It All Started With A Text (Queer Ways to Fall in Love #2)

Here's "It All Started With A Text" by Jax Calder. It's the second novel in the Queer Ways to Fall in Love series.

["Nick:

Okay, so making a viral video mocking my celebrity crush's pretentious apartment tour isn’t exactly a strategy for finding love.

And when some random guy slides into my DMs claiming to be Anthony Devine—Grammy-winning pop star, LGBTQ+ icon, and owner of cheekbones that should be illegal—I do what any rational person would do. I assume he's a forty-five-year-old catfish living in his mom's basement.

Except we start chatting and somehow it’s the most real conversation I’ve had for ages. One month and approximately five thousand messages later, AntD has become my favorite person to talk to. He sends me Baby Yoda memes, asks about my assignments and actually listens when I rant about my cheating ex. And it's become our standing joke, him insisting he really is Anthony Devine.

Hilarious, right?

My friends say I need to stop catching feelings for a guy whose real name I don't even know. But meeting him would mean risking everything we've built. Stepping out of our perfect digital bubble. Finally finding out who he actually is.

What if he's not who he says he is?

What if he is?"]

Oh was this story sweet!

It was about building a friendship before a relationship. It was about trust and openness and vulnerability. It was about laughter and friendship and a bond that transcended time zones and probability. 

It also had a very certain fanfic vibe to it that I am SO here for it. I wrote so many of these kinds of things, so many of us did. Seeing some so well written, with so much heart, and so much down-to-earth-ness, one that will hopefully get some serious traction, I'm so happy.

#arcs #arcteammember #grr #gayromancereviews #booksprout
#moderatinglove #itallstartedwithatext #jaxcalder #queerwaystofallinlove #queerwaystofallinloveseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Moderating Love (Queer Ways to Fall in Love #1)

Here's "Moderating Love" by Jax Calder. It's the second novel in the Queer Ways to Fall in Love series.

["What happens when your biggest critic turns out to be your perfect match?

Devin:

I've spent two years defending true love against the internet's biggest cynic.

I'm a moderator for a forum for queer love stories, and my fellow moderator TruthGuardian has been the thorn in my optimistic side. He debunks every romantic meet-cute with spreadsheets, statistics, and enough cynicism to drain the romance from a Nicholas Sparks marathon.

He calculates the exact cost of hoarded grocery items. He fact-checks power outages at Trader Joe's. He thinks love at first sight is just "compatible pheromone profiles." We've turned arguing into an art form, and I know more about this stranger than some of my real-life friends.

But when a cute guy approaches me in a coffee shop, I'm about to learn that sometimes the most improbable love stories are the ones we're already living..."]

My goodness was this adorable! From the little meet-cute stories to the 'real life' meet cute between Devin and Travis. The way they were falling in love via text, bantering (and totally not flirty) about the probabilities and statistics of love at first sight (backed up with spreadsheets filled with data points and percentages--Travis) only to fall in love at first sight. Devin's eternal optimism won that round (and several after).

And you'll never guess which one proposed over breakfast the morning after their first date. 

The story they were "arguing" over in the epilogue is the plot of the next novella in the series...so I'll be there if you need me. ;)

#moderatinglove #itallstartedwithatext #jaxcalder #queerwaystofallinlove #queerwaystofallinloveseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Taboo Caresses (Knot Unexpected)

Here's "Taboo Caresses" by N Slater. It's the newest novel in the Knot Unexpected series.

["Mattaniah
My life exploded when my mother found a new Alpha to occupy her time.
Now, I’m stuck in my own twisted Cinderella story that I’m not sure has a happy ending.
Omega etiquette lessons. A new, overbearing job as my stepfather’s assistant. God-awful stepbrothers who find their fun in tormenting me every free moment they have. And rules. So. Many. Goddamn. Rules.
That’s not even the worst part because I’m fully convinced this Alpha never wanted my mother in the first place. He wants me.
If there’s an end to this hell, I’m not sure if it’s going to be any better. 

Dominic
The new Omega in our lives is too much fun to play with. The way he blushes so prettily and falls apart beneath my brother, Amos, and I’s attention is a new obsession I'll never get tired of.
However, he’s a threat to the life Amos and I have been building – a relationship our father would kill us for. We’re not related, but that wouldn’t change the world’s perception of us, so we’ve kept it secret. Until now.
Until we realized our father’s new woman isn’t his real target.
It’s Mattaniah.
Who just happens to be our mate.
If our father lays a hand on our goddamn Omega, it will be the death of him."]

This book was a fast-paced rollercoaster of emotional and strategy and falling in love and defensive measures and fluffy sweetness and drama on top of drama. Sometimes, it all seemed like a bit..much. But overall, this novel was beautiful.

There was so much angst and pining and spice and adorable alphas falling desperately for a security plan gone wrong (or right?). And horrible parents; so many horrible parents (well, two, but they were just that bad). 

Trigger Warnings: dub-con, childhood emotional abuse and neglect, parental narcissism and manipulation, physical abuse and coercion by parental figure, sexual harassment and unwanted touching by a parental figure, predatory behavior from an authority figure, emotional manipulation, gaslighting, domestic violence, workplace harassment, conspiring with an abuser, panic attacks and trauma responses, self-worth spiraling and internalized shame, financial and emotional entrapment, and more.

#taboocaresses #nslater #knotunexpected #knotunexpectedseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Vigilant (The Firm #3)

Here's the latest from Taylor Lark and Cora Rose: "Vigilant." It's the third novel in their new series, The Firm.

["As the eldest brother and leader of The Firm, I take my responsibilities very seriously. There’s nothing I won’t do to keep my family safe. Staying vigilant, always thinking ten steps ahead, and holding the pieces of my life together with steady hands. Control is everything, because if I loosen my grip for even a moment, the darkness I’ve buried inside will claw its way free.

Everything is stable. Predictable. Safe.

Until Neo.

He’s a distraction I can’t afford but a temptation I can’t seem to ignore. My darkness is drawn to him; it wants to be set free.

And as our enemies close in, Neo becomes the one variable I can’t control… and the one risk I find myself wanting to take. Because for the first time, surrendering to the dark doesn’t feel like weakness.

It feels a lot like love."]

Love at first sass.

Wylder was fucking gone before he knew what was happening. Same with Neo, but Neo at least has the emotional intelligence and self-awareness to know what he was feeling for Wylder. Wylder kept pushing his self-awareness (and monster) back into the "I'm straight" box until the box was obliterated. 

And it was obliterated in all of the best ways.

I'm obsessed with these two. They were pining and punishing themselves for pining. There was so much angst. But at least they didn't make me cry.

On one hand, I'm upset that we're not getting the Harley/Jules story next. On the other, I am not intrigued as fuuuck that we're getting Samson's next. Oh, he's going to fall soo hard, soo fast. Cupid karma with some mixed morals. CanNOT wait for the next one!!

Trigger Warnings: toxic and abusive parents, foster care, murder, violence, blackmail, torture, and more.

#covenant #deviant #vigilant #allegiant #thefirm #thefirmseries #corarose #taylorlark #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Deviant (The Firm #2)

Here's the latest from Taylor Lark and Cora Rose: "Deviant." It's the second novel in their new series, The Firm.

["In my defense, this is all Brad’s fault.

I had one very important job: kidnap Brad.

I’ve never kidnapped someone before but how hard could it be? Find Brad. Snatch Brad. Deliver Brad to the very scary people who hold my fate in their hands.

So when a handsome, flirty stranger at the bar drops his name, I think my luck has finally turned. No chase. No fight. The man practically throws himself in my trunk, smiling like it’s a treat to be taken, like he wants me to have him.

The only problem? “Brad,” the charming and slightly unhinged man I’ve been keeping hostage for days, may be the most dangerous man of all.

Now I’m knee-deep in a life of crime I never signed up for. Tangled up with a man I never meant to take—and definitely never meant to fall for. And I’m staring down the barrel of a gun for mistakes I never should’ve made.

Because everyone knows The Firm never forgives a debt… and they always collect in blood."]

Love at first kidnap. 

I was hooked my the first line(s) of the second chapter. As was Cade. These two were adorable and sweet and flirty and fucked right from the start. It was sooo entertaining to witness. 

Even more entertaining was the family (blood and found) interacting and blending so well (or…well enough). I’m obsessed with these brothers and their craziness. 

Though Cade and Ansel made me cry. A lot. They did get their HEA, with their cute pet names and inside jokes and dirty secrets.

Here’s to the next brother falling hard and fast, idiot head over heals.

Trigger Warnings: toxic and abusive parents, kidnapping, foster care, death of parents, murder, violence, blackmail, torture, and more.

#covenant #deviant #vigilant #allegiant #thefirm #thefirmseries #corarose #taylorlark #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Specter (Crestvale Killers #1))

Here's "Specter" by Mia Monroe. It's the first novel in the Crestvale Killers series.

["He’s my obsession and I own him. Whether he knows it or not.

Colson
Specter is danger personified and pure sex. He tempts me to break my own rules every time he comes into the club, but I’ve learned my lessons the hard way, and somehow I manage to keep my distance.
Until I can’t. When a stalker gets too close, the only place to run is straight to Specter. Instinctively I know he can help me, but am I trading one dangerous man for another?
I’m about to find out.

Specter
Colson’s face is permanently embedded in my mind. His sultry moves, sensual smile, and relentless teasing drives me to the brink of madness and I can’t get enough. He’s hands off, for reasons I don’t understand, and I plan to wear him down until he accepts what I already know.
He’s mine.
And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him."]

For a dark romance and the MC being a serial killer, the MC-serial-killer is a fucking consent king. "Don't touch me." Specter listened. "I need space." Specter listened. “I want you to live for me.” Specter listened. 

Honestly, this don’t feel like a dark romance. If you put Specters occupation, mild stalking, and sudden, all consuming obsession aside. It was delightfully sweet and kind and filled with consent and vulnerabilities and trust.

Though, there were parts that I felt as if I was missing something, a prequel or something. 

Trigger Warnings: homophobic slur, discussion of past SA, descriptions of SA and minors at risk of trafficking, discussions about suicide attempt and drug abuse, graphic violence, stalking and brief physical assault, and more.

#specter #wraith #crestvalekillers #crestvalekillersseries #miamonroe #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Unholy (Park Avenue Kings #6)

Here's Ella Frank's and Brooke Blaine's "Unholy." It's the sixth novel in their latest series: Park Avenue Kings (which is a spin-off of their Park Avenue Princes series).

["He hears my confessions.
Now he can’t unhear them.

I keep showing up to church.
I don’t speak. I don’t confess. I just sit there—close enough to remember what it felt like to be his.

Father Rafael Vitale thinks he can keep this professional.
Measured. Contained. Holy.

I’m none of those things.

I’m Alessio Trentacapelli—the technocrat of the Park Avenue Kings. I live in shadows, break systems, and protect my brothers at any cost. I still believe in God. I just don’t forgive Him for demanding the man I love.

Rafael is discipline and devotion.
I’m want and resentment and everything he was never supposed to crave.

We were boys together. Then lovers.
Then nothing we were allowed to keep.

Now we’re orbiting each other again behind a confessional screen—through silence, ritual, and everything we refuse to say out loud. Every look lingers. Every boundary bends. And every time he tells me no, it hurts worse than the last.

Because the priest with the steady hands and the quiet voice?
He remembers me.

And then we cross a line we both know by heart.

If he makes me choose between losing him again…
or giving in to something we can’t take back—

I already know which sin I’ll commit."]

"'He was my forever. I just wasn't his.'" Sent me from my steady crying to sobbing (steady crying for like MOST of the book, thank you for that). Then I needed a break. A nice, long, chocolate-filled break. I figured this book would hurt, but I didn't know it would break my heart. A break that wasn't all that long, because this might have been devastating, but it was soooo good!

But it was soooo worth it! The fluff and the sweetness and the utterly effect HEAs (and multiple epilogues) were sooo worth the tears. 

Trigger Warnings: slight religious trauma, slight religious homophobia/internalized homophobia, loss of parents, and more.

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

Ruthless (Park Avenue Kings #5)

Here's Ella Frank's and Brooke Blaine's "Ruthless." It's the fifth novel in their latest series: Park Avenue Kings (which is a spin-off of their Park Avenue Princes series). This book and the previous are connected duets. 

["They called him America’s golden son.

Now he’s the man who’d burn the world for a prince.

When Prince Theodore Rinaldi vanishes, Shepard “Shep” Winchester III will do anything to bring him back.

What starts as a mission of duty ignites into a forbidden obsession—one that blurs every line between loyalty and love.

Back in New York, the Kings are under attack, their secrets exposed, their brotherhood fractured.

And when an attempt on Theo’s life plays out in front of flashing cameras, the world sees what they were never meant to: a touch too intimate, a look too raw.

Shep is the son of American power.

Theo is European royalty.

And in a world built on loyalty, betrayal, and lies, love might be the most ruthless act of all."]

Their first book was all secrets and angst and not defining their relationship let alone talking about their feelings. This one was all communication and fluff and sharing secrets and sweetness and obsession and protection. It was all of the heart eyes and hand holding and dirty talk in bedrooms instead of closets. It was French endearments and accidental love confessions and pet names (and dramatic as fuck brothers). 

It was also all about a found family coming back together and continuing to heal and accepting failures and much need apologies. It was vengeance and safety. 

And some much needed heart to heart with a hacker who needs a hug. 

Trigger Warnings: blackmail, threats, violence, secrets, and more.

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

Merciless (Park Avenue Kings #4)

Here's Ella Frank's and Brooke Blaine's "Merciless." It's the fourth novel in their latest series: Park Avenue Kings (which is a spin-off of their Park Avenue Princes series). This book and the next are connected duets. 

["He was sent to watch me. Now he can’t look away.

They sent the president’s son to babysit me.
How precious.

Shepherd “Shep” Winchester III thinks he’s here to keep me in line—keep me quiet, keep me still, keep me safe.

Good luck with that.

I’m Theodore “Theo” Rinaldi, the youngest Prince of Monaco, and the most merciless of the Park Avenue Kings. And I don’t do obedient. Not for my royal family. Not for the crown. And definitely not for the suit King sent to shadow me.

Shep is all discipline and duty.
I’m chaos in a custom suit.

We clash. We combust.
And then we cross a line we can’t uncross.

Now there’s a blackmailer on our trail, a target on my back, and the Kings think I’m the traitor. But if they want to come for me, they’ll have to get through him.

Because the soldier with the perfect posture and the unreadable eyes?
He’s not just protecting me anymore.

He’s falling for me.

And I’m going to ruin him for it."]

They crossed that "uncrossable line" rather early on..and quite a few times. Before the traitor and blackmail business. Before the falling and feelings and "I'm going to ruin him" business (hard to ruin someone when you're also falling and having feelings, Theo, but okay).

These two were, honestly, entirely too entertaining. They weren't soft and sweet or protective and obsessive or push and pull like the other Kings in this series. They were uniquely themselves, while circumstances threw them together, allowing the chemistry that laid dormant explode around them. They flirted and fought and flirted some more until they fell for each other.

Too bad this book ended on a cliff-hanger before they could really, really share their feelings with each other...then again, I knew this book ended on a cliff-hanger, hence why I waited until book five came out to read book four. 

Trigger Warnings: blackmail, threats, violence, secrets

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

The Hazard and The Hitman (The Protectors #1)

Here's Cambria Hebert's "The Hazard and The Hitman." It's the first novel in the Protectors series. This was originally published in the Heart2Heart Anthology (Vol 8) and has since been expanded. 

["Desperate times call for desperate measures, and being in the hospital with stitches in my head and no way out makes me pretty desperate. So I log in to a dating app, searching for a guy willing to pretend to be my boyfriend so I can bust out of this overpriced nightmare.

But what do I get?

Accused of being a prostitute. Talk about a waste of phone minutes.

With plan A a no-go, I move on to plan B. Escape. Except, on my way to freedom, I’m nearly pummeled by a man wearing all black and with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.

When he pretends to be my boyfriend, I’m shook. And even more shook when I discover this is the rude guy from the app.

Turns out he’s not only rude but bossy, irritable, and he keeps calling me a walking hazard. I go along with the lie anyway, thinking I can ditch him as soon as I’m free.

Except that doesn’t happen.

I end up back at his place, eating soup and trying hard not to catch feelings.

Then my apartment is broken into, and I’m running for my life, confused, injured, and with nowhere else to go. Kieran vows to keep me safe, something he seems more than capable of… Which is kinda odd for a real estate agent, right?

As the threat to my life intensifies, I start to wonder if I’ll make it to my next birthday and, more importantly, if trusting Kieran is the deadliest hazard of all."]

When this short story first came out, I was fucking obsessed. I immediately fell in love with both of them, and I immediately wanted more. THIS was sooo worth the wait.

These two were hot fucking messes. Especially our stoic-as-fuck Kieran, hit man extraordinaire, falling in love and becoming utter goo and breaking all of his rules for a stranger with two-toned eyes and a special skill of getting hurt. 

Haz hasn't had it easy. And things just keep getting worse and worse...until a tall, dark and handsome man takes care of him..and then immediately claims he's going to keep Haz forever. It was intense, but Haz wasn't exactly complaining. At any point. He didn't like being coddled (just cuddled), but he was all for the breakfasts and plants and truths and fish.

I canNOT wait for more!!! I'm looking at you Ghost and Rhett.

Trigger Warnings: car crash, hospital stay, violence, murder, foster care, mentions of past abuse, and more.

#thehazardandthehitman #theprotectors #theprotectorsseries #cambriahebert #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Idol (Sacriligious Love #1)

Here's E Baileu's "The Idol" It's the first novel in the Sacriligious Love duology.

["Elior Ransom has never been allowed to be just a boy. To the Covenant, he is the Vessel of Light—sacred, untouchable, born to suffer so the faithful may be redeemed. Every lash across his back, every sleepless vigil, every silent prayer is a reminder that his life does not belong to him. And when unholy longings creep into his heart—longings for touch, for warmth, for love—he punishes himself with prayer until the ache subsides… almost.

Jace Agbayani never expected his latest assignment to bring him here, deep inside the hidden compound of a cult obsessed with prophecy and purity. His mission is infiltrate, observe, and gather enough evidence to bring down Malachi Ransom, the Covenant’s leader. But when he meets Malachi’s son—the so-called Vessel—Jace sees not a holy icon, but a lonely, fragile man who has never known life beyond worship and pain.

What begins as strategy soon becomes temptation. Elior craves Jace’s kindness like forbidden fruit, even as he chastises himself for the sin of wanting. And Jace finds himself risking more than his cover with every stolen glance, every whispered word, every touch he swore he’d never give.

But in a world where devotion is power and betrayal is death, desire is the most dangerous sin of all."]

I gotta say, I was all in very, very quickly. These two had love at first sight, even if neither understood the power or consequences of that love. Elior knew what he was feeling wasn't "right" according to his father and according to the life he grew up in, but he also really started questioning how something so warm and confronting and happy and safe could be wrong. Jace knew his feelings for Elior weren't good for his case or his career, but he quickly put all of that behind him for his little cherub.

These two were cute, even if they were playing with fire (and lives). They didn't have it easy, especially Elior, who knew next to nothing about the world. And Jace probably could have, arguably, went about the last chapter with a little more tact and preparation but....let's blame the FBI on that one. 

On to the next book...where I imagine myself crying. 

Trigger Warnings: religious themes, cult dynamics, distorted interpretations of faith, manipulation through faith, harmful uses of doctrine, MC suffering from long-term narcissistic abuse by a parent, noncon and dubcon, psychopath, physical abuse, violence, unhealthy power dynamics, and more.

#theidol #thejudas #sacriligiouslove #sacriligiousloveseries #ebaileu #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Boss (The Killough Company #1)

Here's MD Gregory's "The Boss." It's the first novel in The Killough Company series.

["Conall Morrissey’s life is pretty bloody easy. He helps his brother take care of the whores at The Exotic Virtue, an exclusive high-end brothel owned by The Killough Company. They might not be earning as much as the other brothels, but if they make ends meet, the Morrisey brothers can get by fine. Until they get a visit from the boss of the mob who owns it, Sloan Killough.

Sloan Killough means business. He’s brash, violent, and tough. He’s the boss for a reason and he doesn’t deal in excuses or exceptions. He visits The Exotic Virtue for a taste of his product, and when he sees Conall, he knows he must have him as his pet. When Sloan demands Conall on his knees, Conall’s horrified. He may be bisexual, but he’s not the guy who takes it. When his brother sells him like one of their whores, Conall has no choice but to submit to their boss if he and his brother wants to live.

Being a whore to a mob boss isn’t what Conall expects. He fights Sloan’s orders at every chance he gets, but the boss seems to enjoy the fights, and has no problem in teaching Conall his place. Conall promises himself he won’t give in, but with each touch and taste, he finds himself addicted to the dark, dangerous man who could rip out his throat the very moment he gets bored of him."]

This book was filled with possession and obsession and desire blinding to reason (the again, if you’re a mob boss, you mad your own reason). It was hate and tentatively approval to hidden meanings and wanting, all giving way to the start of feelings. 

Thai was a strong HFN. To be honest, if I knew that going in, might not have started this series. But I’ve read MDs books before, and I love them. And this book was great. The rest of the series should be great. Don’t love that the newest book (#5) is a continuation of this couple (more angst, more torture, more holding off the Feelings and love declarations). 

Let see if my reading journey takes me thru this series now or to another path (and eventually back here). 

Trigger Warnings: violence, threats, blackmail, trafficking (just guns and drugs), kidnapping, torture, murder, and more. 

#theboss #theprofessional #theassassin #theapprentice #thepet #thekingpin #thebodyguard #mdgregory #thekilloughcompany #thekilloughcompanyseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Talk Nerdy To Me

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Talk Nerdy to Me" by Jett Masterson.

["When alpha football star Matthew Vega is failing his physics class, and it appears that he could miss out on the opportunity to play in his University's upcoming rivalry game, he gets assigned a tutor to help bring his grade up. He's not sure what to make of the beautiful omega who seems to hate his guts for no reason.

When nerdy physics major Miles Tran gets assigned to tutor the university's star football player, he's hesitant to accept the duty. He's got his own past with football players, one that has left him with scars both internal and external. He's unsure what to make of the handsome alpha who seems so different than the horrible abusers of his past.

Little do they know that their meeting is about to change both of their lives in ways they couldn't have foreseen."]

These two were adorable as hell! They were so smitten from the very beginning. They fell fast, but they fell honest. It was all sweetness and communication and spice and honesty and support. They were there for each other, cheering each other on, reaching for their individual and couple dreams. They had the support of sooo many friends and found family members. It was so easy for so long...

Honestly, it really was. There was barely any angst. Some past trauma coming back and battling baggage, but they did it together (and with their entire support system).

Trigger Warnings: toxic parents, emotional/psychological abuse, bullying, physical violence/assault, ptsd, toxic masculinity, and more. 

#talknerdytome #jetmasterson #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

Good Boy (The Boys of Apartment 13 #3)

Here's "Good Boy," the third book in Brianna Flores's The Boys of Apartment 13 series. 

["Good boy Baby Holbrook is unlucky in love...

Baby
I'm a stickler for rules, and for good reason. They keep life simple. Predictable. Safe. My roommates might not agree, but I think they're a necessity. Which is exactly why crushing on the one straight guy in the apartment is a terrible idea.
Logan Matthews is a rule breaker. He's shirtless at inappropriate times, allergic to knocking, and somehow convinced that pretending to be my boyfriend is no big deal. But for me, it most definitely is. Between all the hand-holding and praise, I'm finding it harder and harder to remember this is fake. The kisses feel real, the touches are lingering, and I'm forgetting what it was like to not have this beautiful boy's attention all on me.
There's only one way this ends, but if there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that Logan Matthews is worth the heartache.

Logan
I'm a firm believer that there are some rules that are meant to be broken. My favorite roommate might not agree, but I'm pretty sure I can change his mind.
Baby thinks I can't handle being his fake boyfriend just because I'm straight. He doesn't understand how much I already like being near him. I don't spend my nights watching eighties movies because I like them. I do it because it's the only time he lets his guard down. What started out as a favor he didn't ask for has become the realest thing in my life. I just hope I can convince him I'm worth the risk.
It may be easier said than done, but if there's one thing I know, it's that Baby Holbrook is worth the fight."]

These two gave me so much anxiety. Okay, so most of the anxiety was due to Baby, but he was (okay not entirely) justifiable. His past experiences mixed with his greatest fears and his unchecked anxiety made him continuously push Logan away. 

Logan...tried his best. He wanted to push Baby, but he knew he couldn't push Baby too far, too fast. And not to blame aaallllll of the miscommunication on him, but Logan could have, arguably, told Baby how he felt and how those feelings had changed slash had been there all along.

Meanwhile, all of the other boys were just like "whelp, we've been there; they'll figure it out." Like, awesome. Thanks. 

But also, Logan being jealous of a banana, to the point of almost throwing the bundle of bananas away, was hilarious. 

Trigger Warnings: mentions of homophobia (both internal and external), thoughts and behaviors that may be attributed to body and gender dysphoria, past bullying, and more.

#booksirens #arcs #arcteammember
#prettyboy #loverboy #goodboy #lonelyboy #briannaflores #theboysofapartment13 #theboysofapartment13sereies #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pretty (King's Heart #2)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Pretty" by L Waltree, which is a part of the King's Heart series.

["Declan
He was supposed to be the one that understood.
The one that was different. But he’s just like everyone else.
It doesn’t really matter, though. At school, I’m the weird outcast, and he’s the big popular jock.
We were doomed from the start.
And yet, I keep finding myself drawn to him, no matter how much I don’t want to be.
I need to stay away, but I don’t think I can.

Javier
He was all I had in the world.
Mi muñequito.
Then he threw it all away.
So I wiped my hands of him.
Or I tried.
But he crept his way back into my brain. Back into my life.
I need to leave him in the past, but I don’t think I can."]

YES, all of the yes. This book was fucking amazing. Granted, I still loved the first one a litttle more, but this was far from a disappointment.

It was everything. It was pining and angst, it was fluff and spice, it was yearning and hesitation. It was history and future. It was fate, pushing and pulling them apart (okay, that wasn't fate. that was judgement and butt-hurt-ness preventing communication, looking at you Javi). 

Their friends knew they were meant to be, knew that they were falling in love, even if they didn't (okay, Declan knew what was happening, even if he was pissed off about it (and scared af)). I loooved these two, loved them (even if they made me cry).

Trigger Warnings: mention of suicide, emotional abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, mention of date rape and sexual assault, assault, drugging, arrest of a loved one, victim blaming, victim in denial, sexual assault of a minor (off page, alluded to), and more.

#arc #arcteammember
#safe #pretty #kingsheart #kingsheartseries #lwaltree #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

Orc CEO's Fake Fiancé (Billionaire Monster Deals #3)

Here's Viva Wilder's "Orc CEO's Fake Fiancé." It's the third novel in the Billionaire Monster Deals series.

["The coffee was an accident. Getting on his knees to mop it off the Orc CEO's crotch was a choice. A bad one.

Now Leo Caletti — broke, desperate, held together with duct tape and audition rejections — is fake-engaged to Gorrat "Gore" Vane, a seven-foot-two wall of grey muscle in a $20,000 suit who doesn't smile, doesn't blink, and smells like rain and bad decisions.

The deal is three months, fifty grand, no touching.

The deal falls apart in six days. Because Leo's scent triggers something ancient in Gore's biology — something possessive, feral, and very, very permanent. And now the Orc who filed his tusks for boardrooms is growling at waiters, scent-marking Leo's clothes, and building a nest he won't admit exists.

But Gore's father wants the bond destroyed, the company seized, and Leo gone. To survive, they'll have to the empire or each other.

They choose violence."]

This book was a mix of fluff and pining and fate and hormones and real feelings. But it was also so angst and self-sacrifice-y and light guilt and pain (soooo much pain). 

I loved these two. Even if there should have been a conversation or two before the bonding..about the bonding, but fate doesn't always leave room for talking about bonding consequences. Or toxic family members out for money and revenge. 

I loooved these two (I just said that, and I've said it again). They were adorable and a little manic and a lot possessive, but they were beautiful and supportive as hell. Granted, it was devastating and I cried, but I loooved them.

#orcceosfakeboyfriend #orcceossecretboyfriend #orcceosfakefiance #vivawilder #billionairemonsterdeals #billionairemonsterdealsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Orc CEO's Fake Boyfriend (Billionaire Monster Deals #1)

Here's Viva Wilder's "Orc CEO's Fake Boyfriend." It's the first novel in the Billionaire Monster Deals series.

["Marlowe Quinn has three rules for surviving as a show up early, stay invisible, and never end up in a viral photo with your billionaire boss.

So much for rules.

One spilled coffee and suddenly the internet thinks he's dating Soren Vexley—seven feet of green-skinned, tusk-bearing orc CEO who built a Fortune 500 company and refuses to smile in photographs.

Soren's solution? A contract. Sixty days of fake dating to spin the story. He pays off Marlowe's student loans, they walk away clean.

Simple. Professional. No feelings.

Except Soren isn't the cold monster the tabloids make him out to be. He's careful. Protective. He remembers how Marlowe takes his coffee. And when a board member with a vendetta threatens everything Soren's built, Marlowe realizes he'll do anything to protect him.

The contract says sixty days. Their hearts didn't get the memo."]

These two were beautiful...and kinda disasters. Then again, the disasters mainly found them.

These two found each other and fell in love all the while dodging one disaster after another, one horrible person after another. They trusted each other and leaned on each other and found themselves falling hopelessly in love. Along with some inside jokes and found family and mended fences. 

#orcceosfakeboyfriend #orcceossecretboyfriend #orcceosfakefiance #vivawilder #billionairemonsterdeals #billionairemonsterdealsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Extra Credit (The Boys of Elmwood U #1)

Here's Hayden Hall's "Extra Credit." It's the first novel in his new series, The Boys of Elmwood U.

["Look, I’m not stupid. I’m just really, really bad at Statistics.

Bad enough that Coach is threatening to bench me if I don’t pull my grades up. Bad enough that Professor Colby assigned me a tutor from the Thinkers’ House: a nerd who actually enjoys calculating standard deviations.

Enter Bennet Marlowe: certified genius, overpowered paladin in shiny armor, and the most annoyingly attractive guy I’ve ever failed to impress. He’s all sharp edges and sharper wit, hiding behind oversized sweaters and reading glasses that have no business making me lose focus during study sessions. He’s also completely off-limits. It’s hard to learn anything when all I can think about is whether he’d let me kiss him if I got the answer right.

And yet, I keep finding excuses to see him. Crashing his D&D night. Convincing him to see a movie with me when my date bails. Walking him home and standing too close on his doorstep. Kissing him clumsily near said doorstep.

And somewhere between pivot tables and probability, I’m starting to think maybe I’m not just bad at Statistics. I’m catastrophically bad at keeping my hands to myself.

I’ve got one semester to pass this class and keep my scholarship. Falling for my tutor is definitely not the kind of extra credit I signed up for."]

These two were adorable as hell. Head over heals from the very beginning, even if they wanted to deny, deny, deny. And a lot of that angst was deny, deny, deny..deny your own feelings, deny that your good enough, deny that the other could possibly feel the same way. 

Luckily they had friends (and dogs and a utter lack of a filter) to get them to the HEA.

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#extracredit #theboysofelmwoodu #theboysofelmwooduseries #haydenhall #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Gone Wild (Wild Hearts #1)

Here's "Gone Wild" by Jesse H Reign. It's the first novel in the new Wild Hearts series.

["He’s my ex-boyfriend’s brother, an alpha with an old-fashioned face and a rugged demeanor. I’m the omega who’s managed to get myself stranded in the middle of nowhere with him during a snowstorm.

It’s fine though. It’s not like anything’s going to happen between us. We’re both adults and we have this thing called self-control. There’s nothing to worry about.

Except, there’s a trickle of heat flowing through my veins, and things are happening in my body that I can’t explain.

Wait. I’m not going into heat, am I?"]

God was this book good! Jesse took a (small) risk diving into the omega-verse, but it was so worth it. This omega-verse was slightly different than the other's I read, which I loved. The lore and the history was unique and fun.

These two were utterly adorable. Even if they (okay just Lucy) didn't see it for the longest of times. They matched each other in so many ways, made each other better in so many ways. 

I can't wait for more!

#gonewild #wildhearts #wildheartsseries #jessehreign #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Barbarian's Heart (Savagely Sweet #1)

TBR, who? ARCS, what? Here's Amy Padilla's latest: "Barbarian's Heart." It's the first novel in her Savagely Sweet series, which is a Not-So-Savage Barbarian's spin-off.

["After losing my bondmate to illness, I’d accepted that my time to love was in the past. I promised her on her death bed that I’d never take another bondmate, and I meant it.

Instead I’ve lived my life to serve my clan, lending my assistance when they needed me and continuing to act as clan leader while Uttin traveled from town to town, freeing those who were forced to hide who they loved. I told myself devotion was enough.

I never expected one of those townsfolk to sway my heart.

He looked at me not as a leader or a legend, but as a man. An equal. Someone worthy of soft smiles and unguarded hope.

Loving him would mean breaking the last promise I made to the woman I lost. This choice could be the one that finally breaks me, or it could put my heart back together again."]

My GOD! D: These two were adorable as hell. From Cedric's love of paperwork to Urthorr's love of family, they were perfect for each other. Okay, that doesn't make it seem like they are, but they are. They're both soft but fierce, family-oriented, wanting safety and peace for their friends, serious but easy to laugh/tease, hopeful for a brighter future.

Their chemistry was instant. And with all of the previous tribute's help, there wasn't a language barrier or a miscommunication in the very beginning. They clicked and felt safe following that connection. And then it grew and grew and exploded in a fiery storm of steam and fluff to end all steam/fluff.

This new series has SO much potential!! I can't wait for all of the new couples (and a possible poly???)!!

#barbariansheart #savagelysweet #savagelysweetseries #notsosavagebarbarians #notsosavagedbarbariansseries #amypadilla #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Reaper's Violet (Steel Phoenixes MC #1)

Here's "Reaper's Violet" by Ethan Brand. It's the first novel in his Steel Phoenixes MC series.

["You don't save a man like Reaper and walk away clean.

Axel. Vice President of the Steel Phoenixes MC. 6'7" of raw muscle, faded ink, and a decade of silence where his heart used to be. The last man who got close to him ended up in the ground, and Axel's been making damn sure no one gets close again.

Kai. ER nurse. Smart mouth. Violet highlights in his hair that he wears like a dare. He's spent years building a quiet small apartment, night shifts, no attachments. Safe. Boring. His.

Then he finds a dying giant bleeding out on the concrete at 3 AM, and his hands move before his brain catches up.

One act of mercy. That's all it takes.

Now Axel owes his life to a civilian with soft eyes and steady hands—the worst kind of weakness for a man with enemies. And Kai? Kai just stepped into a war he didn't know existed. A trafficking ring with cops on its payroll. An FBI agent who wants the Phoenixes burned to the ground. And a clubhouse full of outlaws who've already decided he's one of theirs.

Axel knows what happens to people he cares about. He should push Kai away. He should disappear. He should do anything other than pin this man against a wall and…

Too late."]

The romance wasn't as slow burn or as angsty or as spicy (though it did get spicer) as I had imagined. But it was still so fabulous.

This book was about about second chances and found family and proving yourself (to yourself) and living life bravely and taking chances. 

This book really set up a great foundation for an entire series, so many clues already to so many future couples. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, stalking, threats, trafficking, foster system, toxic parents, mentions of past child abuse, homophobia, corruption, and more.

#reapersviolet #tanksagent #steelphoenixesmc #steelphoenixesmcseries #ethanbrande #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Static (Mayhem Motel #1)

Here's "Static" by Marie Ann. It's the first novel in her Mayhem Motel series.

["The first time I laid eyes on Madison Payne, I knew he was mine.

He was such a surprising little treat to find within the walls of Mayhem Motel. Devoured by his fear, he became so malleable and submissive… for me.

I couldn’t possibly let him go.

But then he left, and I had no other choice but to find him again—by any means necessary.

And I did.

His fear consumed him once more, but he fell into me with a beauty and grace I could’ve only dreamed of.

I finally found the parallel to my shadow.

And now, we return to Mayhem. Back to where we began."]

This book was on a lot of lists lately: "Dark Romance", "Unhinged MM," "What Did I Just Read" (very much not lying, that was the title of the post). And this didn't disappoint. Thought it did take fear kink into whole new realms...wasn't super comfortable for a while. 

But when Madison "accepted" what was going on between him and Cedric? Fuuuuck, it made the book even better. Madi went from scared and afraid of the not-so-scared feelings Cedric gave him to a sassy, blushing mess. It was, honestly, perfect. Cedric wasn't all that much better (he was just able to hide it better).

God they were both a fucking mess. But they embraced the fact that they were messy together, and at the same time, less messy together. It was crazy and beautiful. 

Trigger Warnings: coulrophobia, haphephobia, physical violence, dubcon/noncon, psychological/mental manipulation, stalking, religious trauma, mentions of past mental health issues, mention of alcoholism, anxiety/panic attacks, verbal/mental child abuse, reference to internalized homophobia, and more.

#static #mayhemmotel #mayhemmotelseries #marieann #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

What Would It Cost

Here's "What Would It Cost" by Syn Blackrose.

["Leo
Money. That’s what has turned my life upside down.
Money is the reason my marriage is barely holding together.
Money is the reason Ethan Taylor has thrown himself into my life.
Ethan is the reason I can barely sleep. Ethan is the reason I question myself and who I really am.
Ethan, Ethan, fucking Ethan. That damn name is always on my mind.
The big question…when everything in your life is falling apart, would you accept an offer from your boss that could make it right? Heal your marriage?
Would you hand over your body for one night to an attractive psycho? Not forgetting that I’m straight.
He’s manipulative. Dangerous. Toxic.
He is always one step ahead.

Ethan
I’m rich. Successful. And bored.
Months of being restless, unsure of what it is my body needs, until a gorgeous man called Leo starts working at my hotel.
He’s perfect. Attractive. Sexy. But the best part is that he is so worn down by life, that I can’t resist him. That makes him vulnerable.
I want to bend him to my will. To take him as my own.
Social expectations mean nothing to me. I have no morals. No empathy. I don’t give a fuck what’s happening in your life.
But I care about what Leo does. I need to know everything about him.
I’m going to tear him down so I can rebuild him.
I will offer him everything he dreams of, while locking him up in my golden cage.
By the time I’ve finished, he won’t be able to leave. But even better, he won’t want to leave.
No limits. No rules."]

Dark, depraved, unhinged, psychotic, crazy... or just unconventional? Because Ethan might not be able to feel love, but what he felt for Leo transcended traditional love. But it was deep and devoted. He wanted only good things for Leo, he didn't want Leo to feel alone or lonely. He didn't want Leo to be wanting for anything. He wanted Leo to be happy and healthy. He wanted him to live his best life and pursue his dreams and finally be seen.

Leo just wanted to follow his dreams and be happy. He wanted to have comfort and be seen. He wanted someone to want him and need him. Ethan's methods weren't...typical, but he gave Leo all he wanted, all he needed, and so much more.

I also kinda love how this book existed in teh same universe at Syn's other books (even if I haven't read all of them yet). Beautiful.

I don't a lot of hard limits when it comes to content or triggers. One of them is (usually) cheating. But Syn is always wonderful at making the cheated-on-partner incredibly horrible and (almost) deserves this karma.

Trigger Warnings: manipulation, stalking, violence, cheating (not between MCs), mental abuse, toxic behavior, and more.

#whatwoulditcost #synblackrose #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks