Psychopath (Behind Bars #2)

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's Louise Collins's "Psychopath." It's the second novel in her Behind Bars series.

["No two criminals are alike, and Quinn knows this more than most. After months of stress and pleading, his study has been approved. His participants all reside under one Greenwood Prison.

The men sitting opposite him have done awful things, but Quinn’s not there to judge; he’s there to work through a psychopath checklist.

He needs psychopaths for his study, and one participant fills him with more unease than the others.

Zane Black wears many faces, and Quinn has a hard time finding the real man behind the masks. He flirts, he manipulates, and boasts. He’s clever and takes control of their sessions. With all Quinn knows about psychopaths, he can’t stop his heart being seduced by this one.

When the study finishes, will Zane let Quinn go and move on, or will he leave Quinn with more questions?"]

Literally how was this as sweet as it was?! So fucking sweet but so fucking forbidden and dangerous and unethical and so utterly adorable in all of the ways.

I predicted one or two plot lines, but for the best. For the best best. 

This series doesn’t have as much smut as I predicted (though, that’s understandable), but the tension that is there? Holy hell. It’s potent, it’s so obvious that you wonder how no one else sees it or feels it. The yearning, the chemistry.

Trigger Warnings: legit psychopaths, details about murder, violence, and more.

#freshman #psychopath #rat #butterfly #louisecollins #behindbars #behindbarsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Freshman (Behind Bars #1)

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's Louise Collins's "Freshman." It's the first novel in her Behind Bars series.

["Nate Mathews is a murderer. Alfie doesn’t know the details of his crime, and he doesn’t want to. All he knows is Nate Mathews is evil, and his colleagues at Larkwood prison shudder at his name.

But Alfie has caught Nate’s eyes, and they start flirting in the early hours. It’s forbidden, terrifying, but arousing too. One whisper of ‘Freshman’ from Nate, and Alfie’s stomach flutters, and his pulse increases. Alfie knows if he reads Nate’s file his attraction to the criminal will turn to disgust, but he can’t bring himself to do it. He likes Nate. Nate makes him feel wanted, and that’s a first for Alfie.

Is Nate genuine? Or is Alfie destined for heartbreak?"]

Didn’t think I’d root for a character like Nate so damn early in the book when we really didn’t get any of his redeeming qualities yet…but here we are. Then it got worse (here’s me telling Alfie he’s an idiot for not trusting the triple-murderer, while I’m sobbing). 

God fuck, this book was all kinds of anxious, but not for the reasons you’re thinking. 

But don’t worry, even with all of the crying and angst, there’s a very well earned HEA.

Trigger Warnings: violence, talk of murder, very bad men on both sides of the law, mention of rape, and more. 

#freshman #psychopath #rat #butterfly #louisecollins #behindbars #behindbarsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Oxford Blood

SO many ARCs and just not enough time. Here's Rachael Davis-Featherstone's "Oxford Blood."

["Love, Lies, Legacy...High-achieving state-school pupil Eva has one dream – reading English at Oxford. If she gets in, not only will she receive a world-class education at an elite university, but she will be fulfilling the dreams of her mother and gain some independence from her father, the overprotective Inspector Dawkins.

At the same school, Eva's best-friend George is also hoping to go to Oxford. The attraction between him and Eva is undeniable, but they’ve agreed to put any romance on hold until their places at Oxford are secured. Eva cannot be distracted from her goal – although when they are both invited for interview week, their future together feels oh-so close.

Until George shows up dead.

The police rule his death an accident, but the behaviour of some of the other interview candidates has Eva suspecting foul play. When a shocking secret about George is revealed, Eva finds suspicion falling on her. What was meant to be one of the most important weeks of her life is fast turning into a nightmare.

All eyes are now on Eva, including the anonymous posters behind OxSlay, a gossipy social media forum exclusively for Oxford students. But amongst the conspiracy theories, lurk hidden clues. Could they help Eva clear her name - and catch the killer?"]

To be honest, I wasn't sure about this for a while. Really wasn't sure. Eva was a little too whiny and a little too embarrassed by her dad and a little too innocent about the police interviews. She annoyed me so it took some time for me to care about her and her plight. It also took me a while to get into the book/mystery, not sure if it was Eva-related or not. Also, working in admissions, some of the stuff that happened, would never have happened, especially at Oxford. 

The book did pick up though. There were a lot of good characters, lovable and hate-able. Lots of suspects. Many different events that led to George's death to untangle, lots of suspects to eliminate.

The OxSlay app didn't help. Neither did all of the social, economic, race lines to cross and untangle. 

#netgalley #arc #arcteammember
#oxfordblood #rachaeldavisfeatherstone #thriller #yathriller #murdermystery #yamurdermystery #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Dario

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's Victoria Sue's "Dario."

["Dangerous secrets will get you killed. Sometimes it might even be me that's pulling the trigger.

Dario

I'm hours away from finally inheriting my father's legacy. All I need to do is dodge the Russians and the Irish, and put a wedding band on my fiancée. Until the moment I find out my father's best-friend and fiancée's papa ordered the hit that had taken out my parents eighteen years ago.

And my fiancée will step over my dead body as she walks back down the aisle and marry into the Irish Mob. The ones that have promised my future father-in-law he will have everything that is rightfully mine.

Not happening.

Even if I have to light the night sky with the fires of revenge and retribution.

I just need to get married first.

Then miracle of miracles, I find out my traitorous fiancée has a half-brother. An illegitimate one, but one that still fulfills the terms of my father's will, so the territory rightfull becomes mine.

I just have to convince the brother of that.

A twenty-year-old innocent that has been a near slave all his life? Piece of cake.

Or is it?"]

One of the things I love about dark romances are the utterly powerful feelings they have for each other from the very beginning. Even if they want to deny it, it's there and it's strong as fuck. Though...it did ebb and flow. Okay, so the chemistry and the Want didn't change, the trust and the trusting of your own feelings and the trust of the relationship/their feelings kept changing. 

All of that plus the secrets and testing and impending doom were...a lot. Like a lot a lot. It wasn't fun on my end, it sure as fuck wasn't fun on their ends. I wanted to slap Dario upside the head (a few times) and hug the fuck out of Alessandro; then put them both in a room with Nonna so she could intimidate them into talking their feelings out. 

Which is almost what happened, actually.

I wouldn’t mind more from this universe.

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, drugging, attempted kidnapping, attempted murder, human trafficking, blackmail of all kinds, and more

#dario #dariowickedlegacies #wickedlegacies #victoriasue #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Midnight (Dangerous Daddies #3)

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's April Jade's "Midnight." It's the third novel in her Dangerous Daddies series.

["He was a predator… and I loved to watch him stalk his prey.

The first time I saw Elijah Kingston was through a computer screen.

Night after night, I watched him shed his counterfeit smiles and falsely perfect persona. Gone was the family man everyone thought him to be and in his place was one of the deadliest assassins the mafia has ever seen.

It was my job to conceal his violence—to frame others for his crimes and ensure he never got caught.

Elijah never required my assistance but I watched him, anyway.

Obsessively.

Endlessly.

I spent hours tracking each of his movements, learning everything there was to know about him. My fixation was manic, and though we were always miles away, I knew the first time his face filled my screen that he belonged to me.

Elijah was my Daddy…

…he just didn’t know it yet."]

Quote of the day (Silas): “Do. Not. Swoon.” Too bad, kitten, already swooning. 

Hard to choose, but these two might be my favorite. They were a hooot mess, but they were a hot mess together. They fought to be together, but it wasn't that much of a fight. The feelings of love and chemistry and rightness and perfection were instant and stronnng. 

They were fierce and feral and fluffy all at the same time. It was destiny almost. 

And they both swooned. Hard. 

Trigger Warnings: gun violence, virtual stalking, mentions of past childhood trauma, anxiety, self-harm, and more.

#madlove #wildheart #midnight #badreputation #apriljade #dangerousdaddies #dangerousdaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Wild Heart (Dangerous Daddies #2)

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's April Jade's "Wild Heart." It's the second novel in her Dangerous Daddies series.

["He was the man who protected my best friend… but right now it felt like the only person he cared about protecting was me.

I fell for him the second our eyes touched, my palms filling with his blood. Panic held my lungs in its fist, and though I wasn’t the one dying, I couldn’t seem to take in any air.

Then he whispered my name.

Hand on my face, he kept me from drowning. He made me stronger, and when they tried to take him away, I fought to stay by his side.

I was supposed to save him…
I should’ve known he’d be the one to save me."]

Gotta say, characters like Marcos both ruin me and wrap me around their fingers. Sweet and kind and so utterly broken by...life. He wanted to be happy and wear glitter and belong. Ivan took one look, and he agreed to all of that and more (i.e. Hay Hay). Marcos looked back at Ivan and agreed.

Their love was fierce and feral. It was a little insane but soo loving, soo accepting, soo beautiful. It was promises and protection. All of it was just...glorious in the darkness of it all. 

Trigger Warnings: gun violence, graphic descriptions of murder, mentions of childhood trauma, death and accompanying grief, anxiety, and more.

#madlove #wildheart #midnight #badreputation #apriljade #dangerousdaddies #dangerousdaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Mad Love (Dangerous Daddies #1)

Continuing on a dark romance kick...and oddly enough a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's April Jade's "Mad Love." It's the first novel in her Dangerous Daddies series.

["He looked exactly the way I liked him to… dangerous and mine.”

Benjamin Thomas, a billionaire philanthropist and a rumored mob-boss, was everything you expected him to be—dangerous, ruthless, and handsome. When he found me in the dead of the night, sick and asleep inside his locker room, I expected him to shoot me…. or at the very least, arrest me.

He did neither.

Tucked within the pocket of his arms, he carried me home. In a blink, I had a warm bed, a new doctor, and a man who refused to leave my side. The look in his eyes reminded me of a storm. I didn’t know it yet... but it was brewing just for me.

Benjamin Thomas wasn’t a man capable of loving anything but himself… until he met me."]

This book was...beautiful. It was dark and fast and romantic in all of the ways that nonconventional romances are.    

Toby learned about living again, about being happy. Ben learned about using his fucking words. I mean, come on, no one thinks that kidnapping someone and demanding they get better is a romantic gesture (no body but). Some of the things he said weren't..untrue, but he didn't follow them up with "and that effects me and my feelings because...", which really would have helped. Good thing Toby yelled at him until he used said words. Good thing Ben moved mountains (almost literally) to make Toby happy.

Trigger Warnings: violence, on-page kidnapping, mentions of chronic disease, and more.

#madlove #wildheart #midnight #badreputation #apriljade #dangerousdaddies #dangerousdaddiesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Regretting You (Lionheart Academy #3)

Here's T Ashleigh's "Regretting You." It's the third novel in the Lionheart Academy series.

["Tyler-
Some days I wish I’d never met Gregory Baldwin. Then there are days when I feel like I’ll die if he’s away for too long.
It’s like I’m addicted to him. Addicted to the attention he gives me and what he does to me in secret. He has lips made for sin and a body I can’t keep my hands off of, but mostly, I know he has a heart. That’s what keeps me coming back.
Now he’s cruel, malicious, possessive… nothing like the boy I once knew. And yet, deep down, I know that guy is still there under this bad boy exterior. He has to be, or everything we’ve been through is pointless.
Being with him feels like dying and surviving all at once. It’s wild, manic, and soul-crushing, but it’s us. He’s all I’ve ever had and the only thing I’ll ever want.
Because even when I hate him…
I love him ten times harder.

Greg-
I’m broken beyond repair, too fucked up to be saved. My mind fights demons daily, while the shattered organ in my chest only causes me pain.
I wish I could just end it all. Say goodbye to this miserable existence.
Only, to leave this life would mean leaving him, and that’s not something I can do.
Once I made a promise to a boy that I plan on keeping. The years may have dragged us apart, and I know he hates me now, but that’s okay. I don’t blame him; I hate myself, too.
Regardless of the animosity, one thing remains the Tyler.
He’s the constant in a haze of self-destruction. The one who somehow, after everything, is still there for me, no matter how badly I mess up.
I don’t deserve him. I never did, but I’ll never let him go either.
He is mine, and I am his."]

UGH!! D: These two were the worst. In the way that they were the most in love and the most in grief. It was complicated as hell, but they kept coming back together. 

And I kept crying. Sooo much crying! But it was heartbreak from shitty parents, losing a parent, not to mention the friendship and relationship that blew up, all of the betrayal from book one, depressive episodes, drunk confessions, these characters crying. Fuck me, my eyes are sore.

But honestly, this was my favorite book in the series. Seeing how precious and cute and fucking puuure their friendship was, how much they meant to each other, the mutual crushes. The crushing weight of Mary’s death..and how it followed them for years to come.

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, depression, depressive thoughts, loss of a parent, bullying, mental illness, complicated grief, suicidal thoughts, child abuse, alcoholism or using alcohol as a coping mechanism, and more.

#bettingyou #omittingyou #regrettingyou #tashleigh #lionheartacademy #lionheartacademyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Omitting You (Lionheart Academy #2)

Here's T Ashleigh's "Omitting You." It's the second novel in the Lionheart Academy series.

["Rhys:
I’ve loved him since before I understood what love meant.
My best friend, my secret keeper, my defender.
The boy with the glasses and quiet temperament.
The guy with the sweetest smile, who has the dirtiest mouth.
The man who owns me. Mind, body, and soul.
I’m ready for the world to know that he’s mine. To love him out loud.
The problem? Winston isn’t ready. And I’m not sure he ever will be.
Loving Winston was never optional for me.
I want to be his everything, instead, I feel as though I’m disposable to him.
After all, how could I not be when I’m his dirty little secret?

Winston:
Being a Connley comes with certain expectations.
Go to school, take over the family business, marry a woman, and have two point five kids.
So, imagine how life would be if the prodigal son turned out gay?
I don’t want to cause a rift in my family. So instead, I grit my teeth and plaster on a fake smile to avoid dealing with the bullshit.
The problem? I’m completely, unbelievably, devastatingly in love with Rhys Evander.
I know I need to stop hiding. I need to own who I am.
It’s not fair to Rhys for me to keep him on the sidelines, yet fear keeps me paralyzed.
I just hope I have the guts to follow my heart before it’s too late.
Because losing Rhys is never going to be an option for me."]

Honestly, I was looking forward to this one...until I saw who the next one was about. Apparently, I'm also in a hurt-comfort, angsty-as-fuck era. THOUGH, this one was pretty damn good. Even if I somehow cried more in this one than the previous one.

I wasn't sure how the plot or the characters would pull this story along if they were best friends and already in love with each other. The angst. That fucking angst will get you every single time. 

Their love spanned ages with all of the cute pictures and inside jokes and found family. All of the chocolate chip cookies and Lion King references. They fit each other in sooo many ways, if only certain fears (unfounded...but I digress) hadn't gotten in the way.

Honestly, though, the person (people) who knew the entire fucking time and was just cool with it and kept it a secret even while struggling with his own shit? Legend (for now...until I hear what he did/does to Tyler (because we aaallllll know he's going to fuck it up somehow)).

Trigger Warnings: child neglect, child abuse, and more.

#bettingyou #omittingyou #regrettingyou #tashleigh #lionheartacademy #lionheartacademyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Betting You (Lionheart Academy #1)

Here's T Ashleigh's "Betting You." It's the first novel in the Lionheart Academy series.

["Hudson:
I don't have repeats, I don’t do feelings, and I definitely don’t make commitments.
If you come to me expecting your knight in shining armor, be prepared for disappointment.
It’s my senior year, and I want to enjoy my last bit of freedom before following the path my father has mapped out for me.
Well, that was the plan until Ryan showed up and ruined everything.
Fun.
That's all it was supposed to be, a game—just a way to mess with the new kid.
Except, what started as a game quickly turned into me catching feelings.
And what’s worse, he may never forgive me once he finds out.

Ryan:
This year has been chock-full of bad moments and even worse decisions.
The first was when my mom told me she was getting married again.
The second was being shipped off to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere.
The third was thinking I could trust the fuckboys of Lionheart Academy.But the worst of them all was the fourth.
I should have known better. I should have listened to my gut.
Rich boys don’t have hearts.
And Hudson Reginn is no exception."]

What's better than an enemies to lovers? A classic 90s rom-com "I was a bet" plot. Where I cringe and cry. Where we get the anger and the apologies. Where we get the sweetness and the steam. 

It was all so...almost easy. Their feelings for each other were there and undeniable. But their brains got in the way of their hearts for a while there. Ryan knew he shouldn't let this fuckboy into his heart; Hudson knew he shouldn't be having this Feelings with the bet going on. Too bad their hearts won out in this one.

Plus all of the other couples?! Yesss please. 

Trigger Warnings: child neglect, depression, depressive thoughts, anxiety, mental illness, and more.

#bettingyou #omittingyou #regrettingyou #tashleigh #lionheartacademy #lionheartacademyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Little Demon in the Details

Here's Nordika Night's "Little Demon in the Details." Because I'm working on TBR/Beat the Backlog, and I'm in an enemies-to-lovers and dark romance kick. 

["When an arranged marriage between two powerful families sparks suspicion, Blake Carter doesn’t hesitate to take advantage of the bride’s younger brother for answers.

Mercer Bentley Palmerston is an outcast—the pariah of his family—so what better source to get dirt on the Palmerstons than their black sheep?

Intrigued by his lingerie, Blake sees an opportunity to get closer to Mercer, but he has no idea how much trouble he’s invited into his life by taking him in.

Mercer might be a brat, but Blake has no interest in taming him. He's a sly demon with ever-changing rules, a larger-than-life personality, and covers his weaknesses with sharp wit. There’s more to Mercer than his outright refusal to behave, and Blake is the only one who realizes why.

Blake, trained and practiced in all forms of private contracting, has a keen eye for details and reading people, including Mercer. But the brat won’t make it easy for him.

Something isn’t right underneath all the fake Palmerston smiles. Can Blake and Mercer learn to trust one another to get to the source?"]

Obsessed!!! So fucking obsessed with these two! I love how needy and obsessed they both were. I love how soft and possessive they both were. I love how feral and toxic they were. They were both so deeply and hopelessly in love, and they didn't give a single fuck.

I also love how Blake build Mercer back up. It wasn't selfish and it wasn't codependent. It was filled with power and independence and self-reliance. All the while Blake was a wall Mercer could lean on; but Mercer build his own pedestal. It was glorious as fuck. And Blake didn't force him, he gave Mercer the option and the tools to do it himself. I'm swooning.

Not to mention swooning from the fluff and the spice!?!? D: I'm dead. 

Trigger Warnings: panic attacks, ptsd, abandonment issues, neglectful/absent/cruel parents, murder, violence, non-healthy coping mechanisms, and more.

#littledemoninthedetails #nordikanight #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Painful Love (King of Aces #2)

Another series that starts off as enemies-to-lover. Here's "Painful Love," the second book in the King of Aces series by T Ashleigh and Addison Beck.

["Whaley-
My life has been a series of one nightmare after another. Every day is a fight to be stronger as I try to outrun the past that refuses to give me peace. Somehow, I managed to keep myself under control...
Until Bunky messed it all up.
His soul screams to mine in a way that awakens every part of me, even the parts I’ve tried to keep buried. We’re a jagged fit, a match made in Hell, but I can’t have him because together we’d burn the world to the ground.
Bunky doesn’t see that. He’d rather fuel the toxic fire of obsession than give up, and I don’t know how much longer I can hold out before I cave to the demon that everyone should fear.
Including him.

Bunky-
I’m not what most people would consider normal.
Everything in my life is touched by darkness and shaped by my past. Living life constantly on the brink of being swallowed up by the monster that wants to consume me is exhausting, so I drowned myself in vices to try and smother the memories.
Until I realized all I needed was my missing piece.
Whaley flipped a switch in my brain, making me see he was meant to be mine, but he's not letting us be together like we were made to. He’s too worried we'll destroy everything in our path if we give in to the connection that tethers us together.
Good thing I have no problem watching the world burn if it means I get him."]

Sometimes the hurt/comfort is sweet. Sometimes it aches. It aches because they're perfect for each other, because they really do care for each other, because they're hurting themselves as much as each other. Not to mention the pining! D: God, the pining was just as painful.

These two were perfect for each other, to the point of utter, world-burning destruction. Or maybe that was just want the anxiety was telling them. Because, yes, they did have so much emotional baggage and past traumas, but sometimes, when you're crazies match, it's a puzzle piece clicking into place. You have someone to lean on, someone to call your own, someone to keep you save, someone to whisper secrets and fear to. 

Trigger Warnings: drug use, gang affiliations, distribution of drugs, past deceased parents, past parental violence, past murder-suicide, murder, past parental neglect, violence, untreated mental illness, undiagnosed mental illness, torture, mutilation, and more.

#hatefullove #painfullove #sinfullove #kingofaces #kingofacesseries #tashleigh #addisonbeck #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hateful Love (King of Aces #1)

Another series that starts off as enemies-to-lover. Here's "Hateful Love," the first book in the King of Aces series by T Ashleigh and Addison Beck. This story was originally part of the Anti-Valentine anthology but has grown into so much more.

["Silas:
I'm tired of feeling trapped in my life.
It’s just a never-ending cycle of trying to survive the day.
Luckily, I have Blaine to keep me entertained.
We’re enemies but despite him being everything I hate; I’m addicted to him and the things we do in the dark. Somehow, he’s crept his way under my skin, and I’m obsessed with the way he’s making me feel.
I don’t want to admit I’m falling for him—the golden boy—but he’s my perfect match in every way.
He gives me something I never thought I’d have and, even though we’re impossible, I won't let anyone stand in the way of us.

Blaine:
My life is suffocating me.
Perfect son, star athlete, ideal student. I’m overwhelmed—unraveling at the seams.
Until Silas flips my world on its axis.
My dirty little secret.
He’s my perfect escape from reality. I can let loose and feel good for a change. He makes me feel alive for the first time.
But he’ll always be someone I despise. He’s arrogant, the epitome of a bad boy and yet the longer we do this, the harder it’s becoming to ignore my growing feelings. He’s not what I expected, but he’s exactly what I need.
And now that I’ve had him, I refuse to let him go."]

My GOD! All of the feelings. There was soooo much going on but in the best of ways. This book was a rollercoaster of hate and obsession and lust and protection and belonging and love. Sooo much love. It was deeper than, more meaningful than, and more sacrificial than so many "average'" romances. 

I have so very, very many thoughts about this book, so many reactions, so much of my own obsession. But it's all swirling in a cloud of "yesssss" above my head. They were perfect for each other, even if no one saw it. They were both so broken but both so ready to fight for each other. They were both so in need of a break but both so ready to be the rock for the other. It was bold and beautiful. 

An utterly perfect enemies-to-lovers meets dark-ish romance meets golden-boy/bad-boy. It was so many cliches that didn't feel cliched. 

I want the next book, but I'm also just...not ready to move on from these two yet. 

Trigger Warnings: gang affiliations, bullying, panic attacks, anxiety, distribution of drugs, homophobia, emotionally distant parent, incarcerated parent, violence, drugged parent, and more.

#hatefullove #painfullove #kingofaces #kingofacesseries #tashleigh #addisonbeck #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Step-Dare (Peach State Stepbros #3)

Here's "The Step-Dare." It's the third novel in the Peach State Stepbros series by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack.

["TAYLOR
I'm the quiet one.
At a party, I'll be sipping from my Solo cup, hanging by my much chattier best friend Brenner.
Easygoing, all smiles, and hot as hell, Brenner always has his pick of guy or girl by the end of the night.
I do fine, but I don't trust easily, so he's one of the few people who really knows me.
We do everything together—studying, playing video games, and occasionally, ridiculous dares.
Like this latest dare.
I've always considered myself straight, but recently, I've been curious.
And what better way to explore this uncharted territory than with my bi bestie, who, given his long list of satisfied hookups, I know will do the job right.
I expected it to be good.
I wasn't prepared for how it would leave me hungry for so much more, needing Bren to show me what I've been missing out on.
What is it they say? It's always the quiet ones...

BRENNER
What's that saying...never met a stranger?
That's me. I'll talk to anyone, anytime.
It's how Taylor and I became friends, and I'm thankful for that every day.
He's my chill, zero-effs-given, video-game-loving bestie.
Whom I'm now hooking up with.
It's just fun, but then our parents drop the bomb on us that they've been secretly dating.
Oh, and they're in love and getting married in just a few months' time.
As hot as the idea of him being my stepbro is, we agree we should stop our little...extracurriculars...because what if it comes between our parents?
But keeping our hands to ourselves proves easier said than done.
I've become addicted to Taylor, and he to me.
What our parents don't know won't hurt them, right? And it's not like this means anything.
Only...the more we mess around, the more I realize it does.
What started out as just a good time has become so much more, but with everything that's at stake, do we stop now, or do we dare take a chance on what's happening between us?"]

Well, I think we can all say that we're been waiting for this one since the very first book.

This book was a mix of angst and angst-less. The chemistry was obvious and the connection was instant. But the feelings were hesitant and scared of change and filled with soooo much pining. It was cute watching them fall in love, or fall more in love. 

And adding the Peach State Fratbros (spin-off) series to my binge list. 

Trigger Warnings: grief over the loss of a parent, grief over the loss of an infant, one toxic af parent, and more. 

#rileyhart #devonmccormack #thestepbet #thestepdont #thestepdare #peachstatestepbros #peachstatestepbrosseris #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Step-Don't (Peach State Stepbros #2)

Here's "The Step-Don't." It's the second novel in the Peach State Stepbros series by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack.

["ASH
All stepbrothers need Step Don'ts.
Colin and I have ours.
Like, don't pit our parents against either of us. Don't hog the TV. And definitely...
Don't.
Keep.
Secrets.
These rules have done more than help us keep the peace between us.
After all these years since our parents got together, I can't imagine my life without Colin.
To most people, he's the hot, straight tight end for Peach State.
But to me, he's my backward-cap-wearing, football-loving, piggyback-ride-giving best friend and fellow Alpha Theta Mu frat bro.
Life's pretty incredible living together at the same frat house, but suddenly, I find myself keeping a particularly naughty secret.
I tell myself Colin wouldn't want to know what his bi bro does in private, but then why do I feel like I'm committing a huge Step Don't?

COLIN
There's nothing I'm more of an expert in than my stepbro, Ash.
He's a quick-witted, nerd-boy genius who's always there to help a friend cram for a test or capture bugs for me when they invade my space.
He's my favorite person.
Making him happy gives me a rush...but for the first time, he's keeping a secret from me.
When Ash cops to his Step Don't—his new extracurricular of doing dirty things on camera—I'm confused.
He is too, so we work together to figure out why this excites him so much.
In places we're likely to get caught.
After all, what's a little exhibitionism between stepbros?
I didn't even realize I could be into guys—or be so intoxicated by these new experiences—but exploring my bisexuality with Ash is the best thing that's ever happened to me.
And with each touch, each time we up the stakes, I discover I want more than just Ash's body.
I want his heart too, even though that surely must be the biggest Step Don't of all.]

The less the angst, the lower the stakes. At least that's how it felt in this one versus the first novel. They were still adorable as hell and so incredibly in love even before things got spicy. Then again, the lower stress levels were kinda nice.

We got to focus on their friendship and their relationship and one their new-found ..extracurricular activities. Which honestly, Atlas and Troy would have been very proud. Marty? Confused as fuck. Taylor and Brenner??? Well, we'll just have to see. ;)

Trigger Warnings: absentee parents, and more. 

#rileyhart #devonmccormack #thestepbet #thestepdont #thestepdare #peachstatestepbros #peachstatestepbrosseris #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Step-Bet (Peach State Stepbros #1)

Here's "The Step-Bet." It's the first novel in the Peach State Stepbros series by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack.

["TROY
Sometimes I want to punch that smirk off Atlas McCallister’s pretty face.
He’s cocky. A troublemaker. A pain.
And, unfortunately, my stepbrother.
We’ve been fire and kerosene since our parents got together, and to keep from exploding into fistfights, we’ve used challenges, dares, and bets to battle out our differences.
Our past bets have been a little inappropriate—scandalous, even—but Atlas’s latest bet has gone too far.
Do I really believe if he loses, my straight stepbrother is gonna mess around with a guy? And not just any guy: me, his rival and nemesis.
Not a chance.
But if he’s so confident he’s gonna win…well, my big stepbro must not know me as well as he thinks…

ATLAS
I love getting under Troy’s skin.
Mr. Former Prom King. Mr. Heartthrob. Mr. Infuriatingly Perfect. Messing with him is too easy. Too fun. Maybe that’s why I’m a little obsessed with him.
Our latest bet is the perfect way for me to test the bisexual waters, and once I dive headfirst into the deep end, I don’t want to stop.
With Troy. My stepbro.
It was supposed to be just a little fun, yet with each touch, I like him more than I should. It wasn’t supposed to go this far. Now I want Troy to be all mine.
But what we’re doing has bigger consequences than our little step bet, and when the stakes are this high, is it worth gambling our hearts when we know this is a game we both could lose?"]

I love idiots-to-lovers stories...I mean enemies-to-lovers. ;)

These two were adorably in-hate with each other, utterly obsessed with each other, sooo many Feelings just trying to one-up each other/tease each other. It was silly but fun. They both thought so. 

Even if they both had a few things going on, some baggage to work through. They were able to work through it together, helping each other stand taller, helping each other feel more confident. 

Telling all of their friends? Hilarious. Telling their parents? Could have gone better. Then again, that whole mess wasn't on them. 

Trigger Warnings: cheating (not between MCs), addiction, death, mention of suicide, homophobia, belittling/demeaning, and more.

#rileyhart #devonmccormack #thestepbet #thestepdont #thestepdare #peachstatestepbros #peachstatestepbrosseris #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps (Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures #5)

Here's Shannon Mae's "A Beginner's Guide to Sea Monsters, Messenger Angels, and Other Management Mishaps." is the fourth novel in her Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures series.

["Gabriel is the Divine Herald, the messenger of the Lord, the Angel of Revelation… and he's currently losing ground to social media. (Really, how is he supposed to compete with that ticking app?) When the afterlife’s management team forces him into a “professional development partnership” with a demon, Gabriel is horrified—until he meets Leviathan, a sea monster with tattoos, tentacles, and a knack for helping him connect with mortals.

Leviathan has no interest in going back to the underworld. He’d much rather spend his time topside with his octopus sidekick and now, apparently, one very uptight angel. Teaching Gabriel about mortal pleasures—food, coffee, books, and other things (that require less clothes)—is the best adventure Levi’s had in centuries.

But as they both start to enjoy their unexpected partnership, one problem what happens when the leadership team decides the partnership is over? Levi isn’t about to give up his angel, and Gabriel isn’t sure he wants to return to Heaven without his demon."]

And the bonus tags (because they're arguable better than the blurb itself): ["Featuring one grumpy angel and one cheery sea monster demon; accidental stroke of genius from the leadership team (very accidental); Mt. Everest is overrated, but mortal coffee is divine; even angels enjoy a good book; Gabriel discovers the joys of food, and other mortal pleasures (wink, wink); Levi has tentacles, and Gabriel definitely approves."]

Joe!!!!!! Three cheers for Joe! Plus a couple dozen hugs. …and his own HEA? 

And OBVIOUSLY we need Luce and Yah's HEA...which feels as though it's coming sooner and sooner? And maybe a little HEA for our rebels on the management team??

Gabriel and Levi were utterly adorable. Opposites in so many ways, but perfect for each other in every way. They made each other happier, helped each other heal. They grew closer and closer together as they experienced things for the first time, or in love for the first time. And of course, their love helped save the world, as the other couples in this series did.

Loooved Gabriel meeting the other afterlifers in town!!

#abeginnersguidetodeathdemonsandotherafterlifedisasters #abeginnersguidetomistakenlysummoneddemonsandothermisadventures #abeginnersguidetorevengechaosandotherabsurdescapades #abeginnersguidetothecareandfeedingofdemons #abeginnersguidetochristmasmiracles #abeginnersguidetoghostsfallenangelsandotherafterlifers #abeginnersguidetoseamonstersmessengerangelsandothermanagementmishaps #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventures #demonicdisastersandafterlifeadventuresseries #shannonmae #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Holiday Scars (Quinlan Empire)

Here is Deborah Garland's "Holiday Scars." It's a MM novella in her (MF) Quinlan Empire series....might just read this one to be honest.

["Assassins and bodyguards don’t do holiday cheer.
But when you’re stuck sharing a bed with your brother’s best friend, the man you’ve secretly wanted for years, you start to believe in Christmas miracles.

BLADE
I thought my partner Jett was straight. Off limits.
Until the text meant for his brother lands in my phone.
Now I know exactly what he feels when he looks at me.
We’re supposed to be taking a break for the holiday away from the city.
Instead, we’re playing with fire in the woods.
Every glance, every breath, every touch is a risk neither of us can afford.
Because in our world, love is a liability.
All we have on this mountain is our secret.
Our truth about what we are to each other.
But what if I want more?

JETT
I don’t talk about the past.
The foster homes. The violence. The scars.
I do my job for Quinlan Empire and nothing gets rise out of me.
Except my partner, Blade.
He’s my brother’s best friend and the one man I can’t stop thinking about when the lights go out.
But that’s a line I can never cross.
Now we’re trapped together in a remote cabin for the holiday.
And the tension between us is thicker than the snow blanketing the mountain.
Blade is temptation and danger wrapped in one brutal, beautiful package.
When he finally touches me, there’s no going back."]

These two were a mess. Between their feelings, their friendships, their pasts, their futures. They didn't know what they wanted...until a near-death experience (or two--and a Christmas-tree-napping) threw their feelings into harsh relief.  

Trigger Warnings: drowning/near drowning, violence, fights, threats, gun involvement, mentions of torture, dead bodies/body disposal, childhood physical and emotional abuse, past thoughts of suicide, and more.

#holidayscars #deborahgarland # #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

For The Fans

Not sure what I want to read...already. Here's Nyla K's "For the Fans." Something that's been on my TBR for a while....like a whiiillle.

["Kyran Harbor is everything I’m not.

Rich. Popular. A superstar football player who’s awfully broody for someone who has it all. Basically, he’s a preppy jock who hates me. Oh, and he’s also my stepbrother.
That’s right. We’re stuck together, sharing a school, a house… A bathroom. Honestly, I wouldn’t care… If he wasn’t such an uptight control-freak who messes with me just because we’re different.
I had every intention of avoiding him when we got to college… Until abrupt misfortune forces us both into a compromising position.
Now the grouchy jerk I was hoping to evade might be the only person who can help me out of it.

Avi Vega is everything I despise.

A dreamer. A flake. An artist who smokes too much weed and thinks aliens exist. And by some sick cosmic joke, he’s now my stepbrother, following me on what should’ve been my escape plan.
It was already a disaster. Add a sudden financial disruption to the mix, and let’s just say my options are heavily limited.
If I want to stay an all-star quarterback on the way to the NFL, I’ll need to do something drastic. Unfortunately for me, and my desperate desire for control, the perpetually smiling stoner has a plan.
Maybe we can stop hating each other just enough to pull this off. As long as we remember we’re only doing it… for the fans."]

There is just Something about how adding sex to the mix instantly adds feelings. All kinds of mixed up, confusing, beautiful feelings. It's all of the hate with some added jealousy and posessiveness and obsessiveness and pet names and kissing-without-the-camera. Maybe it's the vulnerability of letting down your walls for sexual intimacy also allows your walls to be down for other kinds of intimacy and vulnerability. The feelings came on fast and strong as soon as they got together, even if they were both in deeeeeep denial. 

There's also something about how the way people look at emo/alternative people and assume they're a hot-mess, assume they have baggage and skeletons in their closets, assume they are lonely and depressed and need saving. Versus the way people look at popular, good-looking jocks and assume they have everything figured out, assume they're mentally healthy, assume they have friends and family and plans. Whereas these two have all of that flipped. It's poetic and glorious. 

The sheer AMOUNT of times I almost cried? The angst in this one was so real. The hurt/comfort? Devastating. So thanks for that. Annnd for the actual crying I did. A lot. This book was a devastating roller coaster (I loved it).

Trigger Warnings: mention of childhood sexual assault, mention of sensitive religious topics, detailed trauma recovery and healing, mention of death and grief, mention of suicide, homophobia, internalized homophobia, negligent parents, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and more.

#forthefans #nylak #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Unexpected Company (A Home in You #2)

Starting of 2026 with a short-term TBR list pick. Here's CS Autumn's "Unexpected Company." It's the second novel in the series A Home in You.

["Garrett
Unmotivated and facing the biggest writer's block of my career, my agent sends me to a remote cottage in the hopes that a change of scenery will do me good. It's quiet. Secluded. Cut off from the world. I should be alone with my thoughts and the start of another best seller. But when I walk out of the shower to find someone eating my dinner, saying that he's rented the same cottage for Christmas, it appears my plans for solitude are out the window.

Roman
I’m a disgraced social media superstar, destined to spend Christmas sad and alone, reading the world's nasty comments about me. My best friend insists I take a trip somewhere remote, where the internet doesn't exist and I can take time to let the whole ordeal pass. I expect to find peace and quiet. Just me and my collection of tea and biscuits. What I don't expect to find in the little cottage is the man of my dreams."]

God, I loved them. Both slightly broken in their own ways, lost, lonely. Until a technical glitch (or Santa?) brought them together. Kept together by weather and far too much tea (and shared kinks).

They were adorable and sooo in love from the very beginning. They brought out the absolute best in each other. 

Not to mention some ex snubbing and some seriously perfectly imperfect love declarations. 

Trigger Warnings: mention of parental death, mention of parental alienation due to MCs sexuality, homophobia, mention of vomit, and more. 

#akissfortheholidays #unexpectedcompany #ahomeinyou #ahomeinyouseries #csautumn #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Kiss for the Holidays (A Home in You #1)

Starting of 2026 with a short-term TBR list pick. Here's CS Autumn's "A Kiss for the Holidays." It's the first novel in the series A Home in You.

["Asher
I can still remember the very first day I met Dalton McKenzie and the day I fell in love with him, too. But after an awful party game, I realize that no matter how often he kisses my cheek or holds my hand, he will never love me the same way. Putting space between us seems like the best idea, but when we wind up trapped together in a tiny cabin with only one bed, space is not an option.

Dalton
Asher is my best friend. He's been by my side since we were nine years old, so when he starts pushing me away, I know something's wrong. He's colder than the snowstorm brewing outside our cabin, but it's not until he reveals his biggest secret that I finally understand. With my feelings for Asher clearer to me than ever before, I want to give him the best gift this Christmas.
A perfect kiss."]

The angst was reeeaaal in this one. From both sides. It was also somehow adorable. Asher was utterly Done with his feelings and how they were holding out hope for Dalton. Dalton was hopelessly in love with Asher but blind to those feelings. 

Good thing they got stuck in a cabin during a snow storm. Good thing neither of them can handle the other all emotional and teary-eyed. Good thing they were able to communicate (well...eventually).

This novella was so flushed out and so artfully written that I wished for more, but there wasn't any where to put the more. It was well-rounded from the prologue to the last chapter, even the epilogue was beautifully crafted. 

Trigger Warnings: minor injury to a pet (not life threatening and not detailed) and more.

#akissfortheholidays #unexpectedcompany #ahomeinyou #ahomeinyouseries #csautumn #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks