises from the man I trusted, my dreams suddenly become a living nightmare I can’t escape.

I should have known all along that fairy tales aren’t real, just as my dear husband should have known that even angels will get their revenge."]

That last line in the blurb made me giggle. Good for you, Angelo, my sweet but devious boy. "Well, fool me once. But twice? I'll burn the fucking world down." Yas!

But, my god, did you make me cry. I knew you would (both of you--mostly Angel and his heartbreak/betrayal/confusion), but fuck. I honestly would have sobbed dramatically through the whole thing if I hadn't been in the living room (or let myself breathe while reading). So when Mikhail said "My little Angel has devilish horns, it seems. There is fire and brimstone behind that golden halo he wears so confidently." I giggled again. Because fuck yes, he does. 

But my heart melted a little when Mikhail called Angel "little devil." It's soooo different from when he called Angel "little angel," but both nicknames fit him soooooo well. Speaking nicknames, Anglo has a loooot in this, and I'm here for it. 

Again, not here for the sheer amount of times I cried.

Still suuuuuuuch a great book!

Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, death, and more.

#thesilencer #hisprince #theenforcer #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Silencer (Unexpectedly Twisted #1)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "The Silencer." It's the first novel in her Unexpectedly Twisted series.

["When a little harmless flirting at a biker bar suddenly takes a turn for the worse and I find myself at odds with the dangerous Fallen Aces gang, I call on the only man I know who can save me.

Anthony Costello may be a vicious mafia boss with a penchant for violence and torture, but he’s also my best friend’s father and the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. His buttoned-up demeanor and grumpy attitude only fuel my desire to take him apart. I live to push all his buttons. And though he says he’s straight, it seems Anthony may have a soft spot and possessive streak for this smart-mouthed twink. Because as war between rival gangs escalates, things between Anthony and I start to heat up. And I think I’d rather like to sit on the king’s lap to watch it all burn."]

Oh wow. Just wow. 

I expected the novel to open up with Tatum getting in trouble, but I honestly didn't expect the trouble to be so violent and so descriptive. But at the same time, it's a dark romance. And Anthony raised fucking hell for what they did to him.

These two were something else. Tatum was in lust with Anthony from the very start (from before this book). Anthony was...confused and hesitant. He knew that Tatum was different, that he meant something to him, but Anthony refused to define what that was. If Tatum wasn't as strong and stubborn as he was, it could have crumbled very early on (I nearly cried quite a few times as their relationship developed).

But Tatum was strong as fuck and stubborn as hell, and Anthony could only handle so much before his defenses burned to the ground. Everyone around them know what they meant to each other, but it took them (Anthony--and Tatum realizing Anthony's feelings) a while to figure it out.

And there is soooooooo many characters who need their own story, their own messed up romance, their own HEA. Literally soooooo many body guards and side characters and torturers and friends and Angelo. Angelo, you're going to make me sob; I just know it. Honestly, Bane probably will, too. And Teddy.

Trigger Warnings: violence, physical assault, drugs, exhibitionism, bondage, kidnapping, detailed torture, dub-on, blood, and more.

#thesilencer #theprince #theenforcer #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Ben (Unexpected #8)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Ben." It's the eighth and final novel in her Unexpected series.

["It’s often said that everything is impossible until it’s done.
And while I’ve always known my infatuation with Cash and Ford was meant to remain an unfulfilled dream, I never really lost hope.
Hope that the two men, twice my age, would ever see me as more than just a kid. As more than just their best friend’s son.
But I’m not a kid anymore, and at twenty-one, they’re about to see that little meek and quiet Ben is old enough for many things. Old enough to finally attract their attention. And frankly, old enough to know better. To know that these stolen touches and lustful trysts behind closed doors could never really amount to more.
Because everything will crumble as soon as Cash, Ford, and my father find out what I’ve been up to. That I’ve been keeping secrets from them all.
I can’t possibly keep them both.
I can’t keep them at all.
I know our love is impossible.
But, god help me, when has that ever stopped me?"]

THIS BOOK!!! 

It was an emotional rollercoaster of wanting, guilt, craving, caving, more guilt, tears (mine), confessions, friendships, and HEA. It was beautiful and poetic and just...right. They all clicked. It wasn't exactly simple, but it might as well have been.

AND we got some serious sneak peaks at the first Unexpectedly Twisted book!! 

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Diablo (Unexpected #7)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Diablo." It's the seventh novel in her Unexpected series.

["After my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, it only made sense to put my skills to good use as a personal bodyguard. The contracts keep me moving and traveling, and the money is good. All I’ve ever wanted was to make sure my mother and sister were taken care of after my father passed away. So when Anthony Costello, the notorious mob boss and my dad’s ex-employer, asked me to take on a special job for his family, I couldn’t say no.

But not even my six-year stint as an elite Marine could have prepared me for the hellscape that is being trapped in a secluded safe house with his son. Diablo Costello is a rude little chaos gremlin that lives to push all my buttons. I can’t keep him safe if he’s determined to fight me every step of the way. But I can see through the bratty facade. I know what Diablo needs. What he longs for. And God help me, I’m going to give it to him."]

"Rude little chaos gremlin." This guy? The guy who brought multiple (yes, multiple) electric saws to intimidate a lady. The guy who is like a mini-hurricane of crazy and flirty and strange (remember his Cheeto-scented den promiscuity). Noooooo. Not Diablo. 

Parts of this were serious will-they-won’t-they. Parts were both parties being entirely too stubborn. Parts were steam coming off the page. They won’t conventional by any means, but they made it work (eventually).

Parts of this definitely qualified as a dark romance where some was a little too contemporary romance. It waffled a bit, but it worked (mostly). 

Trigger Warnings: violence, dub-con, consensual non-consent, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Colin (Unexpected #6)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Colin." It's the sixth novel in her Unexpected series.

["Colin
I’ve devoted my life to my son, always putting his needs first, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Becoming a father was the best decision I’ve ever made, but hell, single parenting is difficult. I’m so tired of holding everything together. I need a partner, someone to share my life with. I miss intimacy and passion. I want someone who will take charge and help me let go of all this control I cling to. But an endless string of bad dates and rejection has me feeling like maybe love will never come for me. Maybe a father is all I’m meant to be in this life.

Ethan
My next-door neighbor is infuriating. He’s intelligent and flirty and just so bloody gorgeous. Why are Americans so cheerful and loud? I hate him. I could not hate him more. But what began as a reckless feud between competitive neighbors, has somehow morphed into an attraction I can’t ignore. I feel unhinged around him. I want Colin. I want him so badly it hurts. But he has a kid—an inquisitive, bright little boy who is just as charming as his dad. And the hard truth is, Colin can’t afford to take a chance on me. I don’t do commitment. Not anymore. Not since my ex. And a stubborn, set-in-his-ways prat like me isn’t cut out to be a father, right?"]

We've been waiting for Colin's HEA since book two. And this was utterly perfect for him. Enemies to lovers is awesome, ESPECIALLY when one is British and one is a Revolutionary History professor. It adds all kinds of fodder to the sexual chemistry. 

Exhibit A: "'Did you know Paul Revere was an amateur dentist and an artist?' Ethan asks suddenly, and I blink over at him. Okay, is he trying to get me to suck his dick again? Because that's how you get me to suck a dick. I am a total whore for historical facts."

And, like the rest of the series, these two made me cry. Thanks for that.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Lex (Unexpected #5)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Lex." It's the fifth novel in her Unexpected series.

["Some people come into your life with the power to challenge everything you thought you knew about yourself.

Lex is chaos personified.
He’s strange and alluring. Unpredictable and unique.
He drives me wild in a way I’ve never experienced.
I’ve never felt desire like this and now I find myself craving his touch and wanting him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.
I know I shouldn’t trust him though.
Lex wants something from me and my family.
He watches me through hidden cameras, stalking me like prey.
But his voyeurism excites me. I want him to watch me, catch me, consume me.
I am his obsession and he is my madness.
And together, our absurdity somehow makes perfect sense."]

Lex is even more fucking unhinged in his own book than he evvvver was in the previous books. He's snarky and insane and soooooo soft when no one is looking. So of course, when he finds mr-buttoned-up-virgin-accountant, he falls in love. I mean, who else is good enough for our Lex (and Cora mentioned many times in the beginning of this book about the copious amounts of wine she drunk while writing Lex..which makes a lot of sense). His (not exact) quote of the day: "I didn't have parents. I never learned to share" (in correlation to William and...just William (okay, and Brenda)).

And that one plot twist (that, I mean, sure, we all saw coming) was soooooo not okay. I haven't cried like that in a long time. Rude.

To reiterate, Lex is (a lovable) crazy-person. And he keeps claiming that Diablo is worse, which, okay, he is (I can't fucking wait for Diablo's book--especially if this is where the connection is to the Unexpectedly Twisted series (I looooove me some dark romance))).

Trigger Warnings: foster care, past parental neglect/abuse, stalking (not the mutually consensual kind), loss, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Luke (Unexpected #4)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Luke." It's the fourth novel in her Unexpected series.

["They say love comes from the most unexpected places; I found mine hiding in my bushes from the cops.

My life before Luke was a carefully structured routine. It was predictable and organized, just the way I like it. Some would call it boring, but I call it smart self-preservation, and if there’s one thing that could threaten to bring it all crashing down, it’s Luke van Beek.
He swept into my world like a tropical cyclone, all hot and chaotic, and tore down my safeguards.

Now I can’t seem to rid myself of this charming, larger-than-life, ridiculous man. He’s invaded my personal space, my mind, and my bed.

He’s tempting me in ways I haven’t been tempted before and I’m going to have to teach him a lesson about what happens to naughty boys when they misbehave.

But can my last remaining boundary, the wall I’ve built around my heart, withstand the man who lives to break all the rules? Either way, it seems, my life after Luke will never be the same."]

I gotta say, I fucking love the van Beek boys. They're chaotic and messy, but they're loyal as fuck and fierce protectors. Even if they have a penitence for fire and explosions and going-to-fast vehicles they built themselves (no one said they were sane...or refined). But Elliott's sisters weren't all that better. ;)

And I LOOOOVE the brief glimpses we got of Elliot and Luke in the previous book (all of the previous books had moments of tease for upcoming relationships, but this one was something else). Their meet-not-cute in here was perfect and totally them.

These two were beautiful. A mix of Sem/Mag and Caleb/Whit. But all their own. Beautiful and devastating and supportive as fuck. It was glorious. Even though I cried (quite a lot). 

Trigger Warnings: brief mentions of transphobia, gaslighting/toxic ex, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Emery (Unexpected #3)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Emery." It's the third novel in her Unexpected series.

["I know this is wrong, but I can’t help myself when it comes to him.
My mom deserves to be happy after losing my dad to tragedy over a decade ago. But her blissful new relationship comes with a catch.
His name is Emery, my new stepbrother, and he’s the most infuriating, impulsive, chaotic, and strangely intriguing man I’ve ever met.
I’ve managed to avoid him for a year but then on our way to our parents’ cabin, we get lost alone in the snowy mountains of Utah.
That’s when pretenses and boundaries between us start to slip and fall away as we focus on survival. I begin to see the charming and sweet man he is. And maybe all the wild and ridiculous things about him that used to irritate me, are what make him truly perfect."]

I'm sooo obsessed with step-brother romances. One of my top favorite romance tropes. Especially when it's as explosive as these two. And so fucking sad. 

This series has a formatting theme that the title character doesn't get all that many POV chapters (though this one did have a lot), but the ones they do get are incredibly insightful (and heartbreaking). When we met Emery in the last book, I knew he'd made me sob. He deserves sooooooo much (at least August finally sees that as well).

When you expect to cry when character E gets their heartbroken, but you don't expect to outright sob when character A get's their heartbroken. Thank you, Cora. Also, Cora said this story started out darker, and I'm not here for it (this had plenty of dark ass emotions, thank you very much).

Trigger Warnings: brief mention of past sexual abuse, parental neglect, foster care system, PTSD, anxiety, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Sem (Unexpected #2)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Sem." It's the second novel in her Unexpected series.

["Sometimes your dream guy isn’t who you think he is.

Sem has been stalking me for months. He shows up everywhere I am and lurks in the background, his eyes always on me. I don’t understand his fascination with me, but he won’t leave me alone.
He’s definitely not my type. He’s too big, too reckless, and too feral.
But then one night he breaks into my apartment and dares me to do something crazy and I can’t say no.
Then I do it again. And again.
Now it seems we’re both addicted to this secret little game.
But when I begin to see the man beneath the brutish exterior, will falling in love prove to be the most reckless bet yet?"]

These two were something else. It was animosity and dares to heart-eyes all around. It wasn't easy for them (it might have been with a little more communication), and everyone saw how in love they were, but it took some time to get on the same page. And me almost crying. Again. 

And once again, Sem's few POV chapters were heartbreaking and beautiful.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, homophobic language, mild violence, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Whit (Unexpected #1)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Cora Rose's "Whit." It's the first novel in her Unexpected series.

["Straight guys don’t have crushes on other dudes, right?

Except my roommate, Whit, is intriguing, and I find myself watching him constantly. He’s a mystery I can’t figure out. And these feelings I’m having about him are confusing.
Then, one night, I find myself wrapped around him, and after that, I can't get enough.
But Whit has secrets. He doesn’t let people in, and the more I fall for him, the less I know.
I can't let him go, though.
Until I realize I’m going to be the one broken at the end of our story."]

I looooove dual POVs because you get the full-picture, but I also reallly love single-character POV books, because you can infer what the other person is feeling/thinking, but you don't know for sure (and the narrator sure as fuck doesn't know--at least with many of these single-character POVs (Caleb (the adorable himbo he is) didn't know what he was feeling let alone what Whit was feeling)). It adds to the suspense, but it also adds to the humor (and angst--curse the angst). And the very few Whit POV chapters we do get? They eviscerate my heart. 

And these two eviscerated my heart. I sobbed, quite a lot actually. 

This romance was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. I can't wait for more. 

Trigger Warnings: mentions of depression, self harm, suicide attempts/ideation, past child abuse, manipulative parents, and more.

#whit #sem #emery #luke #lex #colin #diablo #ben #unexpected #unexpectedseries #unexpectedlytwistedseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Dared (LSU #4)

Catching up on a series you started a while ago counts as Beat the Backlog and TBRs (it does). Here's Becca Steele's "Dared." It's the fourth book in her LSU series.

["When I discovered that my online gaming friend was Leo Evans, a student from my university, I had no idea how much my life would change.

On paper, we’re complete opposites.
He’s a shy computing student and I’m an outgoing footballer.
Yet there’s an undeniable connection between us.

Despite our differences, he’s become my closest friend, and I'm on a mission to make him see himself the way I see him.
So I’ve been daring him to do things to get him out of his comfort zone, to prove to himself that he’s capable of so much more than he thinks he is.

Then…Leo turns the tables on me.
He dares me to kiss him.
It’s supposed to be for practice.
But then it happens again.
And again.

It started with a dare.
It wasn’t supposed to turn into something more…"]

I kept seeing ads for this book, which prompted me to catch up on the series itself. Oh, boy. I saw the ads and teaser quotes and the tropes, but I was NOT prepared for this. For Leo and Finn. Holy shit; these two.

These two were utterly fucking perfect for each other. Their friendship was deep and strong and powerful as hell. And when they moved on to spicy dares?! Holy fucking hell. The heat level of these two was off the charts (even if they didn't talk about the status change of their friendship).

Trigger Warnings: social anxiety, panic attacks, and more.

#collided #blindsided #sidelined #unwrapped #ignited #tempted #dared #matched #lsu #lsuseries #beccasteele #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks