Xavier (Vigilance #4)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Xavier." It's the fourth and final novel in the Vigilance series, which is a part of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["I thought I was straight.

I thought protecting my identity mattered more than anything besides family.

Then Emilio came to me for protection.

It's my fault he’s in danger, and no one is going to touch him.

No one besides me."]

What a fabulous ending to a fabulous series. The big, bad boss finally fell in love and succumbed to being human, just like the rest of his team. His heart overtook his logic, his protectiveness overtook sense. They were perfect for each other. 

Not to mention all of the other Vigilance cameos, and Marchesi cameos, and Theriot cameos (Tony!!!).

Trigger Warnings: murder, violence, sex trafficking, human/child trafficking, threats/blackmail, mentions of death of parents, mention of foster care system, and more.

#misdeeds #giogrgio #niall #leo #xavier #vigilance #vigilanceseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Leo (Vigilance #3)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Leo." It's the third novel in the Vigilance series, which is a part of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["I used to be CIA. Now I'm a tattoo artist and a vigilante.

When a new hire at my shop gets too curious about my less-than-legal activities, he needs all the protection I can give him.

He wants a lot more. More than I should be willing to give. And yet, the longer I keep him close for his own safety... the more I want him in my bed."]

Okay, but Ezra had no rights to be as adorable as he was. Leo stood zero chances. 

I love how hard both of them tried to fight their connection, how hard the mutual pining was, how hard they were already falling. It was fluffy and spicy and protective and obsessive. It was new friends and old risks. It was found family and baked goods and Christmas magic. 

Now off to see exactly how "straight" X is... ;)

Trigger Warnings: murder, violence, sex trafficking, human/child trafficking, threats/blackmail, and more. 

#misdeeds #giogrgio #niall #leo #xavier #vigilance #vigilanceseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Niall (Vigilance #2)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Niall." It's the second novel in the Vigilance series, which is a part of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["There’s a fine line between hate and desire.

I used to be FBI. Now I’m on the opposite side of the law, part of an underground organization with lots more freedom to give the bad guys what they deserve.

When I meet Marcus, it’s hate at first sight. Only my intense sense of duty keeps me from revolting when my assignment to stop a depraved crime ring leads to me pretending to be Marcus’s lover.

It’s not easy to stay angry with him day after day when he’s the only person I can trust. Too much time spent in close proximity has me giving into desire for him, then wondering if Marcus might be the man who can thaw my icy heart."]

Oh Marcus…I’m actually really glad you’re getting HEA, after everything in the Marchesi Family series. And after meeting Niall in the previous book, of course his love story was going to be chaotic as fuck. And of course Marcus is a cat person. 

God, that line between love and hate really in that thin. They were hate fucking in the first few chapters. Falling in love not too long after that. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, sex trafficking, human/child trafficking, ptsd, abuse, and more. 

#misdeeds #giogrgio #niall #leo #xavier #vigilance #vigilanceseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Giorgio (Vigilance #1)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Giorgio." It's the first novel in the Vigilance series, which is a part of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["I’m a sniper. A trained operator. A bodyguard. A member of the elite private security force known as Vigilance.

When my boss’s son acquires a stalker, of course I’m the one he calls to keep the guy safe. Mr. X’s one rule? Keep my hands to myself.

Not a problem.

At least, not until I meet Lane Porter.

He’s gorgeous. Flamboyant. Fascinating. He makes me want things I can’t have. He stretches my self-control to the limit… and then breaks it.

As the threat to Lane intensifies, we’re forced to hide out in a remote, one-bedroom cabin with danger stalking us from all sides, but suddenly keeping the boss’s son safe isn’t enough.

My new mission is to make Lane mine."]

Hot fucking damn. These two were hooot. They ignited that undeniable chemistry in the most spicy and protective meet-cutes ever. 

It was all very fast, but it was beautiful. They push each others buttons all the time, but it was also exactly what the other needed. 

I looove all of the new people we’ve met, and I canNOT wait for everyone to get their HEAs.

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, stalking, mentions of human trafficking, 

#misdeeds #giogrgio #niall #leo #xavier #vigilance #vigilanceseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Mob Boss (Marchesi Family)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Mob Boss." It's a companion novel in the Marchesi Family series, which is the start of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). This short story is available through #ProlificWorks via Silvia's website. 

["I let Vinnie seduce me. I was an easy mark. I would have granted him anything, but I didn't know who he was. I didn't know I was setting a man up for death. But even now I still want him, and he has no intention of letting me go."]

This was a perfectly adorable little story (with all of the appropriate violence, over-the-top protectiveness, and mafia-like obsession/ownership) for Vinnie (and Tom). It takes place after Lucien's story and in the middle of Angelo's story.

I hope (when I finally get to it/them) we get to see more of the men loyal to the Marchesi's get their HEAs in the Marchesi Loan Sharks series. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, mentions of child/human trafficking, and more.

#lucien #angelo #devil #adevilishchristmas #mobboss #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Devilish Christmas (Marchesi Family #3.5)

Here's Silvia Violet's "A Devilish Christmas." It's the next novel in the Marchesi Family series, which is the start of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["Devil, my beast of a man, seduces me into eloping, then kidnaps me for a honeymoon in Christmastown, Vermont.

A lot of men would be furious. I simply planned revenge involving handcuffs.

My annoyance doesn’t last long. Devil rents my dream cottage and manages to draw me out of my Scrooge-like ways. But I’ve been keeping a secret, and it follows me all the way to Christmastown.

Can Devil and I enjoy each other, find our Christmas spirit, and keep ourselves safe from a vicious killer?"]

Of course Devil would use the term "lumbersexual" and mean it (and think it would appropriately help him blend in to a Hallmark Christmas village). Then again, he also didn't think to give Joe an option for marriage (just engagement) or their honeymoon so... Then again (x2), this big bad scary mafia man is a sucker for all things Christmas (and his husband) and all of his plotting was well-meaning...

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, stalking, and more. 

#lucien #angelo #devil #adevilishchristmas #mobboss #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Devil (Marchesi Family #3)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Devil." It's the third novel in the Marchesi Family series, which is the start of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["Devil is a mobster with a dangerous secret...

There's a cop who hates him.

A cop he caught and released.

A cop he can't get out of his mind after the one forbidden night they shared."]

Fucking Devil. Of cooouuurse he falls for a cop. A cop who thinks (knows) the illegal shit you get up to. 

I'm not the biggest fan of mafia/cop romances; I can't always handle that level of angst in this kinda of forbidden romance. The MCs are also usually both very..broken. It's painful. This one was painful. But it was also worth it. 

So worth it. There wasn’t nearly as much angst as I had thought. There wasn’t so much protectiveness and confused obsession and pure fluffy feelings. They were so fucking devoted and so fucking gone for each other. 

Honestly, these two were my favorite couple in this series. I’m sooo glad they have their own novella.  

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, gun play, mentions of human trafficking, SC with past domestic violence, and more.

#lucien #angelo #devil #adevilishchristmas #mobboss #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Angelo (Marchesi Family #2)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Angelo." It's the second novel in the Marchesi Family series, which is the start of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["Cameron didn’t realize how much he loved his grandparents’ bakery until Angelo Marchesi, a man he’s hated since high school, threatened to take it away.

But Cameron owes Angelo a debt.

A debt he can’t pay…

Unless he accepts Angelo’s indecent proposal and risks finding out how thin the line between love and hate really is."]

I struggled whether or not to put "past bullying" as a trigger for this because...it was almost just poorly disguised flirting. Cameron didn't think so, hence the trigger anyway, but Angelo didn't necessarily mean to come across as an ass (just as Cameron didn't mean to come across as stuck-up).

Though, it's hard to communication when you're baking (and eating) so many delicious creations. 

These two were also a struggle. They fell fast into bed but didn't allow themselves to really think about how fast they were falling in love until it was too late to go back. It was spicy and kinky, but it was also fluffy and protective. 

Devil's book...is going to be a rollercoaster from hell. I'm almost sure of it. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, stalking, past bullying..ish, and more.

#lucien #angelo #devil #adevilishchristmas #mobboss #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Lucien (Marchesi Family #1)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Lucien." It's the first novel in the Marchesi Family series, which is the start of the Marchesi Family universe (in which I'm apparently reading in whatever order I want). 

["I never imagined the protector I longed for would be a mob boss who demanded complete control.

I shouldn’t have gone to Lucien’s office.

Once I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t leave.

He commanded me to kneel.

Beg.

Obey.

I couldn’t help myself.

One taste, and I craved more.

Lucien vowed to protect me from his enemies…

But who’s going to protect my heart from him."]

This was...harsher than the other books in the universe I've read so far. A lot darker. A lot less..overly and outwardly fluffy. It was still sweet in it's own ways, but Lucien was nothing like Remington. This family was nothing like the Theriots (apart from the whole mafia thing).

I still appreciated this book though. The darkness was still so very tempting. The possession and obsession and protection was still so very strong. The falling-in-love timeline was similar but slightly slower, at least admitting said falling-in-love. 

It will be interesting (that's for damn sure) watching Angelo and Devil fall in love. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, gun use, torture, kidnapping, mentions of domestic abuse between SCs, brief mention of child/human trafficking, and more.

#lucien #angelo #devil #adevilishchristmas #mobboss #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #themarchesufamilyuniverse #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Ambrose (The Theriot Family #5)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Ambrose." It's the fifth and final novel in the Theriot Family series...which incidentally a spin-off series from the Marchesi Family series (and after that is the Vigilance series) (I'll catch up eventually). 

["I thought I was the one straight Theriot cousin...
But I was wrong.

Because when Sheriff Eric Winston demanded my help in ridding his territory of pure evil, I couldn’t say no.

The man’s infuriating—a clean-cut do-gooder—and my family’s never exactly been friends with the law.
But I couldn’t deny I owed the man a favor…
And I can’t deny the things he makes me feel either.

I want to protect him. To kiss him. To possess him.
To save him from the enemy that threatens to take him away from me.
To break down every obstacle that could keep us apart…
Even the ones in my own mind.

Because I thought I was the one Theriot cousin who could never fall in love…
But I might have been wrong about that, too."]

Well..that was both sweeter and more dramatic than I had anticipated. I knew it would be tense and filled with personal and emotional baggage. Neither of these men had an easy life. The way the collided (and then just full-on went with it) was glorious. 

Looove that we got to offically meet Gerald. And the additional Tony cameos (fucking love that monkey).

CanNOT wait to continue this universe...even if I plan to continue to read the serieses in whatever order I want. ;)

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, mentions of past blackmail, PTSD, and more.

#remington #corbin #lancelot #dax #ambrose #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #vigilance #vigilanceseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Dax (The Theriot Family #4)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Dax." It's the fourth novel in the Theriot Family series...which incidentally a spin-off series from the Marchesi Family series (and after that is the Vigilance series) (I'll catch up eventually). 

["Travis is my friend's little brother.

I'm supposed to keep him safe. To be a man he can trust. But I haven't seen him in years.

When he turns up hurt and needing a place to stay, protection is only one of the things I want to offer him.

Because Travis isn’t a kid anymore. He’s all grown up now. And the way he looks at me tells me he feels the heat rising between us.

He deserves a lot better than me — a man who can walk with him in the light, instead of pulling him down into the darkness. But every instinct in my body is screaming at me to hold him close…

And there’s no way I’m letting him go."]

This is one of the books with the longest timelines. Then again, these Theriot boys don't take all that long to fall in love in the first place. Most of the main brothers averaged one week, max; Dax took a month, maybe two, to fully come to terms with his feelings and embrace them (as seen in below quote). 

Dax: "To make things even worse, my cousin Lancelot had jumped on the fall-in-love-with-someone-completely-unsuited-for-you bandwagon like his brothers." ....like you're not already there, my guy?

These two were adorable! Best friends little brother meets childhood friends meets second chance meets kismet. Loved watching them succumb to their true feelings, all the while dodging bullets and brothers. And a very gossipy Corbin.  

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, past drug use, past abusive ex, and more.

#remington #corbin #lancelot #dax #ambrose #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #vigilance #vigilanceseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Lancelot (The Theriot Family #3)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Lancelot." It's the third novel in the Theriot Family series...which incidentally a spin-off series from the Marchesi Family series (and after that is the Vigilance series) (I'll catch up eventually). 

["Men like me don't spend a lot of time at the library, so I've never had a reason to suspect cardigan-wearing, uptight librarians would push all my buttons.

Then I met Julian.

I wanted to hate him. He's my opposite in every way. I'm impulsive, and there's no rule I won't break. Persnickety Julian follows every rule.

But when I make demands and he stands his ground, I know he will be mine.

To win him over, I'll have to do the impossible, prove that occasionally, I can be reserved and restrained."]

Of course impulsive, party-boy, pet-monkey-carrying Lance falls for straight-laced, rules-following, librarian Julian. Of course neither man is exactly what he seems. Of course Tony full-heartedly approves. 

Oh. My. God. This was better than I thought it would be. These two were perfect. And they didn't make me cry, unless many of their other family members thus far. They were sweet and spicy, a perfect balance of scholar and play boy. 

Not to mention the Henri cameos (and Beau cameos). Plus all of the Tony love!

I also love how fast-paced these books are. I'm rarely in a slow-burn book; I don't always have the patience for them. Silvia's books, at least thus far, are far from slow-burn. They're fire and smoke. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, mentions of parental death, and more.

#remington #corbin #lancelot #dax #ambrose #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #vigilance #vigilanceseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Corbin (The Theriot Family #2)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Corbin." It's the second novel in the Theriot Family series...which incidentally a spin-off series from the Marchesi Family series (and after that is the Vigilance series) (I'll catch up eventually). 

["A bratty mobster and the man who wants to take him in hand

Everyone says I need discipline, but no one's willing to give it to me until I meet my match.

I can't stand the arrogant man who refuses to cower at the mention of my family's name.

But my hate isn't strong enough to keep me from wanting everything his hungry look promises."]

Oh Corbin. We truly hadn't gotten a good view point of how bratty and whiny he was from Remi's book. Granted, a lot of his pouting was justified, but as Beau pointed out, who's going to take a pouting mobster seriously? Besides Beau. ;) 

These two were adorable. They helped each other grow: Corbin got a backbone, Beau got a soft-side. It was all just very...fluffy for a dark romance. It was sweet and spicy, it was dangerous and daring, it was a whirlwind in the middle of so many other things going on.

I really like how, with this series, we get a sneak-peak of the next book/couple in the epilogue of the current book. What a way to make me keep reading. Not that reading Lance's book is going to be a hardship (I canNOT wait for more Tony).

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, past addiction of a SC, and more.

#remington #corbin #lancelot #dax #ambrose #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #vigilance #vigilanceseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Remington (The Theriot Family #1)

Here's Silvia Violet's "Remington." It's the first novel in the Theriot Family series.

["A mobster rescued me, and I rescued him right back.

I should never have approached Remington's car. I knew he was dangerous, but he needed help and I was sure he could pay well for it.

When he offers me an astronomical sum to stay with him for two weeks, I can't say no. Even then, I know when our time is up, I'll wish we had forever.

Remington cares for me like no man ever has, and I can’t help falling for him. But how could a crime boss be my Prince Charming or give me the fairytale happily ever after I’ve always dreamed of?"]

This book was fabulous. It was tense and filled with mutual pining and angst, but it was also all about fluff and sweetness and protection and obsession. It was found family and fairy tales in strange places. 

I loved Henri. He was perfect and utterly perfect for Remi. Remi...needed a slap upside the head once or twice, but he got there. He was just as perfect for Henri, too. They supported each other, listened to each other, gave each other grace and kindness in a cruel world. 

Whelp, this is another spin-off series. Really reading this backwards. Oh well. Guess I’ll be off to read the Marchesi Family next series..and then the Vigilance series. I’ll figure my way through this universe eventually. ;) And after u do catch up, there’s a dark mafia cowboy series waiting for me (in. this. same. universe!). ;))

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, mentions of extortion, mentions of parental death, torture, and more. 

#remington #corbin #lancelot #dax #ambrose #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #themarchesifamily #themarchesufamilyseries #vigilance #vigilanceseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Forbidden Little Game (Crimson College #4)

Here's "Forbidden Little Game" by Raleigh Reubins. It's the fourth novel in the Crimson College series. 

["Sharing a college campus with my infuriating stepbrother should be easy.
Until he crosses a line with me, and we’re pulled into a twisted, chaotic game.

Noah is straight. Preppy. Rich as sin. Everything I’m not.
When I catch my stepbrother rifling through my belongings like a stalker, it sparks something inside me I can’t shake.
Let the frat boy stalk me a little. I’m going to stalk him right back.
One night, the mutual hatred sparks between us. We collide, and he gets a taste of me he can’t quit.

What we’re doing is bad. Wrong. …Completely consuming.
But I witness something I shouldn’t one night when Noah is attacked by a violent man.
When a stranger lays a hand on my new obsession, I explode.

Protecting him is my salvation.
Now we’ve crossed a line forever, and there’s no chance I’m losing this game.

No one can hurt him. Mafia ties run deep in Onyx Society, and we’ve stepped on the wrong rival’s shoes.
Noah is broken. Vulnerable. I see the sea of emotion behind his perfect exterior.
He claims he still despises me, even when we’re close. But with his life under threat, I risk everything to defend what’s mine.

When he says I’m crazy, I say:
I am. And you are, too.

Because I know we’ll both do whatever it takes to win this forbidden game."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Trigger Warnings:

#darklittlegame #possessivelittlegame #recklesslittlegame #forbiddenlittlegame #raleighruebins #crimsoncollege #crimsoncollegeseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks 

His Forbidden Alliance (Forbidden Mafia #3)

Here's Silvia Violet's "His Forbidden Alliance." It's the third novel in the Forbidden Mafia series, a Theriot Family series spin-off.

["When I catch Zach cheating at my family’s casino, I should have him thrown out. Instead, I’m drawn to his sexy smile, his reckless confidence, and the way he looks at me like I’m more than another mafia heir playing at power. When he offers to turn his skills to my advantage, I break all the rules and let him stay.

I’ve spent years trying to prove I’m more than the spoiled playboy my family expects. With a Russian trafficker seeking revenge on us, I need control—not temptation. But Zach awakens desires I’ve buried for too long. Risk. Danger. Submission.

The closer we get, the harder it is to ignore the truth: Zach isn’t just a grifter. When he saves my life and exposes himself as a government agent, our alliance becomes a deadly secret. He needs me to complete his mission. I need him to survive my world—and to finally claim my place in it.

For Zach, I may be just another mark—a role he’s played a dozen times before. He’s a master at faking attraction for the sake of the mission, but even when I learn he’s questioning everything he thought he knew about himself, I can’t walk away.

Protecting him could destroy me. Falling for him already has.

In a world of blood, power, and betrayal, loving the wrong man might be the most dangerous gamble of all."]

Oh Rafe, of course you chose the most forbidden, most dangerous of ways to fall in love. 

This story was just as sweet and spicy and unhinged as the rest of the series. It was protective and confusion and obsession and denial. It was fluff and pushing away and devotion and breaking rules. 

Now let's go read that OG series...

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, gun shot wounds, drugging, human trafficking, and more.

#hisforbiddenobsession #hisforbiddenprofessor #hisforbiddenalliance #forbiddenmafia #forbiddenmafiaseries #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

His Forbidden Professor (Forbidden Mafia #2)

Here's Silvia Violet's "His Forbidden Professor." It's the second novel in the Forbidden Mafia series, a Theriot Family series spin-off.

["A professor with mafia ties. A frat boy. A twisted destiny.

He walks in late on the first day of class. A frat boy with an attitude.

He tries to charm me with a smile, but he’s acting.

There are layers underneath his facade. and I want to peel them back, but he’s my student.

Forbidden.

I’m already a criminal. Still, I won’t risk my career? Will I?

Then I find out he’s in danger. He comes to me for help, and I can’t resist him.

I will save him, and if I’m willing to open my heart, he might save me too."]

I kinda like how this book takes place alongside the first one. We got some overlapping scenes from different POVs and more drama underneath the surface than we originally realized (and some "if it makes you happy" speeches that are now a little hypocritical). 

These two were somehow more angsty. There was a lot more self-punishment (*cough* Dante *cough*) and a lot more pining. There was somehow also more honesty...and more heartache. It was an overall harsher clash of emotions than the first book.

But they were just as sweet and devoted to each other.

Now here's to Rafe...getting into so much more trouble than his brothers...so much more.

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, gun shot wounds, drugging, human trafficking, and more

#hisforbiddenobsession #hisforbiddenprofessor #hisforbiddenalliance #forbiddenmafia #forbiddenmafiaseries #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

His Forbidden Obsession (Forbidden Mafia #1)

Here's Silvia Violet's "His Forbidden Obsession." It's the first novel in the Forbidden Mafia series.

["From the moment I see Lorenzo, I want him. He’s dangerous, part of the infamous Theriot family who runs the New Orleans crime scene.

I have no doubt he’d enjoy destroying me. He hates my father almost as much as I do.

The danger I’m in at home frightens me, but when Lorenzo sends shivers down my spine, it turns me on. He becomes my fantasy, the man I long for, the one who might save me.

My father tries to sell me to the highest bidder, but I escape. I have no one to run to except Lorenzo.

He agrees to protect me… for a price.

I’m more than willing to pay with my body, but when my heart gets involved, I no longer know if I’ll survive my time with him."]

Ohhh was this book good. There was just the right amount of angst to get the plot going and for that smidge of will-they-won't-they (and do-I-deserve-him). There was so much protection and obsession and possession and fluff and spice and found family. 

Their love was forbidden, but the strongest obstacles were...well, Niko's dad and Renzo's cousin (who, spoiler alert, didn't win). 

This is also apparently a spin-off series...so after I binge the rest of this one (the rest of Renzo's brothers), I guess I'll be off to read about Remington and his brothers/cousins. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder, human trafficking, abuse, mentions of SA and murder of children, and more.

#hisforbiddenobsession #hisforbiddenprofessor #hisforbiddenalliance #forbiddenmafia #forbiddenmafiaseries #thetheriotfamily #thetheriotfamilyseries #silviaviolet #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

In Too Deep (Tenebrea Cove #2)

Here's NR Walker's "In Too Deep." It's the second novel in the Tenebrea Cove series.

["Fraser Gorman finds comfort in unrequited love. It’s predictable, safely distant, and forever unobtainable. Zero risk, all the feels. That’s how he’s lived for years. But then the object of his affection plucks at those feelings, pulling at threads that threaten to unravel everything, and Fray has nowhere left to turn but straight into the truth.

Tobin Tiller is broken. Has been for as long as he can remember. He keeps himself distant, building his carefully constructed walls against the rejection he knows is coming. But when he recognises the signs of the bond and who his mate is, he tries to resist. After all, rejecting the bond before Fray can reject him is what he does best.

But the threat of Lusca makes it all inevitable because that’s how fate plays the game. And the men of Tenebrae Cove are about to learn that fate will always win, regardless of their best intentions, and regardless of the rules. Changes are coming, revelations will be made, and the truth is something else entirely.

Fray and Tobin are in too deep for this to play out any other way."]

The first few chapters were angsty hell. Not gonna lie. It was rough, from both of them. 

Until they got shoved into the water to figure out their shit. Literally. Then it was all heart-eyes and matching (ish) tattoos and love declarations.

Until more shit hit the fan. Not necessarily between them. Spoiler alert. The whole consortium got slapped with drama. 

Not sure if I like that aaallllll of it was in one book instead of multiple (or a companion novella)to be perfectly honest. But it was written really well. And we do have at least one more book in the series. Maybe? 

But I loved these two. Actually all of everyone in the town. They all deceased the happiness and sass and found family and home that they found at Tenebrea and with their fated mates. 

#underthesurface #intoodeep #tenebreacove #tenebreacoveseries #nrwalker #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

How Lucky Am I

Here's Christian Watson's "How Lucky Am I." Subtitle: "the inspiring and uplifting new book featuring Instagram sensation Mr Skelly" (on Instagram at 1924us).

["In this poignant, affirming, and beautifully illustrated journey, social media sensation Mr Skelly explores the ups and downs of existence and discovers the makings of a meaningful life.

"How lucky am I, to have lost what I wanted, to find what I deserved"

Join beloved Mr Skelly, a gentle skeleton wandering across lush landscapes and treacherous terrains, through times of joy, loss, grief and love, to find his family and – ultimately – a safe home.

Along the way, he discovers life lessons which help us remember what to hold onto and what to let go of, to realize how lucky we all are, because this beautifully fragile present moment is truly all we have.

Mr Skelly invites you to shift your lens, make peace with what you can’t control, appreciate what can’t be seen, and live your life to the utmost of your ability.

How Lucky Am I is a simple reminder that, in the end, we're all made of the same bones. With gentle words and hand-painted imagery, this book hopes to shine a softer light on what's often overlooked - and maybe, in doing so, help us remember what truly matters."]

I have never seen or heard of Mr Skelly before, but now I'm fucking hooked, addicted, obsessed. He's fun and sweet but inspirational. 

It's all nature and reclaimed spaces. All motivational quotes without being in-you-face about it. It's knowing when to move on and knowing when to push the course. It's being okay with not being okay. It's finding luck in the lucky but also in the mundane. 

I might need to find one of these posts for my next phone background. And follow Christian/1924us/Mr Skelly on IG. 

#howluckyami #christianwatson #mrskelly #1924us #selfhelp #inspirational #motivational #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Den Mate For Dylan (Foxwood Hollow #1)

Here's "A Den Mate For Dylan" by Emory Winters. It's the first book in her Foxwood Hollow series.

["Welcome to Foxwood Hollow. In a world of fox shifters sits a small, quaint town where everyone knows your business. Often stifling, always safe, and forever a place to call home.

Dylan
Axel is the love of my life; he just doesn’t know it yet.
Ten out of ten do not recommend spending your formative years pining after an alpha who’s your brother’s best friend. But alas, here we are.
My only solution is to leave Foxwood Hollow and start afresh. So what do I do when I have no choice but to return home, only to realise all of those years and miles haven’t doused the flame?

Axel
He’s your best friend’s little brother. He’s your best friend’s little brother.
It was a mantra I’d repeated to myself for years, ever since my brain had shifted from omega smells good to omega smells like mine.
I’m happy for Dylan when he leaves Foxwood Hollow to chase his dreams. I always knew he was destined for a life larger than this little town can offer him. But I feel his absence like a gaping chasm, and the silence that follows has my alpha instincts going into overdrive.
When Dylan finally comes home, a lot has changed. But the soul-deep longing is as present as ever.
Can I really let him slip through my fingers again?"]

I wasn't too sure about how the POVs were broken up..at first. Then I was sooo fucking sold. The way the POVs were set increased the pining and the angst and the neeeed to keep reading and reading until they finally talked their shit out and got together. It was such a simply use of skill, but it worked on sooo many levels to increase other emotions/plot.

These two were perfect. It was adorable and angst, it was sassy and spicy, it was possessive and protective. 

It slowed just a tiny bit after they finally got together, but we then got to see them get to know each other, for real, we got to see them work together for a future, we got to see hints of the next book.

Trigger Warnings: mention of parental death and more.

#adenmatefordylan #adaddyforcooper #foxwoodhollow #foxwoodhollowseries #emorywinters #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Owning Jett (Made Marian Legacy #3)

Here's Lucy Lennox's "Owning Jett." It's the third book in her Made Marian Legacy series, which is a spin-off series from her Made Marian series and her Billionaire Brother series, and this book is set in the same area as her Aster Valley series (the first and the last are also connected to her Forever Wilde series).

["Two weeks. One villa. A dangerous game of seduction and lies.

My job is simple: get close, get the intel, get out.

Then Locke Maris walks into my op.

He’s cold. Controlled. Heir to a billion-dollar shipping fortune. And so aggressively straight he doesn’t even look at me twice…

Until he does.

Locke makes me an offer: play his assistant by day, be his secret lover by night, at a house party where the world’s elite will gather to sip champagne, enjoy the Italian sun… and play a dangerous game called Paxis. 

In this ancient variation of chess, humans are pawns and each coded move could start or stop wars. I should report this to my agency immediately. Walk away clean.

But I can’t walk away.

Because in the privacy of his suite, the moves Locke makes are just as dangerous, the words he murmurs in my ear as devastating, and the growing devotion I feel as destructive as any global war.

At the end of this, I’ll have to disappear like I always do.
I don’t get to want things that could ruin my cover—or my career.

But Locke Maris is ruthless about protecting what’s his, and as far as he’s concerned he owns me.

When everything falls apart, I’ll find out exactly how far he’ll go to keep me."]

End me. End me right fucking now. That was perfect. And devastating. It was sweet and agonizing. It was so many secrets and being so fucking vulnerable. So much kismet and so much now’s-not-the-time. 

I was constantly on edge with the angst and the pining and the not-complete-truths. It was a roller coaster of emotions everywhere (Locke was his won fucking theme park of emotions).

But it was soooo worth it!!!

Also…now do the Marians (and the Wildes) get them selves (and their siblings—and now their offspring and cousins) into sooo many situations. With so many different people from all walks of life? Yes, it’s a fictional world, but wow (good for them, honestly).

Also x2, only slightly upset that the exact scene from the previous book teasing this book wasn’t in this book. I’ve been dreaming of that scene for months (more so while reading this).

Trigger Warnings: life or death situations and more. 

#recusingdrmarian #burningforalexander #owningjett #trackingwolfe #mademarianlegacy #mademarianlegacyseries #mademarian #mademarianseries #thebillionairebrotherhood #thebillionairebrotherhoodseries # #astervalley #astervalleyseries #foreverwilde #foreverwildeseries #lucylennox #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Match Made in Hell (In The Spotlight)

Here's RS McKenzie's "Match Made in Hell." It's a novel in the multi-author series, In The Spotlight.

["Lights. Cameras. Murder.

Life as a model is pretty sweet—dating the most beautiful men and women in the world, traveling anywhere I want on a whim and getting paid to look good. But I crave something more, something I can’t name.

Then I see him.

Or rather, I see him work.

And I know he’s mine. I’ll do whatever I need to do to prove it to him."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Trigger Warnings: violence, murder/gore, discussion of domestic violence, violence against a side character as a child (off page, in the past), and more.

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#matchmadeinhell #rsmckenzie #inthespotlight #inthespotlightseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Revenge Mishap (The Revenge Club #2)

I had caught up with all of my ARCs, requested a toooon more, and proceeded to avoid them. Oops. Here's Jax Calder's "The Revenge Mishap." It's the second book in The Revenge Club series. 

["Rule #2 of Revenge Club: Don’t fall for your target’s brother.

LEO
I'm Leo Brennan. Tech consultant. Negotiator of billion-dollar deals. Master of the corporate death stare.
And I’m currently wearing a sparkly pink unicorn onesie with a light-up horn while screaming “I believe in magic!” at a roomful of sugar-crazed six-year-olds.
How did I get here? I tried to get revenge on my nemesis with a syrup-related “accident” at a restaurant. Except, I hit his lookalike brother instead. On his birthday. And broke his ankle.
Now I'm making amends by playing nursemaid to him and helping him out with his jobs, which includes dog walking and becoming Sparkle McHornface, the sidekick to a children's entertainer called Captain Giggles.
The worst part? I'm starting to actually like the guy. And he has no idea the real reason why he’s on crutches.

ARCHIE
Oh, I definitely know.
The handsome stranger who “accidentally” baptized me in maple syrup thinks he's so subtle. But I've figured out his connection to my estranged brother, and I also know something else.
Guilt is a powerful motivator.
And watching this grumpy tech millionaire wrestle with drooling dogs and declare himself a “pretty, pretty unicorn” to a room full of six-year-olds? That's entertainment I can't pass up.
But somewhere between his disastrous balloon animals and surprisingly tender moments, something else is going on. I'm falling for the real Leo behind the corporate armor.
Which is dangerous because I’m currently hiding my own secrets.
And the last thing I need is someone unraveling them."]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

#booksprout #arcs #arcteammember
#hiredbytheenemy #therevengegame #therevengemishap #jaxcalder #therevengeclub #therevengeclubseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend (Chicago Awakenings #2)

Here's Lexi Amber's "Accidentally Falling For My Best Friend." It's the second novel in her Chicago Awakenings series.

["Parker
Oakley has been my best friend since we were eight. We live together, work together, our lives are completely intertwined. His past girlfriends never understood how close we are, but Oak says the right girl wouldn’t be threatened.
I’m not so sure.
Now we’re both dating a pair of best friends who seem to get it. The four of us click instantly, and for once, everything feels… easy.
But then a dare leads to a kiss, and suddenly, nothing feels easy at all.

Oakley
Dating best friends? Genius idea. Parker and I finally found girls who don’t question how inseparable we are. I thought I’d found the one, until a silly game flipped everything on its head.
Because when I kissed Parker, it didn’t feel like a joke. It felt like something I’ve been waiting for without even realizing it.
Now I’m questioning everything…my feelings, my past, and most of all, what Parker really means to me.
Maybe the person I’ve been searching for has been by my side all along"]

Well, this thing was filllllled with angst. So much mutual pining and miscommunication and general bi-disaster-ness. But also the sweetness of crushes blooming over decades of friendship, love turning from one kind of all-consuming to another. 

These two were adorable--even if they were aggravating in their assumptions. Watching them fall in love was priceless, as was their love declarations (and multiple epilogues). 

I love this little universe with this supportive as fuck family, and I canNOT wait for Adrian's book!

Trigger Warnings: chronic illness, medical emergencies and hospital stays, death of a parent in a road accident with a drunk driver, homophobic/racist background character, risk of being cut-off for being queer for secondary character, and more.

#accidentallyjoininghiscult #accidentallyfallingformybestfriend #accidentallylivingwiththecaptain #chicagoawakenings #chicagoawakeningsseries #lexiamber #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Accidentally Joining His Cult (Chicago Awakenings #1)

Here's Lexi Amber's "Accidentally Joining His Cult." It's the first novel in her Chicago Awakenings series.

["Beckett
When the hottest guy I’ve ever seen teaches one of those weird New Age, self-help seminars at my company, I don’t exactly pay attention to the content of the presentation. I just know I want to see him again.
He’s flirty and charming, and I find myself asking him on a date. I’m usually all about casual hookups, but Cody is different. He doesn’t care about my family’s money or that I’m the owner of an NHL team. He wants to get to know me for me.
His sunshine personality is addicting, and I’m worried that one hookup won’t be enough.
Just when I start thinking this could be something real, I realize I might have misread his always happy and interested, golden retriever energy. Because when I finally lean in to kiss him, he looks confused instead of excited.
Just my luck to want something serious for the first time, only to find out he’s straight.

Cody
I work for the best company in the world! I get to travel around the country, helping motivate people to find success and happiness—it’s my dream job.
I’m always meeting new people and making new friends, so when the cool, confident guy at one of my seminars asks me to hang out after class, it feels completely normal.
But spending time with Beckett is different. When the night ends sooner than I’d like, I find myself wishing it hadn’t, and that’s... unusual for me.
Thankfully, we exchange numbers, and I can’t stop thinking about him—what he’s doing or what I could say to make him smile. I’ve never been this eager to see someone again, and it makes me nervous in a way I can’t explain.
Then he leans in to kiss me, and everything suddenly makes sense. There’s a reason I can’t get him out of my head. Maybe I’m not as straight as I thought I was."]

Meet-cute + some serious miscommunications + an utterly, adorable, green-flag himbo who doesn't know he works for a cult + a grump who could use some serious sunshine and realness = perfection.

It didn't take Cody too, too long to realize he was in dating someone before that realization hit him over the head. But it took both of them foooorever to realize (spoiler alert) that Cody worked for a cult. 

But these two were fucking adorable! They only wanted the best for each other, smiles and happiness, even if it wasn’t with them. It was just the right amount of angst and mutual pining without being overly stressful.

It also set up at least two more books in the series, all of which I plan to binge right now. Finally (these have been on my TBR for months!)! 

Trigger Warnings: mentions of multi-level marketing, mentions of cult practices, mentions of behaviors that may be disturbing, manipulation, gaslighting, exploitation for personal/sexual/financial gain of leader, instances of forced dieting and exercise, and more.

#accidentallyjoininghiscult #accidentallyfallingformybestfriend #accidentallylivingwiththecaptain #chicagoawakenings #chicagoawakeningsseries #lexiamber #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Wraith (Crestvale Killers #2)

Here's "Wraith" by Mia Monroe. It's the second novel in the Crestvale Killers series.

["To keep him I’ll have to break the one rule I never thought I would.

Paxon
As a hockey defenseman it’s my job to protect the net and I don’t do it quietly. I like to throw a punch or two just to keep the fans excited. I put everything into my job, after all, hockey is the only thing keeping me together.
There’s only one person who knows the me behind the hockey mask, and that’s my brother Boone. He breaks my heart on a daily basis, but I promised our mom I’d look out for him. Which is hard enough with my schedule and his…choices.
When someone starts closing in on him, I have to risk everything to protect him. Unfortunately for me, the guy trailing my brother is the hottest man alive and the attraction between us is undeniable. Irresistible.
Is there a way to keep my brother safe and the dangerous man after him in my bed?

Wraith
Paxon Bouchard is a problem. He’s the extremely sexy, bossy, loudmouth obstacle between me and the job I’m supposed to get done. Finding out my latest assignment is his brother is unfortunate, but nothing gets between me and a job well done. Not even a beefy hockey player.
When new information surfaces, I have a difficult decision to make. Breaking the rules isn’t something I do, ever, and I’m not keen on it, but Pax offers me something I never saw for myself - a future. Maybe even love.
To keep Pax, I’ll have to trust him and hope I made the right decision. If I’m wrong, I could lose everything."]

I wasn’t too sure about this one. Then again, I wasn’t looking forward to the thought of instant angst. Turns out, it wasn’t so instant. But it was strong as fuck. 

These two fell in love before they realized it. And when they did, it was already too late. It was sweet and was too self-sacrificing. But all of their brothers verbally slapped them over the head with advice (spoiler alert?) and all was mostly well.

I want sooo much more of this series and these broken men. 

Trigger Warnings: on-page suggestion of SA of a woman who is not a character in this book, sex trafficking and SA victims, abusive/traumatic background, prior drug overdose discussions, prior suicide attempt (not MCs), and more.

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

Moody as a Minotaur (Willow Lake Pack #1)

Here's "Moody as a Minotaur" by Lori Ames. It's the first novel in her Willow Lake Pack series, which is a spin-off of the Willow Lake Supernaturals series. 

["Magic isn't real, is it?

Parker’s intuition has been itching for months—no, it’s probably closer to years—telling him something isn’t quite right in Willow Lake. But sometimes it’s safer to ignore the feeling than expose truths you don’t want to face. Especially when Levi, the handsome and beefy owner of the local motel, is right in the middle of all the weirdness.

Okay, okay.

Parker might have an itty-bitty crush on the big guy, but who can blame him? Levi is delicious… and as the owner of a café, Parker knows a thing or two about tasty treats.

And now Parker’s Nana is in town and she hasn’t come alone. She’s dragged his cousin and his paranormal investigative team along with her. But her arrival couldn’t have come at a worse time, because Parker was finally making progress with Levi.

Now what is he supposed to do? Because, for the record, it is incredibly difficult to flirt when your grandmother is eyeing everyone, including Levi, like she's in the FBI and they are in the Mafia… or like she’s Van Helsing hunting down a bunch of powerful supernatural beings.

Because that’s ridiculous. Really.

Right?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["MM Paranormal Romance, a wary minotaur, a curious human, a meddling grandmother, fish make great friends (mostly because they can’t talk back), no one likes a paranormal hunter, and secrets no one expected."]

I put off reading this one for the angst. Parker and Levi had been teasing us with their HEA for sooo long! I wasn't ready for the straight-up, in-your-face pining. Not to mention the stress of the hunters and Parker's family and Levi's past. It felt like it was all too much.

And in some ways, it was. But in typical Lori fashion, it was perfectly balanced with fluff and protectiveness and sweet feelings and found family. Plus more mysteries to be solved and more fated mates awaiting us in future novels. 

Trigger Warnings: violence, mention of rape, mention of murder, people hunting other people, guns and shooting violence, injury due to a gun shot, fight ring, attempted abduction, home being broken into, bullying and bigotry, and more. 

#moodyasaminotaur #stubbornasashadow #loriames #willowlakepack #willowlakepackseries #willowlakesupernaturals #willowlakesupernaturalsseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Under The Surface (Tenebrea Cove #1)

Here's NR Walker's "Under The Surface." It's the first novel in the Tenebrea Cove series.

["When Hobart Detective Douglas Sawyer chases someone along Constitution Dock, the last thing he expects to see is the guy change shape and disappear into the freezing cold water. He also doesn’t expect a government suit to intervene on the case and offer him a job in a remote town in the wilds of the Southwest Coast to report on things that may or may not be weird.

As the leader of his consortium, Ciaran Brenner takes protecting his town of Tenebrae Cove, and his family, very seriously. He’s never been bothered by any cop who takes up post in town because none of them stay long enough to find out the truth.

Until Sawyer, that is.

Sawyer has never felt at home anywhere until he arrives in Tenebrae Cove, the creepy little town in Southwest Tasmania. He can’t explain the unnatural pull he feels toward the water, or to the man who seems to despise him. He knows things aren’t as they appear, not when it comes to the water and not when it comes to Ciaran Brenner either.

For reasons he can’t yet explain, he’s dying to get under the surface of both."]

I have NO idea why I haven't read this yet. This book was sooooo good! And NR Walker is one of my followed authors. 

All of the lore and the magic and the history and the fated-ness of it all. All of the mystery and the intrigue, the fucking little cliffhangers and unfinished business. 

This story was adorable. It was fate and fighting it. It was making your own magic. It was finding a place to call home and meeting a family you can lean on. It was new loves and unrequited loves. It was trouble on the horizon.

I canNOT wait for the next book! 

#underthesurface #intoodeep #tenebreacove #tenebreacoveseries #nrwalker #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Shadow Prince (Shadowmen #1)

Here's S Rodman's "Shadow Prince." It's the first novel in the Shadowmen series.

["What if your childhood bogeyman turned out to be real? And a real pain in the ass?

Apparently, the monster under my bed imprinted on me as a child. Like a baby duck. A six-foot, insufferably hot, made-of-shadows baby duck.

He claims he's a prince from the Shadow Realm. His powers have been bound, and he's been exiled to the human world.

And now the only person he can feed on is me. Because of our childhood bond.

The problem? He used to feed on my fear. Now that we're adults, he needs something... else. Something that involves him being a lot closer. And me wearing a lot less.

So what do you do when the monster that lurked under your bed now wants to be in your bed?

I should send him back to whatever dark realm spat him out.

He's shameless. Smug. Thinks materialising in my bedroom uninvited is foreplay.

Never mind that he's cocky, insufferable, or that he's far too charming for something that used to live under my furniture.

I should sage my entire life and move on.

He's a shadow with a filthy mouth and no boundaries. He’s my worst nightmare, in all sorts of ways.

But he needs my help.

He used to lurk under my bed. Now he's under my skin."]

This wasn't as dark or as scary as I had expected. It was pure fluff and protection and obsession. The steam was there, but that was also lesser than I had expected. 

This book was just all kinda of sweet and organization and healing (of so many kinds) and found family and teasers to future books. 

I've been seeing this book advertised for sooo long in so many different ways and formats. I'm really upset with myself that I didn't give it a chance sooner.

Trigger Warnings: bullying, decapitation, fire/trapped in burning building, grief from relationship breaking, home invasion, infliction of physical pain, intimidation and threats, murder, near loss of a loved one, peril, relationship break-up, sleep paralysis, threat to life, unloving relationship, un-secure housing, and more. 

#shadowprince #shadowking #shadowmen #shadowmenseries #srodman #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Safe (Constantine Brothers)

Here's Rina Saint's "Safe." It's the next novel in her Constantine Brothers series.

["For years, I wasn’t human and didn’t want to be. It was easier to be the Beast, pacing in my cage until my handlers let me out to fight. I didn’t speak, didn’t have a name. My existence was brutal, but it was simple. I understood it. Accepted it.

But everything changed when Lucas was thrown into my cage with me, when I claimed him as my own—when I realized I would do anything to protect him. That meant getting us out, to somewhere safe.

And that’s what I did. That’s where we are now, in a good, safe place. Except, it doesn’t feel good to me. I don’t belong here. Nothing about me makes sense here.

I’m trying to make it work. I want Lucas to be happy. But the past keeps intruding, and the problem is … I want it to. I make sense in that dark space. But Lucas doesn’t, and I don’t want him there. So what the hell am I supposed to do?"]

TO BE UPDATED SOON

Trigger Warnings:

#gayromancereviews #grr #arcs #arcteammember
#posession #confession #safe #rinasaint #constantinebrothers #constantinebrothersseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pumped (Gymbos #2)

Here's KM Neuhold's latest: "Pumped." It's the second novel in her new Gymbos series.

["I’m just a nerd, standing in front of a bench press, asking it not to humiliate me in front of my gym crush

I’ve never walked into a gym on purpose in my life, and I’m not sure which part is more shocking, the massive beefcake who immediately challenges me to arm wrestle or the fact that I kind of want to come back.

I spent years of my life refusing to lift anything heavier than a textbook, and it shows. I never expected that coming to the gym and bulking up would give me more gender euphoria than all the T shots in the world.

The crush I’m developing on my Golden Retriever of a personal trainer, Butch, though? Yeah, I should have seen that one coming.

Butch is a guy’s guy. Jockstraps, armpit licking, Sweat enthusiast… what could he possibly find exciting about a scrawny, book-ish nerd like me?

I’m just going to try not to drool on him too hard while he helps me get pumped. And I’m for sure not going to do anything stupid like falling in love with him…"]

How can mutual pining be so sweet and fluffy and feel so awkward but not be too angsty? KM achieved it here perfectly (probably had Percy use the scientific method while Butch counted miles or calories burned or something all equally as gross—though their chemistry and equally instant crushes were anything but gross).

And there's nothing like literally all of their friends doing their best to get these two non-communicating idiots together. All of the innuendos and wingman-ing and supportive words. 

Trigger Warnings: internalized dysphoria and more.

#jacked #pumped #grind #gymbos #gymbosseries #kmneuhold #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Werewolf's Deputy (Charmed Away Temp Agency #7)

Here's Amy Padilla's "The Werewolf's Deputy" is the seventh novel in her latest series, Charmed Away Temp Agency. 

["Jonah spent his entire life raised in a human-only community with anti-supe family members trying to brainwash him, to no success. When his father demands he get off his computer and go get a job, he knows accepting a job at a supe-run temp agency is risky, but he’s determined to experience the world and finally see what he was missing. He didn't expect his first assignment to be at the largest supe-run company in the world. Maybe he should have considered asking for a smaller assignment for his first supe experience. Werewolves don’t eat humans, right?

When Emmett notices a nervous human at Spellbound, it’s his job as a member of security to ensure he feels safe. It has nothing to do with thinking the easily startled human is adorable and smells delicious. Out of the kindness of his heart, he offers to be the human’s authority on all things supe, answering all his questions and giving Jonah a safe harbor while he learns. When the adorable human starts receiving some unwanted attention and mentions a fake relationship to give himself a buffer, Emmett is happy to play along. Fake dating should include actual dates, though. Right?"]

And the official tags (because they're the best): ["Jonah has no experience with supes, Emmett is the Supe Guru Extraordinaire, texting is their love language, getting hit on by supes is a little much for Jonah, Emmett volunteers as tribute, dates include kisses, and maybe some other stuff, Taron decides to adopt Jonah, Jonah thinks he’s joking, who’s going to tell him?, Emmett gets growly, Jonah finds out what it’s like to be claimed by a werewolf, guaranteed HEA."]

My GOD did I love this book...even if it made me cry several times. This book was cuteness and fluff overload, plus all of the found family and new friends and pack shenanigans (I really hope we get a pack spin-off).  Jonah and his sweet blushes and sassy replies. Emmett and his wagging tail. The puppy cuddle puddle. The picnic lunches. I can't. 

Plus Taron being...Taron but so mature and so responsible. 

This is one of the books (and the previous one in the series) that I would erase from memory just so I can reread it again. 

Trigger Warnings: species-ism, toxic parents, men who can't understand 'no,' and more.

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

May's Book Shape Challenge 2026

2026 Book Shape Challenges... Last year, I went with an animal-theme. This year, I'm thinking zodiac constellations (which is less--and yet more--of a challenge (we'll see how it goes)).

Here's May's Book Shape Challenge! Taurus!!

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

Unholy Bad Decisions (Not Quite Dead #1)

Here's JF Miev's "Unholy Bad Decisions." It's the first novel in the Not Quite Dead series. 

["TOMMY

I might be a little crazy. I just tried to bribe a priest with a good time. In my defense, he’s not just a priest. He’s Nikolas Stavros—an ex-mercenary, supposedly dead, and the only man who can keep me alive.

I stole from the wrong people, and now I’m on the run. Niko is hot, dangerously capable, and very much not interested in helping a disaster like me. Too bad for him, because when I show up at his church, I’m not exactly giving him the option to say no.

NIKO

A decade of peace shatters the moment a sassy troublemaker lands on my church steps after midnight. I should send him away. The mercenary he’s looking for no longer exists. I’m a man of the cloth now.

But Tommy has zero survival instincts. Without me, he’s as good as dead. The people hunting him aren’t the forgiving type. Protecting him isn’t my job, but the brat is pure temptation. He makes it impossible to say no. And who knows, maybe the crazy mess he drags me into is the kind of out-of-this-world plot twist I’ve been secretly hoping for."]

YES. All of the yes. SOOO much yes!

I loooved these two. They connected instantly, and very nearly instantly was the love. It was fast, sure, but their lives were on the line again and again. The trust was there right away, the protectiveness was there right away, and the feelings were right behind. 

And honestly, I totally forgot about eh paranormal/supernatural aspects until they practically bit me in the ass.

Trigger Warnings: violence, guns, death threats, murder, and more.

#unholybaddecisions #notquitedead #notquitedeadseries #jfmiev #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Callback (Evergreen University #2)

Here's Lee McCormick and RS McKenzie's "Callback." It's the second novel in their new Evergreen University series.

["Luca
My life has always boiled down to two words: be good.
Be good because your grandparents didn’t have to take you in when your dad abandoned you. Be good so you can get a scholarship for college. Be good… and don’t tell anyone what happened freshman year.
But when Maddox Levine tells me I’m good, all the stress, all the worry… it fades away. Being good for him makes me feel like I’m floating… but wanting to be good for my professor…
That might be the thing that makes me fall.

Maddox
I’ve spent twenty years ignoring my past, never allowing my frozen heart to thaw for anyone. I’ve kept most people at arm’s length, my attitude ensuring no one gets too close.
Then I meet Luca and he cracks something inside me that’s been locked up for decades. He’s soft… innocent… sweet. More than I deserve. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting.
Or showing him a whole new world."]

Another fabulous look from Lee and RS. Another slightly dark romance in this universe (that is probably dark for most people but light gray to me). 

These two were perfect for each other. The angst and personal histories and emotional baggage kept them on the edge of falling in love for week. The chemistry and fluff and pining kept them coming back for more. It was a perfect balance.

Also, kinda miss Sandy (and his "psychotic blond boyfriend"--Luca's words, not mine)

Trigger Warnings: discussions of domestic violence against SC, discussion of sexual assault against MC, sexual assault against MC, violence, murder, mentions of homophobia, absent/poor relationship with parents, and more. 

#blitzd #callback #sacked #evergreenuniversity #evergreenuniversityseries #rsmckenzie #leemccormick #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Den of Paradise

Here's "Den of Paradise" by Eryn Hawk. 

["As the head of the most prestigious pack in the city, Caine Devereux doesn’t have the time or desire for a mate. That is until a routine visit to one of his “clubs” sparks an encounter with an omega in heat, and his resolve wavers. For the first time in his life, he’s not repulsed by the scent that greets him, so he lets instinct take over. It’s only three nights, after all? Except, what Caine doesn’t expect is for that same omega to show up on his doorstep two years later, begging for his help.

He shouldn’t get involved, he’s not interested in the archaic existence his father expected of him, but he can’t deny how the wilful little thing has captured his attention—it’s been a while since anyone dared to show him their claws.

Dylan Park is down on his luck, a single man with hardly a penny to his name, and after his first heat compels him into the arms of a powerful stranger, his life takes a turn he never anticipated. He quickly realises there’s no escaping the wolf’s den once you’ve ventured in, and he’s given no choice but to seek the leader’s aid. He’s offered a lifetime of protection, and with his baby girl in mind, Dylan signs on the dotted line, forfeiting his freedom and the chance of a bond like his parents had.

One tryst was all it took to flip his world on its axis, to tie him to an arrogant Alpha who barely tolerates his presence. But is security really worth never experiencing a fairytale ending for himself?"]

I waited for months for this book to come out! I counted down the days...and then it took me days to read. I was apparently not in a place for the kind of angst this book provided.

But it was soooo worth it!

This book was the perfect combination of spice and sass, of fluff and fire, of protection and possession. It was all over the top obsession and denial. It was found family and fate. It was fighting what you desire, fighting what you feel. It was overcoming those fears and accepting that love can concur.  

Trigger Warnings: kidnapping, torture, past sexual coercion/assault, physical abuse, parental death, sexism, feelings of abandonment, old-fashioned ideals/traditions, ableism, asshole parent, scars/permanent injury, hospital aversion, guns/shooting, severe injury, blood and violence, 

#denofparadise #erynhawk #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

the witch doesn't drown in this one (women are some kind of magic #3)

Here's Amanda Lovelace's "the witch doesn't drown in this one." It's the third poetry in her series Women Are Some Kind of Magic

["In this one, the witch doesn’t burn or die or drown. In this one, she rages.

In the witch doesn’t drown in this one, celebrated poetess amanda lovelace revisits the titular voice behind her 2018 bestselling collection the witch doesn’t burn in this one. With candor, honesty, and well-earned wisdom, lovelace expounds on the roller coaster of feelings brought on by simply trying to exist as a woman in the sociopolitical climate of 2025’s America. Through poetry that encompasses a myriad of fem-centric themes, including queer love, trans rights, patriarchal oppression, and intersectional feminism, she demands that women of all backgrounds and lived experiences be seen, heard, defended, and loved.

the witch doesn’t drown in this one is a deeply felt and hard-won reminder that though some stories that start with bitch-fire end with tear stains, women are powerful, resilient beings who have always contained the strength to rise again, especially when we swim back to the surface together."]

another powerful and empowering collection. it screams female rage just loud enough for everyone to hear, even if they want to ignore it. 

#theprincesssavesherselfinthisone #thewitchdoesntburninthisone #thewitchdoesntdrowninthisone #womenaresomekindofmagic #womenaresomekindofmagicseries #amandalovelace #poetry #poetrybooks #poems #poetrycollection #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks