Siren In Love (In Love #1)

Here's Alexa Piper's "Siren In Love." It's the first novel in her In Love series. This novel was previously published as "Siren's Love Song" but has since been expanded.

["Mike is a siren with a law degree, and he’s straddled his supernatural heritage and living among humans for years without a hitch. Yet, dating a human is a first for Mike.

Corvin is bookish, cute, irresistible. It doesn’t take long before Mike knows he wants to share all his melodies with him. And it should be that easy, except the good things in life rarely are.

Siren in Love contains some gore, minimal decapitation, a hangry vampire boss, and books. So many books."]

These two had the most adorable and witty banter! It flowed so well. I loved that they had just a great chemistry from the very first moment of their meet-cute. And then it just got cuter and cuter. All of the comfort and fluff, all of the caring and protectiveness. All of the music puns. All of the book puns. All of the puns in general (back to that banter).

I loved how in love they were. They were utterly dedicated to each other in every way. It was beautiful!

I want more of this quirky but adorable universe! It was all just the perfect amount of quirky, chaotic crack. 

#grr #arcs #arcteammember
#sireninlove #vampireinlove #alexapiper #inlove #inloveseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

One-Time Shot (Smithton Bears #1)

Here's Lane Hayes's "One-Time Shot." It's the first novel in her new series, the Smithton Bears.

["The jock, the geek, and the hockey project…

Jett
My pro hockey dreams are hanging by a thread. I need to have a great season and that means no partying, no distractions, no fun. The grad student pestering me for science-y help on his thesis is the definition of no fun, so…okay.
Pros and cons of agreeing to this:
Positive use of free time. (At least that’s what my agent says.)
Malcolm likes big words and his first language is math. He’s also bossy, clumsy, and he doesn’t know the first thing about hockey.
But he’s also cute and he’s got a great sense of humor and—oh no.
I cannot have a crush on the geek. No way. Not now.

Malcolm
Yes, I’m a serious student, but a hockey project is not serious. Who cares about big hunky hockey players zipping around a sheet of ice at warp speed? Not I.
According to my professor, however, the only way to attain the required data is to study the specimen in his natural habitat, AKA, the ice rink.
My thesis should lead to a bevy of job offers.
Jett. He’s impossible—too big, too handsome, too gruff and yet disarmingly charming and—
Okay, fine. I like the jock…a lot.
Lately, I find myself wondering if there’s such a thing as a one-time shot at forever."]

My, GOD, Malcom is adorable as hell. So thinks Jett. Jett's gooooone. Really fucking gone.

Then again, Malcom was equally as gone on Jett, just in a more dignified and scientific manner. 

These two were adorable as hell. Even if they made me roll my eyes (during the will-they-won't-they period) and almost sob (during the third-act business). Their friends didn't wholly understand them, but they didn't need to. Malcom and Jett understood each other, and that's all that matters. 

They were sweet and nerdy together, soft and warm, understanding and encouraging. 

I want all of the more.

Trigger Warnings: slight homophobia and more.

#grr #arcs #arcteammember
#onetimeshot #somethingtoprove #lanehayes #smithtonbears #smithtonbearsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Glitter

Here's Kayla Halleur's "Glitter."

["Stupid workplace lunch thief. Stupid upper management for not helping. Stupid me for not getting more than my gorgeous rescuer’s first name when I had the chance. How will I find him now?

Blue
There’s a lunch thief on the loose in my office, except he only seems to be stealing my lunch. Oh, I know who it is… But for “reasons,” management refuses to do anything about it.
When things escalate one Friday night, an attractive stranger comes to my rescue.
A cute, teddy bear of a stranger that is making me want to cuddle and call him my own.
I only have a first name to go on, but surely I’ll be able to track him down with enough determination.

Henry
His unique design sense, bright colors, sparkly jewelry, and colorful hairstyles grabbed my attention from the moment I first saw him a year ago. He’s held it ever since.
When I interrupted a nasty confrontation in the men’s restroom on a Friday evening, I finally learned his name and discovered that he’s even more beautiful up close than from a distance.
Waiting one weekend to see him again feels like forever, but I’ve waited this long, and I already know that he’ll be worth it.
Now if I can just manage to help him vanquish his bully, maybe he’ll notice me in return."]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Blue gets his lunch stolen yet again; upper management can go and get bent; Henry is a workaholic but is okay with it, even if it is a Friday night; suspicious bosses have perfectly valid reasons to be suspicious; Blue loves to get dressed up; Henry loves to see Blue dressed up; color and jewelry and accessories, oh my; the less said about the antagonist, the better; Henry finds something new to obsess over; Blue feels like an idiot, but he’s determined and a researching wizard, so this should be child’s play (it’s not); Blue is stubborn about shipping (he shouldn’t be); Sir Cattus deigns that Blue is an acceptable new servant (as it should be); lasagna competition; impromptu and versatile sleepover; lace is pretty and smells delicious; pocket bears and angels; phone calls that turn into something more; nervous dates with creative solutions; overprotective brothers and best friends; overly engineered things of beauty; revenge truly is the sweetest thing"]

Um, yes. All the yes. 

I looooved these two. I loved their friendship and instant chemistry. I loved their communication. I loved their love. It was simple and easy. They bonded over shared obsessions of lasagna and cuddles. They were wonderful. And adorable. Did I say how adorable they were?

And the office bully got off easy in my opinion, all things considered. 

And (x2), I LOVE how Kayla interwove her previous books into this books, making her works one big universe. It makes me so happy when authors do that!

Trigger Warnings: derogatory speech against women and men who like to wear make-up, earrings, etc; homophobia; workplace harassment and bullying (detailed verbal threats and minor physical assault/violence); and more.

#grr #arcs #arcteammember
#glitter #kaylahalleur #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Trick or Treat

Here's Becca Jackson's "Trick or Treat" by AJ Mullican and Ariel Dawn.

["Sugar, Pumpkin Spice, & Everything Nice…

Jax
Spinning tales of Jack-O-Lanterns is what I do, not who I am. At least, that’s what I thought before one argument with my grouchy grandpa ended up with me turning into a literal gourd.
If my family’s legends are true, I’ll be stuck as a pumpkin forever unless I find my fated mate before my thirty-first birthday…this Halloween.
But how am I supposed to find a guy as a pumpkin when I can’t even find one as a single man?

Mason
The last thing I want to do after a long shift at the coffee shop is go to family owned pumpkin farm with my friend. That is, until I find the perfect pumpkin to bring home. When a hot, muscled, and very naked beefcake appears in my locked house, I’m sure I’m losing my mind.
Especially when I realize I’m falling in love with a man…who turns into a pumpkin every night.
Can I push aside my sanity and embrace my feelings for Jax and save him from turning into a pumpkin forever? Or will Jax’s curse break more than just my heart?"]

Oh. My. Gourds. That was sweet and fluffy and utterly ridiculous! It was cheesy as hell, in the fairy tale kinda way. But it was all about love and acceptance and being a better version of yourself. 

And Halloween lore. Lots of Halloween lore. And some apple lore…I wonder if there’s more to this universe that these two wrote..TBR TBD. 

#grr #arcs #arcteammember
#trickortreat #arieldawn #ajmullican #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Tuck Everlasting: Graphic Novel

I was doing SOOO good at not requesting too many ARCs and getting overwhelmed and reading them at the very last minute..and here we are. Here's Natalie Bobbitt's "Tuck Everlasting." This graphic novel version is illustrated by K Woodman-Maynard.

["Celebrate Tuck Everlasting’s 50th anniversary with the stunning graphic novel adaptation of this beloved and spellbinding children’s classic that has sold more than 10 million copies.

What if you could live forever?

In this timeless story about immortality, friendship, and growing up, young Winnie Foster learns of a hidden spring in a nearby wood and meets the Tuck family, whose members reveal their astonishing discovery of the spring’s life-changing power. Now Winnie must decide what to do with her newfound knowledge―and the Tucks must decide what to do with her. But it’s not just the curious girl who is interested in their remarkable tale. A suspicious stranger is also searching for the Tucks, and he will stop at nothing until he finds them and uncovers their secret.

From Newbery Honoree and E. B. White Award winner Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is a modern-day masterpiece that has been a staple on home bookshelves and in classrooms and libraries for half a century. Drawing closely from the original text, it is now brought to visual life in K. Woodman-Maynard’s gorgeous watercolor artwork. The perfect book for new readers and long-devoted fans alike, Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel is sure to be an all-time favorite for every generation."]

I didn't remember a lot of this book from when I read it a few years ago. This graphic novel was a beautiful refresher. Just like in Peter Pan, one of the messages in this novel is the life isn't worth living if there's not a possible end in sight. You can see everything, do everything, learn everything, meet everyone, but what's the point if there is not end? The circle of life needs to be completed or it's not a circle, and if it's not a circle/cycle, then it breaks apart and ruins so many other circles/cycles. 

And, though I remember why Winnie made the choice she did, I'm a romantic at heart. I still almost wish she made a different choice.

This adaptation was beautiful! It was filled with glorious watercolors that truly captured the beauty of nature, which I do remember was oh so prevalent in the original novel. 

#netgalley #arcs #arcteammember
#tuckeverlastinggraphicnovel #tuckeverlasting #nataliebobbitt #kwoodmanmaynard #graphicnovel #queergraphicnovel #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Dracula's Brunch Club

I was doing SOOO good at not requesting too many ARCs and getting overwhelmed and reading them at the very last minute..and here we are. Here's Brian Gonsar and Keenan Gaybba's "Dracula's Brunch Club."

["Count Dracula is not your average vampire. Well, sure, he’s undead, hates garlic, and will burn up in sunlight—but unlike other vampires, he has a knack for baking. And it’s his brunch club’s famous blood-orange-jelly donuts that give his fellow vampires the energy source they need to live forever. But when Transylvania experiences a mysterious jelly shortage, it allows his nemesis, Constantine, to swoop in and steal the brunch club—and the vampires’ loyalty—from Dracula. But it’s not just jelly donuts at stake. When townsfolk start to go missing, Dracula suspects Constantine has far more sinister motives lurking that could threaten everything vampires and humans have worked for. With the help of his chef and human friend, Elena, Dracula must find a new energy source before every vampire and human turns on him and he loses his coveted brunch club forever."]

And, because life is just like that, Kevin Jonas wrote the foreword for this book!

"Constantine is not one to be taking lightly. Neither is a girl with donut cravings." Truuuuth.

Okay, this book was fucking adorbale. It was about friendship and acceptance. But it was also completely and utterly filled with puns and bad jokes. I loved it!

It was definitely a journey. Some things made sense. Some were a little off-the-wall. But it was honestly adorable. A killer for all ages.

#netgalley #arcs #arcteammember
#draculasbrunchclub #briangonsar #keenangaybba #graphicnovel #queergraphicnovel #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Zero Pucks

Here's EM Lindsey's "Zero Pucks."

["Sometimes what happens in Vegas shows up at your door two weeks later to tell you that he’s the guy you married while you were blackout drunk.

Waking up alone in a strange hotel room, missing my prosthetic legs, and no memory of what happened the night before is not how I wanted to spend my estranged twin’s bachelor party trip.

Yet there I was, legless and zero idea how I got there. Or who I spent the night with. Which is…not great.

Though I suppose that trauma lies somewhere between losing my legs in a car accident which killed my career in the NHL, and my brother running off with my fiancée.

So, in the grand scheme of things, not the worst weekend I’ve had.

But while I’m no longer a bitter, angry man, I’m also maybe—kind of, sort of—not the most well-adjusted person on the planet. And that shows when an adorable, dimpled, wild-haired man shows up at my door to tell me that the hazy night in Vegas had a very specific

At some point, after several chocolate cake shots and trauma dumping, Amedeo and I found Elvis and got married.

The easy thing to do would be to make sure the marriage isn’t valid. But when have I ever made anything in my life easy? Especially since the incentive is getting to keep this man in my orbit.

We might have had the weirdest beginning of any married couple, but now I’m feeling strangely determined to give us both the happily ever after we deserve."]

God, this story was beautiful. It was all about found family and love and acceptance and overcoming self-hate and becoming your own person and overcoming trauma and growing into your own. It was about friendship and peace and happily ever afters. It was about cutting toxicity out of your life. 

I loved these two! They were dorks, utterly enamored and totally in love. There were heart eyes and butterflies and everything! It was adorable and perfect!

And a great set up for a whole series. Lots of equally as dorky people eager to fall in love (and drama—so much drama).

Trigger Warnings: abusive relationship (not between MCs) mild violence, ableist language, ableism, car accident leading to permanent injury, cheating (not between MCs), and more.

#grr #arc #arcteammember
#zeropucks #puckedup #emlindsey #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Thrashers

SO many ARCs and just not enough time. Here's Julie Soto's "The Thrashers."

["Either you're in or you're out.

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet."]

Friend groups are hard, especially when there is an odd number of people. Someone is always feeling left out. There are so many secrets and pasts and Feelings. I frequently felt left out of groups in high school; then again, thats just a fact of high school, feeling left out, no matter the truth in the matter.

I did really appreciate how this book grabbed my focus and kept it. There hasn't been a ton of mysteries lately that did that. Even if a lot of the driving force of this novel was the feelings of inadequacy and abandonment.

There was a thread of romance, which I obviously loved. Especially since it was from a place we didn't expect. That subplot grew so steadily and perfectly. Well, almost perfectly.

I loved the sheer number of plot twists. Though, I also kinda hated a few of them. Wish that it would have effected the plot and the characters more. Then again, I got a little soft on a few of them and maybe they didn't deserve soft. A few of them definitely didn't deserve soft.

Trigger Warnings: suicide, alcoholism, abusive parents, bullying, and more.

#netgalley #arc #arcteammember
#thethrashers #juliesoto #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Fast Break

Here's Aria Clark's newest book, "Fast Break."

["JT
Moving from a tiny country town to the big city is tough enough. Throw in the fact I’m smack bang in the middle of my senior year and let’s just say it’s been an adjustment. Making the Division 1 basketball team alongside my ultra-popular cousin certainly helps though. As does the fact all the girls seem to be looking my way twice. Sounds pretty good, right?

But here’s the thing. See, there’s also this guy. His name’s Quinn. I’m not sure what it is but there’s something about him and that something means I tend to look at him. Like, all the time. It may have something to do with the way he wears our school uniform that seems to make my mouth go dry.

Quinn is everything I’m not – super intelligent, effortlessly classy and on his way to law school. We have nothing in common, and I’m pretty sure he’s allergic to sport. Besides, he’s never even noticed me.

But then we’re paired up for a science project and I suddenly have his full attention. And his attention? Let’s just say it’s sending me places I have been trying really hard not to go.

I can’t be myself at home. But Quinn gives me a safe place to let me see who I really am. And he makes me want more. Makes me want him. Makes me want to risk everything. I want him to be mine – but am I ready for that?"]

This book was so soft and sweet! There was so many blushes and shy smiles. The friendship was so honest and open, and their relationship just grew onto that. It was adorable as hell!!

Of course, there were jealous almost-overs, jealous best friends, generally all-around uneducated (I speak what I hear from my parents) high schoolers, homophobic parents, and more. It wasn't 100% easy for them, but they made it work. 

BUT there was virtually zero angst between these two. They were just...perfect. They communicated, they were open and honest. They cared so deeply. It was just...soft and sweet.

Trigger Warnings: homophobic (religious) parents, and more.

#grr #booksprout #indieauthorcreative #arc #arcteammember
#fastbreak #ariaclark #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Who Said Execs Couldn't Be Hexed? (Mobster Mayhem #3)

Another day, another ARC. Here's Aria Clark and JF Miev's "Who Said Execs Couldn't Be Hexed?". It's the third novel in their Mobster Mayhem series.

["HEX
Having a crush sucks. Harboring one on your dad’s stuck-up best friend, who is the grumpy Chief Security Officer of the Akiyama Group, is a nightmare.
But hey—I’m Sudo Hex, Japan’s number one genius hacker. He can play hard-to-get all he wants, but I don’t give up easily.
The luxury cruise where billionaires and corrupt politicians are gathering because of their nasty new drug will be my playground, right before we crash their party and stop their evil plans.
Forced proximity? Check.
A mystery we have to solve together? Check.
An opportunity for me to show him how reliable and responsible I am despite our age difference? Check.
Potentially dangerous situations that he has to save me from? Check, check, check.
I’ll make this mission a success, and my reward is walking away with a boyfriend.

ARAN
I should’ve never agreed to take Hex with me on this cruise. My mission is my priority and with the stakes as high as they are, a distraction is the last thing I need.
Especially one as stubborn and charming as him.
As an executive at a mafia organization, failure isn’t an option for me. But my duties aren’t the only thing hanging over my head. Years ago, I made a promise to my best friend who died in the line of duty—no matter what, I would watch over the son he left behind.
I’ve done my best, but the little shit just won’t leave me alone. He’s no longer a kid either, but he still professes his love for me every chance that he gets. I’ve shut him down countless times, yet he never gives up.
It’s annoying, exhausting too. There is no ‘we’ in the picture.
And yet, no matter what crazy things he asks of me, I just can’t find it in me to say no."]

The secret (not so secret) feelings, the push and pull, the sexual tension, the protectiveness, the fluffiness, the history and the future. It was all SO good!

I loved and hated that you didn't know who to trust (besides our men). It was fun and trippy and just enough mystery to add the perfect amount of tension to an already tense series. The romance (which we all saw coming from book one in the series) was just a perfect little cherry and a bow and just the star of the show. It was a well balanced book all around.

Trigger Warnings: mentions of death of parents, violence, mafia/conspiracy, mild & not too graphically explicit human trafficking & experiments (setting), abuse of power, sexual predators (evil side chars), and more.

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

May's Book Shape Challenge 2025

Here's May's Book Shape Challenge! A round and hefty manatee, the floating potato of Florida, a cubby little mermaid. My favorite animal in honor of Endangered Species Day.

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

Baldr's Secret Mate (Mated to the Viking Alpha #3)

Here's Blake R Wolfe's "Baldr's Secret Mate." It's the third novel in the Mated to the Viking Alpha series.

["The mage trapped by a magical shield has been my best friend for nearly a decade. But he doesn't know his destiny is to kill my family. Or that he's my mate.

Baldr
I met Mist the day he arrived in Fenris. It's hard to ignore magic like his when I thought I was the only mage in town. We became fast friends and it wasn't long before I realized he was my mate. But he's being held captive by the enemy, and tortured so that he can be used as a weapon against me and my family. I want to be with him, to tell him I love him. But I've seen the future and my visions are never wrong. Mist will be the one that gets me killed.

Mist
I've been trapped in this magical bubble for almost a decade. Stolen from a home I can barely remember and tortured by a crazy werewolf to do his dirty work, I'm all alone in this world. Except for my best friend, Baldr, who makes it all tolerable. Being a witch too, he understands me on a level nobody else can. But recently I've been realizing how much I care for him. In fact, I think I love him. I'm not sure if it's because I don't know anything else or because he's actually the guy for me. All I know is that I don't want to ruin our friendship. If he leaves, I'll be all alone again. However, I'm a danger to him. I still can't control my magic and it's only a matter of time before it consumes me. When that happens, I want him as far away as possible."]

Oh. My. Goddess. Yes. All the yes.

I loooved these two! They were so cute and protective and adorable and all in. They just wanted the best for people and a happily ever after. They wanted freedom and family and love. 

We also got the finale to the whole series in this novel. The heroes finally won, and the villain was finally defeated (spoiler alert??).

I now gotta add Blake to my Author To Binge list..

Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, manipulation, kidnapping, animal death, and more.

#thorsunexpectedmate #lokisenemymate #baldrssecretmate #blakerwolfe #matedtothevikingalpha #matedtothevikingalphaseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Loki's Enemy Mate (Mated to the Viking Alpha #2)

Here's Blake R Wolfe's "Loki's Enemy Mate." It's the second novel in the Mated to the Viking Alpha series.

["He’s my sworn enemy. And my heart's desire.

Loki
I left my pack and my brothers to get revenge on the werewolf that murdered my father. My plan was to kill his son, drawing his fury. Then I could get the job done once and for all.
But when fang meets fang during our fight, the earth opens up and swallows us both. Now I’m stuck in a never ending cave system with the son of my most hated enemy. And the worst part? I’m certain he’s my mate.
If I cross this line, there’s no coming back. But if I don’t, how will I live with myself?

Heimdall
My father is being hunted and so am I. We’re just trying to save our kind, that’s what I’ve been brought up to believe. I have to protect him at any cost for the future of our pack.
When my father turns his back on me, both Loki and I tumble into a cave system. Hurt, alone, and betrayed by my own father, Loki is the only comfort I have. I can feel the bond between us and despite all my upbringing, I know I can trust him. Now if he’s just let me through that bristly exterior of his.
Despite it all, loving Loki comes easily for me. But we’ll both have to betray our families if we want to be together."]

Enemies to lovers (with a whole lotta gay panic in there).

Quote of the Day (not because its romantic or anything, just a gay panic) (Heimdall): " That was the only possible explanation. I didn't fall down a hole and turn gay." 

But I loved them. It took a while to build the trust, but at the same time, it just felt right to trust each other. Without each other, they both would have died in that cave. That cave also gave them the (forced proximity) space to get to know one another, to grow that bond, to fall in love.

Of course, this book ended on a major cliffhanger (for the series--these two where a definite HFN).

Trigger Warnings: violence, speciesism, and more.

#thorsunexpectedmate #lokisenemymate #baldrssecretmate #blakerwolfe #matedtothevikingalpha #matedtothevikingalphaseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Thor's Unexpected Mate (Mated to the Viking Alpha #1)

Here's Blake R Wolfe's "Thor's Unexpected Mate." It's the first novel in the Mated to the Viking Alpha series.

["He’s a hot redhead in distress and I’m a Viking Alpha werewolf with a pack in turmoil. Even though our romance is forbidden and he’s a man, no wolf can resist the call of his fated mate.

Thor
I’ve always trusted the visions of my brother and when he told me to run, I didn’t hesitate. The Skoll pack, led by the ruthless Alpha who killed our father, is out for blood. But when I shifted and took off into the woods, I never expected to find an injured human with red hair and a pair of green eyes that could seduce me with a glance.
Against my better judgment, I secretly took him back to the hot springs my pack operates. There I made the biggest mistake of my life by kissing him in a moment of weakness. And now I’m not sure I can ever let him go. But I’m still keeping secrets from him.
However, when the Skoll leader sets his sights on my new mate, I fear I might lose him forever.

Flynn
I moved to Fenris to take care of my grandmother and to get away from the uncertainty of the city. But the mountain she lives on holds its own dangers. When I accidentally end up off the path after dark, the last thing I expected was to take a bad step and break my leg. Then, when a hulking wolf with glowing yellow eyes finds me in the dark, I’m not sure I’ll survive the night.
The next morning I wake up in a resort, cared for by a hulking man who speaks little but cares for me day and night. I’m impatient to get home to my grandmother, but he won’t let me leave until I’m healed. When I try to run away, he rescues me again and kisses me, forging a bond between us that I can’t resist.
But, the closer I try to get, the more he pulls away. He’s hiding something and I’m going to find out what it is."]

Oh. My. Gooooodess! This book was fabulous. It was partially crack, but it was also just...an awesome mishmash of secrets and folklore and shifters and Vikings and love and forbidden romance and fated mates and revenge. 

Flynn was utterly perfect for Thor, and vice versa. They were both protective and possessive and obsessed. Flynn was funny and sassy; Thor needed some light in his life. Thor was serious and filed with direction; Flynn needed some (direction).

I'm obsessed. OBsessed! 

I can't wait for the rest of the series.

Trigger Warnings: violence, stalking, and more.

#thorsunexpectedmate #lokisenemymate #baldrssecretmate #blakerwolfe #matedtothevikingalpha #matedtothevikingalphaseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Demon Boss' Baby Load (Babies for Broken Dads #2)

Here is Anna Wineheart's latest: "Demon Boss' Baby Load." It's the second novel in her new series, Babies for Broken Dads (which is a spin-off series from her Closet Baby Chronicles series...which is also a spin-off series).

[""Demon boss seeks assistant to help take a load. Off my shoulders, I mean."

Duke is on the edge, and not a fun one. Between being a CEO, a firefighter, an animal shelter volunteer, and a foster dad, he's unraveling at the sides.

He needs someone to help take his load.

His butler puts in a personal ad for him... and messes it up completely. On purpose.

His new assistant Nat is a chubby single dad who's missing three fingers, and he's expecting to take... a different kind of load.

Duke doesn't have time for relationships. He has time for 'stress relief', though. Until one 'load' goes wrong, and on top of worrying about his foster kids, he now has a baby on the way..."]

Ummm yes. All the yes. Then again, why am I surprised? This series in inherently fabulous, so why wouldn't this book/couple be as well?

I loved how open and loving these two were. IT was sweet and kind and slightly possessive. It was all about being/feelings safe and having a big, happy family. Their only obstacle was an outside source. Besides that, it was a relatively easy love story. 

Just accidentally swearing in front of babies...a lot. Then again, Nat was really great at putting his foot in his mouth (not that Duke minded).

Trigger Warnings: jealous coworker, violence, past domestic abuse, brief fat-shaming, kidnapping, and more.

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

End Game (Brooklyn Kings #2)

I was doing SOOO good at not requesting too many ARCs and getting overwhelmed and reading them at the very last minute..and here we are. Here's "End Game" by Felice Stevens. It's the second novel in her Brooklyn Kings series.

["In a world where winning is everything, without each other, it means nothing.

The first time I see Brody “Blink” Martin in the locker room, I fall hard.
Big blue eyes, ripped abs…let’s just say there’s a reason the position is called tight end.
But I’m Devlin “Devil” Summers—star quarterback, ladies’ man…and closeted.
So I look but don’t touch.
With the National Championship ours, I take a chance and kiss him.
And when he kisses me back, I’m winning for the second time that night.
From that moment on, we know we’re meant to be together.
Different teams and schedules can’t keep us apart.
Ten years later, we’re both playing for the Brooklyn Kings.
Super Bowl champions.
More in love than ever.
Still hiding who we are.
Then I’m forced to make the decision of a lifetime:
Football or love.
My end game is both."]

It took me a while to start this book. I don't loooove the Sport Or Love aspect of many sports romances; it always comes with so much angst and a good deal of homophobia (and general hate).

But this story was soooo heavy on their relationship, on their love, on the life they were building together. It softened the edge of the angst. That doesn't mean it was easy. There was always toxic people or new contracts or a little sliver of doubt. But they were each other's end game. 

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, toxic masculinity in sports, toxic parents, sports injuries, and more.

#grr #arc #arcteammember
#badidea #endgame #falsestart #felicestevens #brooklynkings #brooklynkingsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Sugared (The Art of Love #6)

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

["The Art of Love is having the wrong numbers, but being in the right place at the right time…

Leland Page counts himself lucky to have been given the job of running Hawthorne House’s increasingly busy kitchen and teaching cooking and baking courses at the arts center. He feels like he has to prove himself to Robert Hawthorne to keep his place, so when he finds his former best friend’s brother in severe distress and brings him home, he isn’t sure whether Ean Jones will make him or break him.

Kicked out of his parents’ house for being gay, Ean knows he’s in trouble. All he has to his name is a lottery ticket and hope. So when Leland comes to his rescue, he’s ready and willing to do anything for his new hero. But he didn’t imagine that would mean helping Leland create the most magnificent Valentine’s Day feast Hawthorne House has ever seen!"]

I remember reading this book when it was a short story in "Candy Volume 2", a charity anthology, but somehow, even it didn't really change, it was even better with the Art of Love themed cover.

I loved these two both times. They were sweet and kind and patient. They were dedicated to being happy and finding a place to belong (of course the Hawthorne House was the place--any artsy queer individual (or accountant) is welcome).

It might just have been a taste of the Hawthorne crazy, and these two night not be Hawthorne by blood, but it was still so utterly perfect!

Trigger Warnings: homophobic parents, and more. 

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

The Bone Collector (The Watch #1)

I've been putting off this series for a while...and now I can't remember why. Here's Onley James's "The Bone Collector." It's the first novel in her series The Watch, which is a spin-off series from Necessary Evils.

["Park Chen has spent most of his life as a killer—a deadly, deep cover operative known as the Bone Collector. Now, he’s been benched. Reassigned as an instructor at Project Watchtower, he’s tasked with training a school of psychopathic assassins while trying to keep a promise to his friends.

Gift Ayutthaya isn’t treated like a gift at all. If anything, his parents treat him as a burden, though a spoiled one. After an attempt on his life, they pass that burden onto someone else. Park. The man Gift’s been fantasizing about for years. A man who sees him as an adorable but incompetent distraction.

It’s no secret that Gift doesn’t belong at the Watch, but Park’s made a vow to keep him safe. Gift has made a vow, too. He’s going to use every weapon in his arsenal to find a way to seduce Park and make him love him, once and for all. Or die trying.

Loving Gift was never the issue—Park’s already there. But assignments at the Watch aren’t optional. To stay, Gift has to prove himself, something Park just can’t allow. Can Gift get Park to see that, when it comes to murder, Gift is aptly named? Or will he be relegated to the sidelines in both school and in love?"]

It took me forever to read this book, and I'm not entirely sure why.

I LOVED Gift. I agree with Payton and the rest of the psychopathic gang, he needs protected at all costs (all of them). And who better to protect him than a bunch of psychopaths who think he's a cute pet? Oh? His soon-to-be-boyfriend? All the yes.

Park tried really fucking hard to keep himself in check and not cross any lines. It's just that Gift tried harder to cross the lines and make Park loose his control. And to think Park thought Gift was all innocence and blushes. 

There were quite a few memorable/mentionable quotes, but here's one we all feel: "I wanna be a Mulvaney when I grow up." Or married to one. ;)

Trigger Warnings: assault, past loss of a child, well-deserved violence, and more.

#thebonecollector #thesineater #thewatch #thewatchseries #necessaryevils #necessaryevilsseries #onleyjames #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Ensnaring Their Rabbit (Heat, Prey, Love)

Here's Jacey Davis's latest: "Ensnaring Their Rabbit." It is a part of the Heat, Prey, Love multi-author series.

["May the Gods have mercy on anyone who tries to take our mate from us...

My twin brother Reeve and I have called Western State Penitentiary our home for the last ten years, and that’s not changing any time soon. We’ve made our peace with that and have grown used to our lives in the only prison in the country that can hold alpha predator shifters like ourselves.

These collars might keep us from shifting and using our alpha abilities, but even the ones in charge know they must do something to help curb our predatory instincts, or they’d have a major problem. So, they hold quarterly hunts. The prison is locked down, our collars are turned off, and some unfortunate omega prey shifter is dropped in our midst. The poor thing never stands a chance.

Reeve and I are tired of these games and have no intention of playing. But then the scent of the newest prey hits us, and we immediately know he’s our mate.

Nothing will stop us from protecting our sweet little rabbit. It doesn’t matter who comes for him and what they try to do. Brynn is ours to care for, ours to protect, and anyone who tries to get in the way, all we have to say is, “Bring it.”"]

I fucking LOOOVED this book. It was dark and twisted and a little dystopian, but it was somehow still so perfectly sweet. It was obsessive and possessive and protective and alpha-y. It was soft and submission and filled with trust. 

But it wasn't easy. They had far too many obstacles and enemies to get through before their HEA. 

Trigger Warnings: borderline-dub-con, trafficking, attempted assault, sickness, violence, and more.

#ensnaringtheirrabbit #jaceydavis #heatpreylove #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Shapeshifter's Secretary (Charmed Away Temp Agency #3)

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

["All Tony wanted was a job that didn’t make his life harder. Being a temp should have made it easier, let him pick jobs that he was comfortable with, but bills needed to be paid and he didn’t have the luxury of turning jobs down. So when his boss offers him what sounds like the perfect job, he’s afraid to hope he’s finally found his place. After all, the job is only temporary. They wouldn’t want to keep someone like him. Right?

Taron was starting to think he was the problem. Why else would he have gone through three secretaries in a matter of weeks? Granted, he had issues staying put and he was known to make the occasional prank, but he wasn’t that bad! So after Avery goes out of his way to find someone know, Taron promised to behave. And when he meets the newest addition, he’s determined to keep that promise. Tony calls to him in a way no one else has before, and for once in his life, he wants to stay put. But when a past mistake starts looking in Tony’s direction, he realizes behaving might not be enough. Right?

Zephyr would admit to no one that he was still in love with his ex. So when there’s an opportunity to work with him, he makes up an excuse and pretends he’s only there for the project. Except Taron has his eyes on another, and it only took one conversation to figure out why. Tony is sweet and earnest, and in sore need to be taken care of. It wasn’t possible to have them both. Right?"]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["good things come in threes, Tony has a tragic backstory, Taron wants to cuddle him, old rivals make a reappearance, Taron calls in a favor, being around out-of-control incubi is a recipe for disaster, or spicy times, take your pick, sharing is caring, they’ll learn to get along for Tony, healing can be painful, Taron can’t hide from the truth, nobody can hate Tony, guaranteed HEA."]

This one started with some slow burn. Then again, this series was a little slow burn-y. The feelings started relatively regular-burn-y (it's a thing), but the steam took some time. But when it got there? Oh wow, was that steam strong.

The steam and the fluff. There was just so much dedication and protectiveness in this book, from all sides. It wasn't all over-the-top-alpha possessiveness, because that wasn't Tony/Taron/Zephyr. They might not have had the easiest of times (I'm looking at you Taron and Zephyr), but they made it work. At first for Tony, but then for themselves. 

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

How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3)

AHHH! Here's Shannon Mae's latest book, "How to Tame a Hellhound," which is the third book in her newest series Hellhounds of Paradise Falls (which is a spin-off series from Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures).

["Aiden
Apparently, the trauma from being kidnapped doesn’t end when you’re rescued, although I’m doing better. I have a roommate who has become family, and we’ve been adopted by a pack of otherworldly creatures who protect us. I’m still a little jumpy, and most people make me uncomfortable, but baking, therapy, and my daily walks are all helping. The sweet guard dog who follows me around in the woods helps, too. I can tell him anything I want—even how scared I am of my own family. I’m afraid to bring trouble to my new family’s doorstep, but I can’t end up caged again.

Atlas (aka Fluffy)
I have never belonged. I never knew my parents, and I grew up with a pack of wolves. (Yes, I was literally raised by wolves. Believe me, I see the humor in that too.) Wilder found me and adopted me, and I have a pack and a good life. People still make me uncomfortable, though, unless I’m torturing and killing them (only hellbound people—I’m not just some random serial killer). I just like solitude. But there’s something about Aiden that calls to my hellhound, and I can’t help wanting to protect the sweet human. I’ll even put up with being nicknamed Fluffy so long as I get to stay close to him. When I find out he’s in danger, I know I can’t sit back any longer. The only problem? How will my traumatized human react to finding out I’m not just a guard dog?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["Both characters have tragic backstories and need lots of comfort; Aiden loves cuddles and Fluffy is totally cuddle material; Atlas kind of likes being called Fluffy by his human, but he’ll maim anyone else who tries it; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them."]

I loved these two! They were messy and chaotic and beautiful and communicative (eventually) and caring and understanding! It was slow but kind. I loved it!

One of my absolute favorite lines/sections: "He turned into Fire Fluffy." That entire scene, from the change to Liam's muttered "jealous" comment to Aiden continuing to repeat it to Fluffy's puppy eyes. It was perfect on soooo many levels!

The plot twist in this?!!!?! Shannon continues to absolutely amaze me with her skill!! 

I can still envision at least 2-4 more books in this series...not to mention the conclusion of Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (who's the angel setting up so many mate matches!?!). SOO many books and not enough time. I neeeeeed them all now (like, right now (please?)).

Trigger Warnings: discussion of torture, discussion of past trauma including violence and sexual assault, past kidnapping, past abandonment, toxic family, violence, implied abusive relationship, and more.

#howtoflirtwithahellhound #howtohackahellhound #howtotameahellhound #howtotrustahellhound #hellhoundsinparadisefalls #hellhoundsinparadisefallsseries #shannonmae #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventures #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventuresseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks