Goodbye, February

February was eons long. I'm not even kidding. It took FOREVER--and yet, it's the shortest month of the year. But we did have false spring two and winter returns three, so there's that.

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

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

(2) February Memories: I went full-time officially and worked my ass off, learning even more new things and putting myself out there. My best friend had her baby shower. Got my oil changed. So not so much happened this month, but that's also not a bad thing.

(3) Posts this month (including this one): 26.

(4) I still haven't been kinder to myself physically, but here we are. I did have a few not-so-great depression days, but it was particularly gray and bleh this month. Here's to more sun in March?

Anyone still holding onto their resolutions?

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

#newyearsresolutions #goodbyefebruary #hellomarch #hello2025 #dontstopreading #makememories #shareloveofbooks #shareloveofreading #bekindertomyself #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Protected (Kensley Panthers #5)

Once again, the sheer number of TBRs has overwhelmed me. So why not start something completely random. Here's Nicole Dykes's "Protected." It's the fifth book in her Kensley Panthers series.

["Zachary Olson
I screwed up. Big time. I hurt someone, and I hate myself for it.
I’m barely eighteen and already completely exhausted. Tired of being haunted by secrets and guilt.
My biggest regret, though, is keeping it all from Adam—my best friend, teammate, protector. My everything since I can remember.
And how do I repay him? By keeping these secrets locked up inside. Secrets I know would destroy us.
But I’m not sure how much longer I can do it. No matter how catastrophic the consequences.

Adam Bates
He won’t talk to me.
He’s never kept secrets from me before. We’re both quiet guys who keep to ourselves. But that’s never applied to each other.
I know something is wrong, but my best friend has shut me out.
How can I keep him safe if he won’t talk to me?
All my life, I’ve taken on this role—doing what’s right, no matter what. Watching out for everyone, on and off the field—especially Zach.
And I won’t fail him now, when he needs me more than ever.
Because this is who I am and what I do . . .
I’m the protector"]

I've been waiting for these two FOREVER..or at least what feels like forever. I'm obsessed with best friends to lovers, plus the I'm-in-love-with-my-best-friend trope, and the protector trope. All of the tropes and cliches really.

Plus some angst and trigger warnings and me crying (which sucks because I already have a cold, so yay). Nicole Dykes is much like Cora Rose in the way that all of their books are beautiful and moving and glorious, but they make me cry.

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, small town and smaller thoughts, sports based homophobic 'jokes', parental abuse, alcoholism, death of a parent, and more.

#keeper #guarded #defender #rivaled #protected #kensleypanthers #kensleypantersseries #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Limitless (Squad Goals #5)

 

I SHOULD be taking this time to catch up on incoming ARCs instead of catching up on new TBRs...Should be. Here's Willow Thomas's "Limitless." It's the fifth book in her Squad Goals series. 

["The Cheerleader and The Cheerleader

Hudson
Coming out to my straight best friend is harder than I think it will be. Not because he is phobic.
Because I’m in love with him.
I know; I am a walking, talking, queer cliche.
When I do come out, he is supportive… maybe a little too much, because before I know it, he has hatched a crazy plan that involves him easing me into the gay dating scene.
I’m not sure how us being fake boyfriends fits into this, but as if I’d refuse any chance to be close to Wyatt.
In the end, I know I will end up with a broken heart.
As long as I still have my best friend, it will all be worth it.

Wyatt
Hudson is my best friend. My ride or die. My bestie with testes. So when he comes out, I’m a little surprised, but I’m happy for him to live his truth.
In theory.
Because in reality, I’m not liking everyone and their mom trying to set him up on dates.
He’s my best friend, I should be the one to help him.
When I’m put on the spot and announce we are boyfriends, it takes me a minute, but I quickly realize it’s genius. I can keep all the horndogs away from Hudson, and it’s a great reason to spend even more time together.
I love Hudson and will do anything for him.
I love his kindness.
I love his dry sense of humor.
I love his smile.
I love the way his ass looks in his cheerleading uniform.
Wait…what?"]

Oh silly boys. I love the trope-y-ness of this novella, but how it was still so beautiful. Their friendship flowed perfectly into a relationship, even if it took them a while to actually communicate the feelings.

And I LOVE the Basil cameo (obsessed with him), and how right Willow was when she said Cora Rose is a queer-awakening queen. 

#clueless #restless #dateless #breathless #limitless #flawless #endless #squadgoals #squadgoalsseries #willowthomas #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Millie Fleur Saves The Night

I told my coworker how I finally pre-ordered the next Millie Fleur book, and she gave me her ARC!! :D Here's Christy Mandin's "Millie Fleur Saves the Night." It's the sequel to the ever-fabulous "Millie Fleur's Poison Garden."

["Wednesday Addams meets The Night Gardener in the sequel to The New York Times bestselling Millie Fleur's Poison Garden. A delightfully peculiar story about embracing the magic of the night.

Garden Glen was afraid of the dark.
Each night when the sun went down, all the lights in town turned on. The houses shone like the noon sun. Every house except for MIllie Fleur La Fae's, of course.
Millie Fleur knows there are enchanting things that can only be glimpsed in the dark. But ever since she moved to Garden Glen, her nighttime friends are nowhere to be found.
Determined to welcome the dark back to town, Millie Fleur bakes delicious moon pies and plants a sweet-smelling moon garden. But before the nighttime creatures will return, Millie Fleur must convince the townspeople to be brave and turn out the lights."]

I LOOOOOVE Millie Fleur. I love how sweet and dark she is. She's simply herself, even if its different. It's beautiful (and a perfect message for children (people) of all ages).

It was breathtaking how the Dark was a character in this store. By anthropomorphizing it, it became less scary. But giving it a shape, a smile, a personality, we suddenly aren’t that afraid. It’s something familiar and something friendly instead of something unknown. That in of itself is a whole other message of knowledge is power. 

This story will help kids learn that different isn’t bad, but also that the dark doesn’t have to be scary if we know what’s living in the shadows.

#milliefleurspoisongarden #milliefleursavesthenight #christymandin #alnwickcastlepoisongarden #books #childrensbooks #childrenspicturebooks #picturebooks #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Rivaled (Kensley Panthers #4)

Once again, the sheer number of TBRs has overwhelmed me. So why not start something completely random. Here's Nicole Dykes's "Rivaled." It's the fourth book in her Kensley Panthers series.

["Noah Asher
Coach. That’s who I am. The strong, levelheaded, always-dependable coach.
But then my wife left me. And my daughter—well, according to the town—she ran off and left me too. Now I’m branded with scandal.
My reputation is at stake, and I have to play by the rules if I want to keep my job.
But then . . . Along comes Chance Leighton—a rule breaker with a scandal of his own. And worse, he’s not from here. He’s a Big Bend Bear.
I need to keep my head down and follow the rules of this town. This town that’s kept me in their perfect package since day one.
But he makes me want to rebel. To break free and live my life how I want.
So I have a choice to make. A choice that rivals all others. One that’ll change everything.

Chance Leighton
He’s the coach. I’m an outsider.
There’s no bigger rivalry than the one between the Big Bend Bears and the Kensley Panthers. But here I am, forced to work alongside Kensley’s stubborn, grumpy coach.
There’s no way he’ll give me a shot. He sees me how they all do—wrapped up in scandal and exiled from the only place I’ve ever called home.
Just for being who I truly am.
He follows the rules. He believes in a strict structure. It’s worked for him. But I want to chip away at this town’s idea of him and see the real man.
Can rivals become friends? Can they become even more?
I don’t know the answer to that, but we’re about to find out. Because he’s so much more than who this town makes him out to be.
It’s up to him, but I’m ready for the challenge if he’ll just reach out and take it."]

Like the first book (or two), the trigger warnings were strong in his one. Maybe stronger. Or maybe it was just that these men were full-grown adults, so you can’t even say that maybe the fear of being outed in a small town as a high schooler was a smidge “dramatic” because they were teenagers and hormonal and might not have understood the “outside world” as well as they could have. 

But these two?? Holy hell. They were adorable as fuck. They were supportive and understanding. They listened and communicated. They were filled with fluff and sweetness and patience. And yet the chemistry and spice was so prominent. It was a beautiful balance.

And I loved the little cameos from the previous books/couples!! 

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, small town and smaller thoughts, sports based homophobic 'jokes', and more.

#keeper #guarded #defender #rivaled #protected #kensleypanthers #kensleypantersseries #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Defender (Kensley Panthers #3)

Once again, the sheer number of TBRs has overwhelmed me. So why not start something completely random. Here's Nicole Dykes's "Defender." It's the third book in her Kensley Panthers series.

["Travis Wyatt
All I’ve ever wanted was to go to college and get out of Kensley. That small town is all I’ve ever known. I want to be free to be myself, not stifled by small minds in the football-loving town where I grew up.
And then I blew my one and only chance.
So now, I’m just stuck. Stuck in small-town life, with the same small-town people I’ve always known. Stuck where I don’t want to be. Constantly on the defense and hiding secrets about myself. To never be the real me.
I’m lost, and I’m angry. But those people I was desperate to get away from, they don’t stop. They insist on showing me that maybe it’s not about my location.
That maybe I can be free right where I am.

Oakley Easton
Travis is way too uptight. I don’t know why. He has everything a guy could want—a steady job and friends who would do anything for him. A great simple, small-town life. But I guess that’s not what he wants.
He’s always been different. Better. Smarter. Stronger.
Still, I find myself wanting to show him everything he’s dreamed of is within his grasp. That he doesn’t have to be so serious all the time. That he can be himself wherever he is, and I’ll back him up.
Because that’s what I’m good at—on and off the field. I’ll always be his defender.
If he’d only let me."]

I reeeaaalllllly liked this couple. They were dynamic and opposites attract. They saw each other and supported each other. They made the other better.

It wasn't all easy. There were a lot of assumptions in the beginning..and around that third-act-break-up time (did they? didn't they?). But they figured it all out in the end (all of them and more).

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, small town and smaller thoughts, sports based homophobic 'jokes', and more.

#keeper #guarded #defender #rivaled #protected #kensleypanthers #kensleypantersseries #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Guarded (Kensley Panthers #2)

Once again, the sheer number of TBRs has overwhelmed me. So why not start something completely random. Here's Nicole Dykes's "Guarded." It's the second book in her Kensley Panthers series.

["Jameson Bates
I have a secret. We all have secrets. I’m nothing special.
It just so happens, however, that my sworn enemy also knows my secret.
He’s the absolute worst person to know this, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
What he does with this information is totally out of my hands and completely in his.
This is why I’ve never let anyone in. I don’t trust easily. I keep to myself.
I’m closed off. Angry.
Guarded.

Garrison Dixon
I shouldn’t have seen what I did.
I shouldn’t know what I do.
But how Bates can think I would ever say anything is beyond me.
Everyone thinks I’m just a big, dumb football player with nothing more to him.
The truth is I’ll never say a word about what I witnessed. I don’t care about it the way he thinks I do. I wouldn’t hurt him.
And I’d let him know that—all of it—if he wasn’t so damn . . .
Guarded."]

Enemies to lovers to friends. Classic. What’s even more classic: having those feeling of pining and jealousy and love but not knowing how to identify them until it’s far too late and you’re in too deep. 

In too deep and not able to find any fucks to give about it. Love doesn’t solve everything, but it can give you a support system, it can teach you to be brave, it can care for you through hard times, it can cheer you on during rough ones. Love isn’t a solution, but it can be a stepping stone.

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, small town and smaller thoughts, sports based homophobic 'jokes', and more.

#keeper #guarded #defender #rivaled #protected #kensleypanthers #kensleypantersseries #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Keeper (Kensley Panthers #1)

Once again, the sheer number of TBRs has overwhelmed me. So why not start something completely random. Here's Nicole Dykes's "Keeper." It's the first book in her Kensley Panthers series.

["Kingston Wells
I like to party. To have a good time.
Life’s too short not to. I learned that when I lost my grandpa.
He told me to have fun while I can, and I intend to.
Although sometimes when you’re having a good time, you forget others may see you as irresponsible. And sometimes you screw up.
I’ve definitely screwed up a time or two.
But I’m still determined to have fun. And along the way, I’m hoping I’ll convince my best friend, Camden, to do the same.
He’s too serious. Too focused. Too busy taking care of everyone to just relax.
And that’s where I come in.

Camden Prescott
I may only be eighteen and a senior, but I have too much on my plate to be a kid.
Too many people depend on me, but I can handle it.
I have to handle it. My mom needs my help. My little sister needs me. And Kingston, my best friend in the world—yeah, he definitely needs me.
Because while he’s busy having fun, I’m busy cleaning up his messes along with everyone else’s.
It’s not all bad though. He’s there to make sure I occasionally have fun, and I’m there for him when he needs to take life seriously.
Because that’s what I am . . .
The Keeper"]

How can a book be so adorable and so heartbreaking. Sooooo fucking bittersweet. 

That's pretty much the book. Bittersweet. Filled with so much fluff and softness, but so much thoughts of regret/guilt. So many reservations and self-doubt. But so much going-for-it and being happy.

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, small town and smaller thoughts, sports based homophobic 'jokes', and more.

#keeper #guarded #defender #rivaled #protected #kensleypanthers #kensleypantersseries #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Forbidden Titan (North Short Titans #4)

Here's E.V. Olsen's latest series North Short Titans. The fourth novel in this series is "Forbidden Titan."

[""The devil wears many faces. Today, he wore the one I've been running from for five years."

Five years spent running, reinventing myself at every turn, until my stepbrother finally caught up to me.

Zach Knight is cold, dangerous, and determined to make me pay for almost destroying his hockey career. But beneath that icy exterior burns something far more intense than revenge.

Now I'm back home, trying to build a future while dealing with the fierce attraction between us. Every touch, every heated glance draws me deeper into dangerous territory.

My stepbrother may be broken in ways I'm only beginning to understand, but so am I. His darkness calls to mine, and when he claims me as his, I can't resist falling.

They say the opposite of hate is love, but with Zach Knight, the line between the two threatens to consume us both.

Falling for the forbidden titan was never part of the plan.

But neither was becoming his salvation."]

I've been WAITING for this one for soooooooo long. And the teasers we've been getting haven't helped the need. And when I tell you the wait was worth it? Holy. Shit.

This was was crazy with emotions and secrets and traumas and guilt and angry and lust and possessiveness and protectiveness and love and WOW. 

In typical EV fashion, it was over the top and alpha-y and slightly unhinged, but it was somehow equally as soft and sweet.

Plus all of the callbacks and cameos and found family. Fuck, this found family is so crazy (medically diagnosed or not) but sooooo fucking supportive. 

Trigger Warnings: homophobia by tertiary characters, one MC being drugged and kidnapped by other MC, one MC being physically assaulted (not SA--not by MC), one character having brain damage, discussion of child abuse (not SA), violence, trauma responses, claustrophobia, self-harming, and more. 

#booksprout #arcs #arcteammember
#savagetitan #brutaltitan #unhingedtitan #forbiddentitan #ruthlesstitan #northshoretitans #northshoretitansseries #evolsen #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

My Big Gay Secret Wedding (Sweet Southern #3)

Here's "My Big Gay Secret Wedding" by D.K. Sutton. Its the third book in her Wedding Disaster's series.

["That feeling when you wake up married to your best man…

When my almost-wedding to a popular media influencer implodes and goes viral, we head to Vegas to drown our sorrows and hide from the paparazzi. Everything is under control. Right?

But then I wake up naked, hungover, and married to my straight best friend.

A quick annulment is the perfect solution. Until it’s not.

I need to break free from my controlling father and stay in med school to gain access to my trust fund and the truth about my mother’s disappearance. The only way to do that is to prove my independence.

Mac and I agree to pretend our accidental marriage was intentional. Pretend Mac isn’t exactly straight. Pretend I'm madly in love with my best friend.

The hard part? All this pretending feels way too real.

Every kiss and touch from Mac feels more authentic than the last, making it difficult to hide how much I want our marriage to be forever.

Mac has been the only constant in my life. My best friend. My whole world.

But with our divorce only a signature away, I risk losing everything. Mac included.

Can what happened in Vegas be forever?"]

I soooooo forgot about the Zye thing, the estranged brothers thing, the almost-wedding thing, the emus (okay, I remembered Zye's (Miles's) emu). It was a looooot coming back. And all of the additional traumas and horrible parents. And even more fuel to the parent's hate-filled-fire. This book was a rollercoaster from the very beginning. 

These two falling in love was beautiful and devastating. Rainn was already crushing on (and half-in-love-with) Mac before Vegas, let alone after. Mac would never let anything or anyone harm Rainn, but he himself can't possibly have feelings for his best friend because he's Straight (and got some internalized homophobia going on). They were both soooo protective and possessive with each other, but a simple (but hot af) kiss sent them both reeling. In such a rush to end their drunken marriage, but never taking the rings off the chain around their necks. 

Of course they (eventually) figured out what everyone around them already knew: they were meant to be. They were it for each other. It took them a little too long (and far too many "sorry"s), but they eventually made it to a HEA.

Trigger Warnings: alcoholism (not on-page), PTSD, internalized homophobia, homophobia from a parent, transphobia from a parent, parental abandonment, and more. 

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#mybestfriendsweddingplanner #runawayprince #mybiggaysecretwedding #weddingdiasters #weddingdiastersseries #dksutton #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

French Fancy (The Model Agency #2)

I meant to read this as soon as it came out...in 2023, but I guess now is better than never. ;) Here's Lily Morton's "French Fancy." It's the second book in her series The Model Agency.

["Pip Simmonds is the twinkiest twink in London. He’s loud, proud, and packed to the brim with sass. But when he’s laid low by illness, even his hotpants lose their sparkle and his worried boss sends him to the South of France to recuperate in his holiday home.

Cap Ferrat is beautiful, and the periwinkle-blue villa is luxurious, but the real draw for Pip is the villa’s other resident—his boss’s younger brother, Olivier Durand.

Olivier owns a perfume empire and has spent his whole life running from any other form of commitment. He’s worldly, carefree, wild, and the perfect choice for a holiday fling.

Drawn together by proximity, the two men become lovers and friends and then something more. Something special. But will their special bond hold true after summer’s end, when they both must return to their real lives?"]

PIP!! If anyone is worthy of your sass and banter and love and dedication, it's Olivier. Ditto goes for Olivier. They are chaotic and crazy together. They get into trouble, but in the best of ways. They are partners in crime and adventure buddies. They get each other on sooooo many levels. Their love is monumental and their relationship is...things of Jonas's nightmares (and dreams--his favorite people are happy and in love, even if its with each other).

I FUCKING love Pip and Olivier in this. The banter was never ending, never hesitating, and never failling to make my giggle. Everyone should be jealous (the amount of people who tell Pip that he's perfection is just amazing).

#thesunnyside #frenchfancy #lilymorton #themodelagency #themodelagencyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Paper Roses (Confetti Hitched #3)

Here's Lily Morton's latest: "Paper Roses." It's the third novel in her Confetti Hitched series.

["Jed Walker thinks he’s having a midlife crisis. The only trouble is that it feels too good to stop.

Widowed at a young age, he’s spent his life since then avoiding any relationships that might end up hurting him again. He has his successful wedding planning business, Confetti Hitched, and a series of uncomplicated hookups, and that’s all he needs in life

The one person disrupting this controlled stoicism is his younger assistant, Artie. He’s sweet and kind and has a funny way of calming Jed’s mind. So, when Artie comes to him with a problem, Jed moves heaven and earth to help, which is how he finds himself entering a fake marriage with the younger man and catching feelings. Too bad it’s all pretend. Or is it?"]

My GOD! The pining and angst from Artie was real. I was sooo close to sobbing soooooo many times. Thank you for the extra layer of anxiety. And the red eyes. I wasn’t kidding about the sobbing; almost every Artie chapter ended in me crying.

But Jed eventually wavered and softened. He was falling for Artie before he knew which way was up.

Trigger Warnings: death of a spouse (past and off-page), death of a parent (past and off-page), parental abandonment, toxic step parent, manipulation, and more. 

#confettihearts #somethingborrowed #paperhearts #confettihitched #confettihitchedseries #lilymorton #mixedmessages #mixedmessagesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Blown (The Art of Love #5)

Here's Merry Farmer's "Blown." It's the fifth novel in her new series, The Art of Love.

["The Art of Love is risking your career for a fake engagement that could unravel your web of lies…

Rafe Hawthorne is a master glassblower with a commitment problem. He loves his life of artistic and romantic freedom, but the older he gets, the more he realizes he needs help to reach the heights of the glass world. As much as he hates to admit it, his old rival, Jake Mathers, might be the only person who can help him level up his career.

And Rafe has something Jake desperately needs, too.

Jake has always been the charming sweet-talker with more talent than anyone else in the room. He has the connections, the know-how, and the ambition to take the glass world by storm. At least, everyone thinks he does. In reality, Jake has built his career on a mountain of lies. The only true things about him are his desire to move to the UK and his feelings for Rafe.

When all those lies suddenly unfurl, will the fallout take Rafe down, too, or will the two men come together to save each other and make the lies true?"]

This series is really good at the dual-first-person-POV, where both characters are hyper-anxious about something, where both characters under the allusion that the other person can/will fix it, and where both characters are sucky at communicating their feelings and their troubles. It's a great way to push the plot along and adding suspense, but its angsty and rude.

However! It does make the reward of falling in love and a HEA all the more worth it. 

These two didn’t have it easy. It was constant work and doubts and reassurances and second/third/fourth chances. But they had each other..and the entire Hawthorne clan. 

Trigger Warnings: homophobic parents, anxiety, and more. 

#thrown #painted #decorated #forged #blown #theartoflove #theartofloveseries #merryfarmer #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Forged (The Art of Love #4)

Here's Merry Farmer's "Forged." It's the fourth novel in her new series, The Art of Love.

["The Art of Love is awakening to things you never knew about yourself with someone you thought was just a friend….

Nick Turner has always been the big, shy, silent type. He’s always let his metalwork and blacksmithing skills speak for him. But now, as a widower with two small children to raise in the midst of the eccentric Hawthorne family and a sculpture that needs completing to make the deadline for a national competition, he knows he’s in over his head.

Thank God for Baxter Hawthorne dropping into his life…

Bax Hawthorne is the black sheep of his family. He’s an accountant in a sea of artists. But that doesn’t mean he’s not just as free-spirited and ambitious as his kin. The one thing he never thought he’d be, however, was a father. But when he’s thrown into proximity with Nick and ends up helping to take care of his kids in a pinch, all that might change.

Nick could have sworn he was straight, but the closer he gets to Bax, the more he questions that. Could one night of sparks between them end up forging a bond that brings the whole family together?"]

These two were adorable as hell. They both experienced a sort of loss, and they just wanted to be there for each other in any way possible. Their friendship grew and grew. The kiddy cuddles definitely helped. And the well-intended but too-nosy-for-their-own-good meddling Hawthorne family.

Though (yes, I’m saying this knowing it’s coming from an outsider’s POV), they made things super complicated for not a lot of reason. And these kids were little, toddlers, but a little overly babyfied for dramatic effect. 

I love this series. I love this family. I love how supportive and open they are. I love how we get to learn so much about so many different arts. Not to mention all of the HEAs.

Trigger Warnings: toxic (but I guess well-meaning?) grandparents, classism, homophobia, the-world-for-religious-hate, and more.

#thrown #painted #decorated #forged #blown #theartoflove #theartofloveseries #merryfarmer #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Decorated (The Art of Love #3)

Here's Merry Farmer's "Decorated." It's the third novel in her new series, The Art of Love.

["Can a campy train wreck make a straitlaced grinch love Christmas?

RAF officer Alfie Spears isn’t crazy about Christmas, even though he’s spearheading his unit’s Christmas charity drive, which is taking place at the Hawthorne Community Arts Center. Christmas is definitely not his favorite time of year, but since his father was once a student at the school that occupied Hawthorne House before the arts center, he’s willing to give it a go. Stepping away from his usual duties might be just what he needs to decide whether to continue on in the military or join civilian life.

It was all supposed to be calm and low-key, but then Blaine Hawthorne happened….

Blaine Hawthorne has really stuffed it all up. One outstandingly horrific mistake in the interior design business he ran with a friend caused the entire company to tank. Now he’s hiding out at Hawthorne House for the holidays because he’s convinced his ex-business-partner is out for revenge.

The last thing he expected was to jump enthusiastically into the new project of assisting Alfie and jingling his bells….

Blaine is as determined to get Alfie to like Christmas as Alfie is to get Blaine to face his problems. But will their holiday fling be over once the presents are unwrapped or will they ring in a new year and a new life together?"]

Alfie got it exactly correct when he called Blaine "an adorable train wreck." He's a blur of rainbow colors and anxiety, a beautiful hot mess. It's a good think that Alfie is professionally trained in handling tense situations. ;)

These two were adorable as hell. It was fast as hell, but call it fate (and the Christmas spirit). They just clicked.

#thrown #painted #decorated #forged #blown #theartoflove #theartofloveseries #merryfarmer #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Waiting For You

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 "Waiting For You."

["As a divorced man in my thirties with a throwaway job and very few friends, I admit that I’ve made a lot of bad decisions over the years. Rounding out the top of that epic list was allowing my son’s best friend, Quinn, to talk me into taking him on a two-week summer road trip…alone.

What was supposed to be quality father-son bonding time before Joshua goes off to college has somehow transpired into a battle of wills between me and his nineteen-year-old best friend.

Quinn may be young but he genuinely seems to enjoy spending time with me, something I’ve never experienced before, and it feels nice to finally have someone care. I mean, being friends with the kid wouldn’t be so bad, right?

But Quinn suddenly seems hellbent on flirting with me, and the way he looks at me is anything but friendly. My will to stay away from this sweet, attractive, and persistent young man is waning. With the two of us alone in a camper, in the wilds of Michigan…Christ, this is bad…very, very bad."]

This is advertised as low-angst. Low-angst my ass. There was soooo much mutual-pining and guilt and will-they-won't-they and I'm-too-old-for-him and please-don't-let-him-take-it-back and secrecy and broken moments and fights and god, I sobbed. So yea, low-angst...I'm not agreeing with that one. 

But honestly, NONE of this book would have happened if it wasn't for Quinn. He was persistent and stubborn and bold and knew his heart. He went for what he wanted, multiple times. He put his heart on the line, again and again. He knew that this thing between them was meant to be, and he was tired of waiting.

And this is officially the last Cora Rose book on my to-binge list (except for the Unlucky 13 series--I have a lot of authors on there that will completely complete the binge). Now what??

#waitingforyou #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Sunshine For Sale (Homegrown Hearts #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 "Sunshine For Sale." It's the first novel in their Homegrown Hearts series.

["Braxton—the emo kid, the loner, the cynical wallflower with an attitude. It’s no secret that I’ve never quite fit in.

But it’s glaringly obvious now that I’ve moved to this Podunk small town that seems to run entirely on sugar, friendliness, and cheer. (And cows, an ungodly number of cows.)

I hate it—this place where everyone knows everyone, and I’m still the outsider.

But who wants to fit in anyways? I’ve never really tried, never even thought I wanted to… until I met him.

Jimbob is living his best life out here, farming the fields of Kansas, well and truly happy. And I just don’t get it. His charming smiles, playful winks, and easy-going attitude infuriate me, but I can’t look away. He’s like a bright, sunny day sweeping through my prickly hailstorm.

And I’m so utterly confused, because I’ve never felt this way before. There’s just something about Jimbob that makes me want to try.

Makes me want to belong.

Makes me want to put down roots in the glow of his sunshine."]

When we first met Jimbob, I reallllly though is HEA would be with Ryan, his stepbrother, but there's something about Jimbob and Braxton that's just..perfection. And Ryan should be with Beck.

Jimbob was smitten, but confused about it. Well, he was more confused on why Braxton hated him (because, as he said, no one hates him--he's sunshine). Braxton was smitten, too, but more angry/frustrated than confused (though he was confused); why him, why now, and why would someone with so much sunshine want something with so many shadows. 

The mini pig helped sway Braxton over to the light side--and Kansa in general. The mini pig, the kitten, the donkey, the goats. Jimbob. *Sigh* and Ryan, the meddling little shit he is.

Quote of the Day (Jimbob)" My tractor even has a cup holder. I'm fancy like that." Fucking swoon.

Trigger Warnings: parental abandonment, parental guilt, child guilt

#sunshineforsale #homegrownhearts #homegrownheartsseries #corarose #nicoledykes #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Candy Hearts: Volume 2

Here's "Candy Hearts: Volume 2." It's a LGBT+ Charity Anthology.

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

Each novella in the Candy Hearts Anthology, volume 2, is overflowing with red-hot romance and all the good feels. This volume is all about wrong numbers—wrong phone numbers, addresses, office numbers, seats, and more. If you enjoy serendipity, then you’ll love this collection.

The Candy Hearts Anthology will be available for a limited time, and all proceeds will benefit the Rainbow Railroad.

The participating authors in this volume: Anna Sparrows, BA Tortuga, Becca Seymour, Beck Grey, Bix Barrow, BL Maxwell, CD Rachels, Chantal Mer, D.K. Sutton, David Gray, E.M. Denning, Hinsel Meyer, Jem Wendel, Lee Blair, London Price, Marie Sinclair, Merry Farmer, Minerva Howe, Riley Long, Rye Cox, Stella Rainbow, Susan Scott Shelley, Victoria Gillilan, and Zoe Lee"]

I read about 50-80% of this anthology, mainly just the authors I currently follow. The other short stories I'll go back to at a later date. I read "Falling For 42" by Becca Seymour, "A Crush on Coach" by DK Sutton, "Wrong Number, Right Heart" by EM Denning, "It Must Be Fate" by Lee Blair, "Sugared" by Merry Farmer,  "All I Want Is You" by Rye Cox, and "My Demon Keeper" by Stella Rainbow. 

My Favorite Story: Lex and Garrison from “It Must Be Fate” by Lee Blair  

My Favorite Couple: Sam and Oscar from "Wrong Number, Right Heart" by EM Denning

I Want More Of: Ten and Matthew from "My Demon Keeper" by Stella Rainbow

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#candyhearts #candyheartsvolume2 #lgbtcharityanthology #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Reluctantly You (Our Exception #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 "Reluctantly You." It's the third novel in her Our Exception series.

["They say blood makes you related but loyalty makes you a family…

Sounds like a tacky wall-art quote to me. But what do I know? I don’t have a family. Not anymore. And I definitely don’t know loyalty. Not since my brothers collectively decided to shut me out of their lives... Not since my mother lied to me and kept a devastating secret... Not since my father sold our company out from under me to a smug jerk with a chip on his shoulder.

Gideon Masters… he’s my new boss, and I hate him for everything that’s happened to me. For everything that’s been taken away. Even though I know, deep down, that being an angry bastard all my life hasn’t done me any favors, and that my hatred must have consequences. So maybe Gideon is my rightful punishment. Maybe I deserve his retribution for my sins. But the way he taunts me and torments me, the way he commands me, it all feels too good to be wrong. Maybe I don’t want him to stop. Maybe my punishment could also be my savior."]

Reeeaaalllllly not sure how I felt about this book going in. Sure, each brother made me nervous, but you could see some redeeming qualities in them. And okay, sure x2, Mitch is suffering from being abandoned and lied to and suicidal ideations, but I just...I don't know. He made me the most on-edge. Hence, the multi-day avoidance and multi-day read.

Of course the universe sent Mitch a kitten--and Emery--to help him through the darker days of his depression, suicidal thoughts, and overall crippling loneliness. And Gideon; who at first pushed him farther away, but the pulled him back off the edge. Mitch made me want to get a whiteboard to display his inner thoughts to others so they would be able to understand him better, help him more. 

Though, Mitch grew SOOOO much in this book. He's a different person in the middle than he was in the beginning, let alone the ending. He deserves all the love and support he gained through his struggles. 

The dad plot twist!!!!???? I sobbed when I connected the dots. Such a nice change, such a positive spin, such a small world. And honestly, it makes sense. 

Trigger Warnings: depression, degradation, homophobic thoughts/dialogue, suicidal thoughts, sexual content with character other than MC (at the beginning), self-hate, dubcon​, verbal parental abuse, and more.

#exceptyou #suddenlyyou #reluctantlyyou #ourexceptionseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Handy (Four Bears Construction #8)

AHHH! A brand-new Four Bears Construction book! K.M. Neuhold is fabulous for revisiting this town! Here's "Handy."

["My new neighbor may be grumpy but he's also hot, and very good with his hands…

I definitely overestimated my own handyman skills when I bought this fixer-upper. I have to say, the view from my new place is worth it though. Especially around seven o'clock every morning when my big, furry bear of a neighbor drinks his coffee shirtless on his back porch.

He's dedicated to the bear thing too. Growly, grumpy, and as it turns out, he really likes belly rubs.

Am I a sucker for a touch starved grump? Yes. Am I sorry about it? Absolutely not.

Getting Griff into my house and into my bed is the easy part. Convincing him I'm actually interested in him is so much harder.

I didn't mean to turn myself into his secret admirer, but if sending him anonymous presents and notes is the only way to wear down his gruff exterior, then that's what I'm going to do.

Sooner or later he’ll realize he’s more than just my grumpy handyman, right?"]

I looooooved how grumpy Griff was, and I loved even more how Ledge called him "grumpy bear" and "baby bear" and "my big bear." *Swoon* They were adorable as hell and utterly perfect for each other. I mean, who else could 'tame' a big grumpy bear of a man than a sunshiny park ranger?? 

Quote of the Day (Ledge): "I wore my practically see-through tank top, blatantly flirted, and hit him with tons of excellent bird facts. If Griff isn't seduced yet then I really don't know when else to do. Maybe a few more bird facts just to be safe?"

I honestly NEED to know something. Out of ALL of the posts I've seen on FB so far about this book, how come NO ONE has mentioned the butter!?!?!? It's fucking iconic! Thank you for bringing that gem back to us, KM. Griff? Not so much: "I've never had an existential crisis before, but I'm pretty sure I'm having one right now. I've made choices Stone has made, and something about that feels very wrong on a cellular level."

Speaking of iconic, I'm obsessed with the sheer about of call-backs we got in this little book. So many couples, pets, sexcapades, silly stories. So much love and friendship. Seriously! Soooooooo many series were covered as little teasers and highlights in here! It was like K.M. was hosting a reunion special! :D

#caulky #nailed #hardwood #screwed #stud #stripped #drilled #handy #kmneuhold #fourbearsconstruction #fourbearsconstructionseries #bigbullmechanics #bigbullmechanicsseries #inkslingers #inkslingersseries #palmisland #palmislandseries #theoffseason #theoffseasonseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Peacocks (Licking Thicket #5)

AHHH! A brand-new Licking Thicket book! May Archer and Lucy Lennox are fabulous for revisiting this town! Here's "Peacocks."

["Lane’s Tips for Licking Thicket Newcomers:

If at all possible, find yourself a hot and helpful landlord like Jaybird Proud who mows the lawn shirtless… and hope your grass grows quickly.

Expect the unexpected at work. If you’re a veterinarian, this might mean letter-cows, pet pigs that aren’t pets, and Butterscotch the Pomeranian, who has Strong Feelings about his glands.

Offer your help around town when needed… especially when that gorgeous landlord knocks on your door because his (pea)cock won’t stop displaying.

Learn about local customs, including: matchmaking, leaving Italian Gentlemen on the doormat, ordering tater tots, and entwining dead vines into wreaths as a sign of true love.

Get your car washed on the regular… especially when your landlord is the one doing the scrubbing.

Above all, keep things casual, even when Jay ends up at your place every night. And every morning. And the occasional afternoon.

But when you find yourself falling for someone like Jaybird Proud (and life in his weird and wonderful town), let go of everything you thought you wanted… and Entwine that Thicketeer forever."]

These two were adorable as spray-painted cows in a cow field, as a freshly showered show-turkey, as a pamper pig in a dog bed. Iykyk. ;) I was obsessed with their friendships and general fluffiness. Their chemistry was easy, even if their communication could use some work. But they got there eventually, which the entire town supporting them. 

I loved being back in the Thicket and experiencing so many of these traditions again!

And I looooooved being able to see so many of our precious couples still all heart-eyes and in love. 

Though I’m going to need a book with Peter and his doctor soon..

#flakes #fakers #lairs #fools #turkeys #peacocks #lickingthicket #lickingthicketseries #lickingthickethornofglory #lickingthickethornofgloryseries #mayarcher #lucylennox #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Suddenly You (Our Exception #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 "Suddenly You." It's the second novel in her Our Exception series.

["We’ve all heard the saying, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

God help me, if only that were true.

Because as it turns out, my surprise gay husband is very much still my husband outside of the great state of Nevada. And let me tell you, as a straight guy, waking up married to a man I barely know with no memory of how it happened wasn’t even on my Bingo card.

What started as a fun weekend getaway to support my brothers in their relationships and show them how much I've grown, has somehow spiraled wildly out of my control.

Cooper Barone is rich, kind, and charming, but he’s holding all the cards now. Because he doesn't want our marriage annulled. No, he says he wants us to make a deal. He wants me to spend time with him, to move in with him.

All I know is that I’m broke and I can't afford a divorce without his compliance, without his help.

So there’s nothing left for me to do but agree and accept my fate.

I'm a straight dude with a husband.

This is my life now."]

These two were adorable as hell. Touch-starved meets lonely. Broke meets rich. Run down and ragged meets loves-to-pamper-others. They're an adorable match, even if they did a few things backward. They bickered like an old married couple at first sight. They become good friends. They kiss for the first time (not drunk in Vegas) weeks after moving in together. They become almost dependent on each other (but like in a romantic way). They fall in love.

I looooooooved how Coop let's Matt be himself. He feeds into his touch-starved nature. He forces him to relax for once, take a break. He tells Matt that it's okay to collect (and want) pretty things.  He cooks for him, buys him things, spoils him rotten. It's glorious. Cooper wants someone to take care of, and Matt needs taking care of.

I loved the Magnus/Sem things we got (as well as the Max/Beau things). But I feel like things with Mitch are going to fucking explode any moment now (saying that the epilogue is his--and the next book--I know I'm right (but you know what I mean)).

Trigger Warnings: past homophobia, okay still slightly homophobic (in the beginning) in the micro-aggressions kinda way and most of them he takes back immediately, mild internalized homophobia, self-doubt/hate, anxiety, and more.

#exceptyou #suddenlyyou #reluctantlyyou #ourexceptionseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Except You (Our Exception #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 "Except You." It's the first novel in her Our Exception series.

["A straight man walks into a gay bar searching for meaning…It sounds like the start of a lousy joke. And honestly, that’s what my life is beginning to feel like. I look back at all the hateful things I’ve said and done—so many things I can’t take back—and I’m not proud. I let my ignorance steal my relationship with my youngest brother, Magnus. He and his husband, Sem, are now happily married with kids, and all I want is to be a part of their lives. But I need help to get there. Help in the form of a sweet man so open-hearted and optimistic that he’s willing to take on and teach a lost cause like me. Because I don’t know if people are truly capable of change. But the way Beau looks at me with his pretty eyes and cheeky smile, the way he openly shows me friendship, love, and affection…he sure makes me wonder, if a person can change, can they also earn forgiveness?"]

You can really see Max's growth in this story, in the first dozen chapters even. He grows from some of the first trigger warnings below (homophobic micro-aggressions and mild internalized homophobia) to accepting Magnus, Beau, and more importantly, himself. It wasn't easy, accepting that you are what you were taught to hate, knowing you'd be without your family soon; but Beau made it almost easy, giving him a home, giving him love .

Beau tried soooo hard not to fall for the "straight guy," but when its fate, it's fate. And these two were utterly meant to be. They were adorable and supportive. They just clicked from the very first moment. As they got to know each other and grew closer, love was inevitable. As Beau tried so hard not to fall even further, Max clung even harder (honestly, him and Sem would get along really fucking well).

I love the Magnus/Sem moments! They made me cry (quite a lot). I'm so glad that Magnus (and Max) is getting (some of) his family back--and all of those overdue apologies. And the kids!! D: 

Trigger Warnings: past homophobia, okay still slightly homophobic (in the beginning) in the micro-aggressions kinda way and most of them he takes back immediately, mild internalized homophobia, anxiety, panic attacks, and more.

#exceptyou #suddenlyyou #reluctantlyyou #ourexceptionseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

February's Book Shape Challenge 2025

Here's February's Book Shape Challenge! A wily little groundhog (because no matter what he says, it'll probably (most likely) still be winter here for another two months..then again, climate change). 

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

Always Him (Inevitable #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 "Always Him." It's the second novel in her Inevitable series.

["If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year it’s that life isn’t always fair.

Sometimes things happen that test our resilience and our strength.

My life was changed forever one fateful night last year when I lost my leg in an accident. It’s affected my independence and my confidence.

But there is one thing—one person—that hasn’t changed, hasn’t wavered when life gets hard.

Finn Ledger. He’s been my best friend since the moment we met in middle school. We’re grown now, with separate lives, but he still always manages to be there for me when I need him, even when circumstances try to wrench us apart.

He always holds me when I need it, cares for me like no one else can. His affection for me feels like home, like safety…

But recently those innocent touches have been igniting something new inside of me. Something I can’t explain, something lustful and intense.

Something that could change everything…"]

Oh, Landon, you sweet summer child. Totally and completely in love with your best friend, just not aware. Then there's Finn, pushing through his feelings at all costs (as Landon constantly changes the rules of their friendship--friendly kisses are a thing, right?).

My god, those flashbacks of Finn's!!!??!!! Beautiful and heartbreakingly adorable. Tween/teen Finn, it'll take your man 8 years to get on the same page, so have faith. And the strength of a god, because Landon is about to test every single one of your buttons. 

Evvvvvvveryone thought they were together in the last book (I mean, I did, too so..), but apparently not. They needed more time to get their shit together, to communicate, to excel the situation past a point of no return. And it wasn't always easy (it was almost never easy), with Landon finally seeing the light but having so many conflicting thoughts, and with Finn trying not to fall every more or get his hope up for nothing.

Quote of the Day (Landon//Finn): "'Pretty please, Finn, I say batting my eyelashes at him. // "Not today, Satan." // "I'm not Satan," I mutter." Yeeeaaaah, Landon is very hard to say no to, like impossible; he's a cherub. 

Nope, I changed my mind. Here's the Quote of the Day (Finn): "God, I knew he wasn't vanilla. I knew it. He's fucking rocky road."

Though, honestly, everything Finn said was fucking gold. He's dramatic as fuck and sassy and adorable and witty and can bend anyone to his will with his cuteness and his eyelashes. So.. Just read the book.

Trigger Warnings: trauma, mental health, internalized ableism, disabilities, and more.

#untilhim #alwayshim #inevitable #inevitableseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Until Him (Inevitable #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 "Until Him." It's the first novel in her Inevitable series.

["If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year at college, it’s that things aren’t always what they seem.
I’m Logan Lewis. I’m popular, charming, athletic, and all the girls love me. Yep, I’ve really got it made.
But when I find myself in danger of failing my chemistry class and losing my sports scholarship, I know the only person who can save me is the smartest science tutor on campus.

Theo Reign is brilliant. He’s also cold and antisocial, moody and mean. He looks at me like he hates me, but touches me like he wants me. There’s something just beneath the surface that draws me in. His secret pain mirrors my own, and I suddenly find myself craving him. I can’t get enough of this mysterious and intriguing man, and though I know what we’re doing is weird and probably toxic, I just can’t seem to let him go.
I never thought I would want another man.
Until him."]

Another day, another Cora book that made me cry. Yay.

These two are probably (no, not probably) a little toxic. But neither of them are neurotypical, neither of them have had a real (healthy) relationship, and neither of them have felt a chemistry such as this before. 

If it wasn't for Logan's stubborn behavior and all around tendency to avoid any other serious topics in his life (such as his brother), Theo would still be alone, scared, afraid. Then again, same goes for Logan himself. Mental health isn't cured by love (or dicks), but it gets easier when you have a support system, when you feel loved/supported.  

Not to mention all of the fluff and heart-eyes and cuddles. And cat toys (all the cat toys).

Trigger Warnings: grief, trauma, anxiety, bullying, self-doubt/hate, and more.

#untilhim #alwayshim #inevitable #inevitableseries #corarose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks