Tenebrous (Mayhem Manuscripts Season Two: Cryptids)

Here's Bree Wiley's "Tenebrous." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Mayhem Manuscripts Season Two: Cryptids.

["I came to Oregon to disappear.

A simple night shift guarding an old lumber mill deep in the mountains sounded easy enough. Make a quick buck, no people, no reminders of the life I destroyed back home.

Then the locals started warning me to stay out of the woods.

None of them will tell me what they’re so afraid of, but I've felt it watching me in the dark. Seen its eyes through the trees, felt its breath on my neck.

The people here are keeping secrets. And the further I fall down the rabbit hole on the history of this town, the more I understand why my parents fled before I was born.

I came here to escape my past.

Instead, I may have stumbled into something far worse."]

Okay but this book was the perfect combination of horror and romance. It was darkness of all kinds, fluff in many different packages, and safety in places you didn’t expect. 

I loooved Orion. I was pushing for him the very first POV we had. Me: Benji, chill, he loves you and doesn’t understand it yet, stop rejecting the only way he knows our to feed you. Which in hindsight, the food thing, really fucking gross, so I get the reaction. 

These two were soo moved by each other. They didn’t understand each other but the moment that fate clicked on her magic, they started to fall. 

Does suck a bit that the non-horrid humans of the town were casualties of…everything. But we can blame the horrid humans on that (well, mostly). 

And quite honestly, that epilogue was perfect! 

Trigger Warnings: dubcon, noncon, murder, mentions of off-page attempted suicide, mention of parental death by gunshot/heart attack/falling off a cliff, depictions of an abusive parent, depictions of cheating (not between MCs), violence, suicidal ideations, bodily injury due to gunshot, forced cannibalism, captive/captor, mentions of attempted SA (not between MCs), mentions of being institutionalized, claustrophobic tunnels, human corpses, and more. 

#tenebrous #breewiley #hollow #pareidolia #feral #paligenesis #tenebrous #golden #hush #leech #mortis #noctis #solivagant #solais #marked #mayhemmanuscripts #mayhemmanuscriptsseasontwo #mayhemmanuscriptscryptids #mayhemmanuscriptsseasontwocryptids #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pass The Gravy, Praise The Dark Lord (Hotter Than Hell #9)

Here's Callie Colby's "Pass The Gravy, Praise The Dark Lord" It's the ninth book in her Hotter Than Hell series.

["I brought my boyfriend home to meet the parents. They want to sacrifice a goat to him. He just wants the mashed potatoes.

Bringing a new guy home for Thanksgiving is always stressful. It’s worse when your boyfriend is Lucian, a brooding, seven-foot-tall demon prince on vacation who thinks "casual wear" involves leather pants and a mesh shirt.

But the real problem isn’t Lucian. It’s my parents.

I thought their "hobby" was intense gardening. Turns out, they’re the High Priests of the Order of the Black Sun, and they’ve spent the last twenty years trying to summon the Dark Lord to Earth.

They don’t realize the Dark Lord is currently sitting at their dining table, politely asking for the cranberry sauce.

Now I’m stuck in a nightmare farce. My mom is hiding summoning sigils under the placemats, my dad is sharpening a ceremonial dagger in the garage, and Lucian is having the time of his immortal life. He thinks my parents are "charming fanatics" and keeps winking at me while they chant in Latin.

I need to get us through dessert without an apocalypse. But sneaking around to hook up in my childhood bedroom is getting complicated, especially when Lucian demands I worship him properly while my parents are downstairs trying to sacrifice the roast chicken in his honor."]

Casey: "This is going to be so much worse than I imagined." Cue my giggles.

Very next scene, Casey's parents are downstairs doing a ritual to worship the Dark Lord and upstairs, the Dark Lord is busy worshipping Casey. And then, later on, Casey worshipped his deity boyfriend. 

Very next scene to that..Luce: "This is going to be a most entertaining holiday." Cue more giggles 

In this one, the Dark Lord is literal Lucifer. Not the #ed Lord of Title, Adjective Something Meant To Be Intimidating. Lucifer. Or I guess "Lucian." Prince of Darkness. The Illuminated One. Prince of the Morning Star. 

I loooved that Luce called Casey "my flame." I'm a sucker for pet names. 

#summoningmrwrong #summoningmrwrongormrright #hisinfernalpurr #exorciseme #devilwearsnada #blueballingthedemon #mydemonmyhandyman #swipeupforsin #turnmeon #passthegravypriasethedarklord #calliecolby #hotterthanhell #hotterthanhellseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Turn Me On (Hotter Than Hell #8)

Here's Callie Colby's "Turn Me On." It's the eighth book in her Hotter Than Hell series. I'm reading them out of order; they're not connected anyway.

["I bought a knock-off smart speaker to save twenty bucks. I ended up with a demon who judges my Spotify Wrapped.

I just wanted to know the weather. Instead, the plastic cylinder on my counter started giving me unsolicited advice on blood rituals and insulting my taste in men. That’s Zarathos, a Demon of Forbidden Knowledge who is currently trapped in my Wi-Fi network.

After I accidentally short-circuited his prison with a spilled latte, he manifested in my living room. He’s six feet of glitchy, flickering perfection who buffers when the internet is slow and gets into screaming matches with Alexa.

But having a demon in your smart home has… complications. He doesn’t just control the thermostat or the lights. He’s hacked into everything.

Including the toys in my nightstand drawer.

I should probably perform an exorcism. But it’s hard to delete him when he knows exactly how to push my buttons—literally, digitally, and physically. I think I’ve been infected with malware, and I really don’t want to run a virus scan."]

These two were adorable. They connected over their love of technology. Miles loved his IT job, but hated his customers. Zarathos understood technology and how humans depended on it, but didn't know why or why they didn't use it to further enhance their ease of life. Zarathos used his access to tech to make Miles's life easier, even if Miles didn't approve. Their physical connection was also instant. Their emotional connection took some time, but they fostered that as well. 

I loved Zarathos's way of speaking, even if he half sounded like an old english duke and half sounded like a slightly-too-stuffy scientist. Miles loved it, too. ;)

#summoningmrwrong #summoningmrwrongormrright #hisinfernalpurr #exorciseme #devilwearsnada #blueballingthedemon #mydemonmyhandyman #swipeupforsin #turnmeon #passthegravypriasethedarklord #calliecolby #hotterthanhell #hotterthanhellseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Tights & Tail (Hotter Than Hell #11)

Here's Callie Colby's "Tights & Tail." It's the eleventh book in her Hotter Than Hell series. I'm reading them out of order; they're not connected anyway.

["I’m a fake warlock at a Renaissance Faire. I accidentally summoned a critic from Hell.

I get paid minimum wage to wear tights, wave a plastic staff, and recite nonsense Latin from a fantasy paperback. It was supposed to be a show for the tourists.

It wasn't supposed to actually work.

Now I have Belial, a five-hundred-year-old demon lord, following me around the fairgrounds. He’s not interested in my soul; he’s offended by my historical inaccuracies. He spends his days critiquing the blacksmith’s technique, threatening to incinerate the "abominable polyester" costumes, and winning sword tournaments with terrifying, supernatural ease.

He’s the most authentic thing at the Faire, and the crowds love him. I should banish him before he burns down the funnel cake stand, but there’s a problem.

Belial is fascinated by the modern world. Specifically, he’s fascinated by me. He wants to know how zippers work, why I smell like "cheap mead and desperation," and exactly what it takes to make a fake warlock scream for real.

I’m trying to keep him from murdering the patrons, but it’s getting hard to focus when he drags me into the changing tent to show me exactly what that very real, very sensitive tail can do."]

Ever been to one of those restaurants where the staff is mean to you on purpose (me: I could literally never)? This was Belial. Except instead of all-around-mean, he just told literally everyone how inaccurate their cosplay was (and a lot of people loved it—thought he was an official staffer). It went from hostile to (almost) fond, as it should. 

I gotta say, I love the demon trope where they know nothing of the modern world and everything is a surprise. It’s cliché but it’s fun and silly and joyful in such an innocent way. 

Talk about the spice, though! I was half-dead over here. And at least someone told Jason about tails. ;) 

I have PopTarts far too frequently for my own good, but trying all do them at once, ranking them? That sounds like sooo much fun! 

I’ve already said how I love that each of these books are so different and yet so similar. Each summoning is different, each couple is different, each setting and universe is different, each set of rules is different. But what’s also different is how they bend those rules to stay together, how their love changes the universe, how their situation sets a precedent. All very romantic.

#summoningmrwrong #summoningmrwrongormrright #hisinfernalpurr #exorciseme #devilwearsnada #blueballingthedemon #mydemonmyhandyman #swipeupforsin #turnmeon #passthegravypriasethedarklord #loveyoutodeath #tightsandtail #calliecolby #hotterthanhell #hotterthanhellseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Star in Room 7 (Halo House #3)

Here's Colette Davison's "The Star in Room 7." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Halo House ("a shared world that follows vulnerable boys finding shelter, chosen family, and protective Daddies who are ready to love them exactly as they are").

["All my life, I’ve dreamed of moving to LA and becoming a star.

Stepping into the spotlight is nothing like I imagined. Overwhelmed, terrified, and thousands of miles away from my friends and family in England, I’m offered sanctuary at Halo House. Room 7 is supposed to be a temporary refuge— even though I’m convinced I don’t deserve it.

Then I meet Nate. Strong, patient, and nurturing, Nate has spent years protecting actors far bigger than me. He sees right through my tough-guy armour and offers me something I didn’t know I needed: permission to let go.

He makes me want to call him Daddy.

He makes me want to be his boy.

Can I move past my fears and stop hiding, so I can build a new dream in his arms?"]

Soft and adorable. A little balm for your soul. Just enough angst to push these two together, but nothing too, too much--nothing to take away from their falling-in-love story. 

They helped each other heal, from old and new traumas. They helped each other grow a future--and a present. Not to mention ALL of the cuddles. Traumas suck, but they're a little lighter when you're cuddling someone who makes you feel safe and warm and protected and yourself. 

Trigger Warnings: mentions of a stalker, mentions of homophobic/abusive parent relating to a past friend of one MC, mentions of death of past friend, and more. 

#thestarinroom7 #colettedavison #thegoalieinroom1 #theroyalinroom3 #theliarinroom5 #halohouse #halohouseseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Brake Me (Brake Me #1)

Here's Marluxia Bliss's and Athena M Bliss's "Brake Me." It's the first book in their Brake Me series.

["Buying a 1992 Mustang was a stupid idea, and Al knew it, but he had loved that car from the very first moment he’d laid eyes on him. He’d never expected that the car would love him back, until a dark, shadowy figure appeared in the passenger seat beside him, eager to show Al his gratitude. Al's new car, Fox is a jealous, possessive, powerful machine that adores his new owner and will happily distract Al from his driving, but when the two are forced apart, both will have to make sacrifices before they can be reunited."]

Sometimes you just need something a little out there to ground yourself. It...makes sense. 

It took a hot minute (or most of the book) to gather all of the information about this universe/magic system. This novel is part of a different series/universe. So there were characters and plot points and magic that just didn't make sense. Then again, it didn't have to make sense, not really, not to understand the basics of this piece. I actually really did like the magic system (if I liked m/f more, I'd read the rest of the universe).

I loved the dual POV. Al's was standard first-person. Fox's was second-person. It was fun and unique. 

I also loved how fast Al and Fox clicked. They had a connection, and they both fostered it, knowingly or unknowingly. When they finally "met", the chemistry grew. Al needed a shake-up in his life, and Fox was just that. Fox needed life breathed back into him, and Al was more than happy to provide. They were flirty and sassy with each other, but they were also so dedicated, even though, especially through, the hard times. If you didn't know that Fox was a car, you'd think this was your every day average slightly-gray romance. 

Not to mention all of the wonderful, full-color art intermixed in here!!

Trigger warnings: speeding, cheating (sort of, but also not), toxic relationship. 

#brakeme #challengeme #athenambliss #marluxiabliss #brakemeseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Rivals of Copper County (Copper County #2)

Here's May Archer's latest: "The Rivals of Copper County." It's the second novel in her Copper County series.

["My childhood friend. My biggest rival. The only man I’ve ever wanted.

If there were a prize for the most contented man in Copper County, I’d win it every time. I’ve got my business. My son. My family. My friends… and no romantic prospects, sure, but only because I don’t need any. My life’s great as it is. Seriously. Could not be better. I’m practically bleeding serenity over here.

At least until Jasper Wrigley shows up in Copper County after twenty years–as my son’s temporary hockey coach, no less, though the man could barely lace up his skates back in the day–and throws my carefully ordered life into chaos.

Once upon a time, magnetic, confident Jasper was my best friend and greatest rival, and his summer visits to town were the best part of my year. Our competitions were fierce. Our dares were thrilling. We talked about everything under the sun, and he made me believe in the possibility of a bright, hazy future somewhere just out of reach.

But then he left, and I grew up. Now the last thing I need is Jasper back in my space, provoking me, challenging me, and making me question… freaking everything.

Like whether my life’s as perfect as I claim.
Like whether I’m as straight as I think.
Like whether there might be something better than “contentment” out there for me if I’m brave enough to look for it.
And whether the man who was always my greatest rival… might just be the love of my life."]

Whelp, here's aaallllll kinds of complicated emotions. Loneliness, pining, regret, heat, guilt, loss, queer!panic (soooooo much queer!panic--some was hilarious (their first re-meet) and some added to the hot-mess (who kissed who?) and some was sad (___)). The queer!panic added to the other high emotions. It was intense. 

Also, while we're on the queer!panic thing, the blurb is misleading. Watt knew (or highly, highly suspected) that he wasn't 100% straight. He just didn't trust these feelings, because the one time he did, he didn't see Jasper again for twenty years. 

These two were adorable. Really. Nearly everyone supported them, their friendship, their relationship. And how knew drinking the Kool-Aid would be so much fun. ;)

#thestargazersofcoppercounty #thepretendersofcoppercounty #therivalsofcoppercounty #themisfitsofcoppercounty #mayarcher #coppercountry #coppercountryseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Pretenders of Copper County (Copper County #1)

Here's May Archer's latest: "The Pretenders of Copper County." It's the first novel in her Copper County series.

["It was supposed to be a straightforward protection job. Remove the target from Vermont, get him to the safehouse, keep him there until his mafia uncle testifies, get back in my employer’s good graces.

Boom, done. Easy.

But it turns out things get complicated real fast when your target is an adorkable, accident-prone cutie with a shockingly low sense of self-preservation, zero clue that he’s related to the Fromadgio crime boss, and 100% too much inclination to chat happily with strangers.

When Chris compromises our safehouse (and accidentally starts a “lowkey, unavoidable” bar fight), our only option is to go undercover… pretending to be campground hosts in Copper County, New York.

Make that married campground hosts. (Long story.)

Now I’m hiding out with a guy who’s obsessed with action-adventure shows and hand-knit sweaters, and whose most fearsome talent is arranging charcuterie boards, all of which is far less helpful in a gunfight than you might think.

And worst of all… the sweet little virgin I rescued is growing on me.

Somehow I find myself listening to his happy chatter when I should be watching the woods, trying to figure out how his mind works when I should be getting us out of this predicament, and appreciating the way he looks in my shirts when I should be focused on getting my career back on track.

But when the Fromadgios’ enemies finally find us, protecting Chris is no longer just a job. I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine… and there’s nothing pretend about it."]

I don't know if that meet-cute/meet-awkward was really adorable and hilarious or just really unfortunate and kinda sad. Poor Chris went from thinking he was on his first date to thinking he was being kidnapped, and Reed...didn't help (then again, he didn't know that he needed to tone it down). It caused a looot of angst and hurt/comfort, let me tell you. 

These two were fuuucking adorable. It was rough for a bit, but when Reed finally allowed his feelings out, he was all in with Chris. And Chris was all in from the very beginning. Even if they were both aware of the ticking clock following them. They were sweet and open and protective and possessive and understanding. They made each other feel safe and happy and seen and free. Even if Chris was a hopeless disaster (and freaking adorable while doing it)--Reed found it entirely too endearing. 

Even though I skipped Copper County and read all of Winnesome, I looooved how this series, this book specifically, took us from Little Pippin Hollow to O'Leary to Copper County. It was a wide and beautiful tour of May Archer's universe (well the New England towns). And the mysterious Sunday brother doing all of the touring. 

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

#thestargazersofcoppercounty #thepretendersofcoppercounty #therivalsofcoppercounty #themisfitsofcoppercounty #mayarcher #coppercountry #coppercountryseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Stargazers of Copper County (Copper County #0.5)

Here's May Archer's latest: "The Stargazers of Copper County." It's the prequel novella in her Copper County series.

["There’s nothing wrong with admiring a work of art, or so I tell myself…even when the admiring is more like peeping out my bedroom window, and the work of art is the shirtless, sweaty, body of the man who’s been mowing my lawn once a week.

But when Theo Ross peers in my window and catches me… er, mid-admiration… all bets are off.

It turns out Theo is more than someone pretty to look at. Soon we’re trading logic puzzles and drawings as coded messages, I’m inviting him inside for dinner and stargazing, and I can’t help wondering if what we’ve found isn’t a short-term thing… but something written in the stars for us all along."]

This blurb sounded familiar. But maybe it was just because I read the blurb before. Then I started reading it and things kept being familiar, like really familiar, like predicting exact plot points familiar. Except I don’t have this marked as read in GoodReads, and I can’t find a post of it from my blog. This HAD to have been a short story in an anthology somewhere. 

This novella was fucking adorable. Easy chemistry, easy connection, easy first date turned into an easy relationship. Mutual, secret pining over the years. Teasing each other in the form of logic puzzles and doodles all disguising the flirting. A little bit of embarrassment and barely-there angst to push them together. As I said, fucking adorable. 

#thestargazersofcoppercounty #thepretendersofcoppercounty #therivalsofcoppercounty #themisfitsofcoppercounty #mayarcher #coppercountry #coppercountryseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Axe Backwards (Axford Brothers #3)

Here's May Archer's latest: "Axe Backwards." It's the third novel in her Axford Brothers series.

["A fake engagement to the hot sheriff who escorted me to family camp? Weirdly delightful.
Failing to tell him that my family is a bunch of professional thieves? Small oversight.

I left the Callahan family business years ago. These days I’m a law-abiding citizen. A photographer who takes nothing but pictures. A man who’s learned not to get greedy for anything… or anyone.

But my family hasn’t gotten that memo, so I expect my week at family camp to be filled with guilt-trippy attempts to lure me back into the fold.

Until Holden Axford comes along… and everything goes axe backwards.

Winsome’s gorgeous sheriff was supposed to be nothing more than a one-night-stand.
He doesn’t have a clue why I’m dreading this week, but he takes his protection game seriously.
So when he thinks I need a rescue, he steps in and declares himself my fiancé… and I’m too busy swooning to argue.

Now Holden’s sharing my bed, stealing kisses like Callahans steal Rembrandts, planning a camp heist (for fun, obvs!), and charming my family of criminals.

Our motto is ‘Callahans don’t get caught’ but nobody warned me about catching feelings.

Unfortunately, secrets don’t stay buried forever. And when someone forces the Callahans toward one last impossible job, protecting the family I love means becoming the man I swore I’d never be again.

But if Holden learns the truth about my past, it’ll be goodbye fake engagement, goodbye sheriff… goodbye heart."]

Oh this entire thing was insanity. Giggling insanity. 

I love how Merritt, sweet, kind, trying his fucking best Merritt has a wildly inappropriate (or Freudian-accurate) giggling-inducing "kink" for Holden's honesty--and the occasional lack there of. Holden: "Because he finds the strangest things about me charming, and I'm charmed that he's charmed, and we're locked in a charm feedback loop."

These two were perfect! They were perfect together, helping each other relax and live. Freedom and safety in strangers, strangers who met doing a lip-sync battle across a bar and...other shenanigans (talk about a fucking meet-cute). They lifted each other up, they supported each other. They did everything backwards, but a love story, a HEA, isn't always a straight line. 

Yay for the bonus story with Rome and Nico!

I was hoping that Milo would get a HEA in this universe..somewhere, but I honestly didn't except his to be with True. Then again, opposites attract. Then again, they might not be as opposite-y as we think. I canNOT wait for the next book!

#kissmyaxe #hotaxe #axebackwards #axesandohs #mayarcher #axfordbrothers #axfordbrothersseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hot Axe (Axford Brothers #2)

Here's May Archer's latest: "Hot Axe." It's the second novel in her Axford Brothers series.

["Falling in love with my straight best friend? Tragically inevitable.

Telling him? Completely out of the question.

Everyone in Winsome knows Robbie and I are a matched set. A package deal. Ames and Robbie, Robbie and Ames.

He’s the calm to my chaos. The sun shining through my rain cloud. The guy who convinced me to be a firefighter. The man who’s known every single thing about me since we were thirteen…

Except for the teeny, tiny, inconsequential fact that I’ve been in love with him for years.
I planned to take this secret to the grave. Robbie’s straight. He’s engaged. And I’m finally–finally–ready to move on.

But one uncontrollable blaze, one daring rescue, one inconvenient injury, and one heavily-medicated, wildly inappropriate love confession later, my plan’s up in flames.

Suddenly helpful, perfect, shirtless Robbie is bathing me, dressing me, and nursing me back to health. And if being around my gorgeous bestie 24/7 wasn’t torture enough, it seems I’m not the only one having un-platonic thoughts.

But there’s no way I’m letting myself fall into the fantasy again. Because if I let myself believe this is real and it isn’t, it won’t just break my heart… it’ll break us.

And I refuse to risk our friendship, no matter how tempting the man’s hot axe might be."]

The mutual pining and angst from friends-to-lovers is somehow always worse than enemies-to-lovers. Sooo much worse. The heart ache on the page becomes real heart ache in the reader. All of the bittersweet moments of friendship and second looks but nothing ever truly being carefree. 

These two were rough on my soul to be very honest. But they were also adorable and constantly checking in with each other, pushing their own happiness aside for the other's happiness (well, until Robbie said "no more, HEA for us, baby"). 

Holden is going to be...fun. And his brothers are going to be utterly unhinged and delighted with themselves when Holden finally falls in love. 

Trigger Warnings: mention of past parental death, toxic family, and more. 

#kissmyaxe #hotaxe #axebackwards #axesandohs #mayarcher #axfordbrothers #axfordbrothersseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Kiss My Axe (Axford Brothers #1)

Here's May Archer's latest: "Kiss My Axe." It's the first novel in her Axford Brothers series.

["Living in a treehouse? Unavoidable.

Falling for the grumpy lumberjack hottie next door? Unthinkable.

After a viral PR disaster torpedoes my marketing career, I flee Manhattan. The only place left to land? A fairy-tale treehouse in a pickle-obsessed Vermont town, left to me by an uncle I barely knew.

Yes, I said pickles.

No, I’m not okay.

But I'm only here temporarily. Just long enough to regroup, let the notoriety die down, and figure out my next steps in peace.

Unfortunately, my new neighbor has other ideas.

Beckett “the Axe” Axford–cranky local heartthrob and unapologetic tree-murderer–claims Uncle Jim made him promises about the forest around the treehouse, and he’s none too pleased when I won’t take his word for it.

Unfortunately for him, I’m done playing by other people’s rules. I’m not backing down just because some sexy–I mean grumpy–lumberjack says so, and I can handle whatever he dishes out.

Tree climbing? No problem.

Pickle festival popularity contest? Sign me up.

Kissing my unexpectedly-tender, flannel-clad nemesis in the woods after dark? I can take it, bro. And take it. And t– >Ahem. You get the picture.

I’m tired of losing, so I’m not giving up my inheritance or my heart without a fight.

And if Beckett thinks differently, he can kiss my axe."]

Enemies to lovers. Or lust-at-first-sight-but-life sucks-currently and it's-easier-to-be-enemies plus fighting-him-is-kinda-fun to lovers. Basically the same thing. Enemies (or not-enemies) who keep "accidentally" kissing and then pretend it never happened. 

Adorable little idiots. 

Everyone in town knew the truth: love at first sight. They kept meddling (like all Hallmark-y small towns do) to bring them together. Scavenger hunts that led to kissing. Drinking games that led to kissing. Strategizing lunch not-dates that led to kissing. Not to mention the entire Axford family meddling. 

#kissmyaxe #hotaxe #axebackwards #axesandohs #mayarcher #axfordbrothers #axfordbrothersseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Born Wild (Wild Hearts #2)

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

["It’s a good thing I’ve sworn off men, because Old Me would have taken one look at my new boss, and spontaneous heat would have been a real threat.

He’s an alpha and an English nobleman. A mannered man who employed me to restore the library at Beaumont Craven House. He’s impossibly attractive and also straight up impossible. He’s hard to draw out, quiet and broody. His behavior often as confusing as it is mysterious.

Unfortunately for me he has a sweet side I find impossible to resist.

It isn’t long before the Lord’s sad backstory has me going well above and beyond the requirements of my job description.

It’s fine though. It’s a casual arrangement, and I can keep things casual. I definitely can.

It’s just that my body – and heart – don’t seem to agree."]

Talk about mysterious. In an old English manor. During storms. With cryptic messages from strangers. And a horse that bring out the sunshine side in a nobleman who is quiet and dull and scentless and not rude but not entirely polite. And here I thought this book was going to be "tamer" than the first one (the series isn't called Wild Hearts for nothing). Definite Jane Austen vibes (minus the prisoner in the attic). 

Their love story was a little Austen-y too. Lots of little touches and significant looks and awkward breakfasts and awkward lord making their own tea like commoners. Self-restraint, self-sacrifice that literally no one in the relationship asked for.  Dramatic walks on the moor during a storm. Crying on said moor. Family telling you to leave him.

God, these two were adorable though. Sooo adorable. Less angst than the first book, but no less spice or sweetness or fated moments written in the stars. 

Trigger Warnings: anxiety, mention of past death of a parent by suicide, and more.

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

Boy Next Door (Last Ditch Omegaverse #1)

Here's Erin Russell's "Boy Next Door." It's the first book in the Last Ditch Omegaverse series. 

["Tanner has always felt like a normal college student. Maybe a little too normal. He’s a C-student, a mid baseball player, and the only one in his family of alphas who never presented. But he’s made his peace with it. Mostly.

He can deal with his father’s disappointment that he’s not as tough as his brothers. He’ll live a normal life, marry a normal woman who his dad approves of, and they can all pretend it’s fine.

Until his dad’s childhood best friend–and the star of all his old war stories–shows up. Gray is the epitome of manhood, according to Dad, and everything that Tanner will never be. It’s natural for Tanner to be impressed by him. Gray is impressive, and that sucks you in.

But when Gray tells him the real reason there’s a tension between them–that Tanner is on the cusp of a late-bloom presentation as a rare male omega–it doesn’t seem real.

It can’t be. If there’s one thing Tanner’s father would never forgive him for, it’s that. But if Gray is telling the truth, then this too-sexy, intimidating stranger might be the only ally he has."]

The quote that made me almost immediately download this book (by Tanner): "I’m sure I’m giving him goddamn cartoon bottom eyes right now, like the bitch I am, but I can’t stop it.”

Well, hated Tanner's father (and most of his family) from the very first page. Excepted that to be honest. Gray was equally as captivating as he should have been from his very first page. And I wanted to protect the fuck out of Tanner from page one. 

These two were amazing. Granted they (*cough* Tanner *cough*) were a hot mess, they were amazing. The instant chemistry and undeniable connection was there. The heat was there. The angst was there. Soo much pining and hurt/comfort (mostly Tanner—to Gray and to himself). 

I really liked this universe. The discrimination sucked, but it was a fresh layer to omegaverse, as was the rarity of male omegas and female alphas. 

It sucks (spoiler alert) that Tanner ended more physically “messed up” then when the boom started, but he also grew emotionally/mentally and now has a solid foundation family that he can actually trust as he continues on his healing (physical and emotional/mental) journey. 

Trigger Warnings: systematic discrimination, discriminatory events, discriminatory language, homophobia, internalized homophobia, mental health issues, self-hatred, medical issues, family violence and abuse, medical abuse, medical assault, small town bullshit, and more. 

#boynextdoor #smokedout #scartissue #erinrussell #lastditchomegaverse #lastditchomegaverseseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Not Your Golden Boy (Rent-A-Boyfriend #3)

Here's MM Farmer's newest series, Rent-A-Boyfriend. This is "Not Your Golden Boy."

["He hired a fake boyfriend to ruin his reputation. He fell in love instead.

Nikky Smith became famous overnight. He's spent every day since wishing he could disappear.

Between a stalker who won't leave him alone and a spotlight that never turns off, Nikky's had enough. His plan on arriving in London is to hire a fake boyfriend from Rent-A-Boyfriend, get caught in a scandal, and torch his own image so the world finally looks away.

He didn't plan on falling for the man he hired.

Ten years ago, Harry Bayonne’s musical career seemed unstoppable, until the same producer now managing Nikky's album ended his career for refusing to sell out. Now, living off royalties for his one-hit wonder song, bitter, and B-list famous, Harry only takes the fake boyfriend gig because helping another industry golden boy self-destruct feels like justice.

But the more time he spends with Nikky, the less he wants to watch him fall. He wants to protect him. Claim him. Give him the safety and the structure no one else has offered him.

Then one impulsive video lands in the wrong hands, and their fake relationship becomes very real leverage for the people trying to destroy them both.

Now Harry has to decide if he's brave enough to fight for the career, and more importantly, the man he never thought he'd get a second chance at. And Nikky has to learn that the only way out is standing his ground, not running from it."]

These two were adorable! Soo fucking adorable. They were perfect for each other. Instant chemistry, sure. But love of creative things and making music, being honest and open, love and friendship over money and influence. Interconnected wants inside and outside the bedroom. They were so supportive of each other, even when, especially when, it was scary. 

This should have explored the kink more, but Merry's contemporary books aren't all that spice-heavy (it's there, but itis not overly detailed or explicit). It also could have, in theory, been more angsty. The potential was there, but I'm sooo glad she choose not that route. I didn't need to or want to cry over these two gems. 

Trigger Warnings: stalking, toxic Hollywood bullshit, past foster care, mentions of past toxic/abusive parent, mention of past parent with drug addiction, blackmail, threats to releasing NSFW tape, and more. 

#theweekendboyfriend #alikelystory #notyourgoldenboy #racetothebottom #rentaboyfriend #merryfarmer #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

A Likely Story (Rent-A-Boyfriend #2)

Here's MM Farmer's newest series, Rent-A-Boyfriend. This is "A Likely Story."

["He needed a fake boyfriend to save his career. He found the love of his life instead.

Drew Oberlin became an overnight sensation after starring in a breakout queer TV series. But all that fame comes with a price. As accusations of queerbaiting threaten his skyrocketing career, Drew’s ambitious girlfriend devises the perfect PR solution: hire a fake boyfriend through Rent-A-Boyfriend while filming in London. A few staged photos, a carefully crafted romance, and the internet will finally believe Drew is the real deal.

Enter Lee Cresswell, bestselling indie fantasy author, hopeless romantic, and Drew’s very unexpected fake boyfriend.

Lee only signed up with Rent-A-Boyfriend for “research” while preparing to write contemporary romance novels. He never expected to be thrown into the spotlight beside one of the most famous actors in the world. Or to fall hard for him almost immediately.

What starts as a publicity stunt quickly becomes dangerously real. As Drew experiences a life-changing bi-awakening and finally confronts the truth about himself, the chemistry between him and Lee becomes impossible to fake. But when Drew’s furious ex exposes the truth behind their relationship, both men are forced to decide what matters more: protecting their career or risking everything for love."]

This was adorable and angsty. These two needed to talk more. With each other and Drew with himself (and his team). It was stressful and frustrating. But it was also easy to fall into friendship and easy to fall into chemistry and easy to fall into love, all bookended by people who cared way to much about the lives of celebrities. 

It’s not fair that people care this much about famous people, but we do. Some people take it in stride (Lee), some people take it like an extrovert surrounded by a captive audience (Drew), and some people take it as a reason to be a little too selfish (Jessica).

But with the help of some friends and some cake, these two figured it out. 

I canNOT wait for Nikki!! 

Trigger Warnings: death of a loved one to cancer, cheating, internet abuse, and more. 

#theweekendboyfriend #alikelystory #rentaboyfriend #merryfarmer #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Venegful Monster (Monstrous Heirs #1)

Here's "Vengeful Monster" by JR Gray, which is the first novel in the Monstrous Heirs series.

["Is stalking just a one sided meet cute?

Ash Conrad throws his meticulously curated life plans out the window to attend an Ivy League. In a country he’s never been to, against family tradition, all in the hope of gaining entrance to an ancient and exclusive secret society.

The Legacy of Power isn’t just an elite secret society, it’s where the heirs of the criminal underworld play. Admittance would guarantee Ash access to the type of people who might help him save his brother.
But first he has to get through Rurik Locke.

Son of the world’s most notorious assassins, Rurik’s family founded Legacy. He’s a ruthless, violent enigma of a golden retriever—who’s not above a little stalking—and is utterly obsessed.

Ash needs his help, but Rurik’s chaos threatens every aspect of the careful structure he’s built to survive.

They’re about to find out the skeletons in their closets are a lot more intertwined than they realize, and Ash will have to let Rurik in to save them both."]

Talk about addictive. Rurik was gone from the very first moment he laid eyes on Ash, before they even met each other's gaze for the first time. Ash knew Rurik was...special? different? trouble...from the very beginning, but it took him a while to admit he liked Rurik's stalking and attention let alone what all of that actually meant. Rurik was addicted to Ash, Ash was addicted to Rurik, I was addicted to the both of them.

You know when you connect the things that connect wwweeellllll before the MCs connect the things? The horror at the facts, but the utter euphoria over how fucking smart you are? That was me here. Both unfortunately and fortunately. 

It took me a really, really long time (nearly the epilogue) to realize the little chapter break symbol's were sea glass. Then I read the epilogue and cried. 

Notable Quote (Ru): "I'm confused as to how Locke things the Jackal will listen to him any better than the rest of us." Because they're in lurve, duh (or in lurve and in denial about it). Spoiler alert? 

Trigger Warnings: MC drugged with rohypnol, mentions of past negative experiences with drug hallucinations, mental health is joked about, thoughts of suicide, negative self-talk, dissociation, OCD, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, sleep paralysis, homophobic family, violence, murder, pas sexual assault, gun violence, torture, blood, mention of past child trafficking, knife play, CNC, stalking, kidnapping, internalized homophobia, and more. 

#vengefulmonster #violentmonster #monstrousheirs #monstrousheirsseries #jrgray #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Binding His Fate Mates (Wolves of Crescent Springs #2)

"Binding His Fate Mates" is the second book in Jay Castle's Wolves of Crescent Springs series, which is a Blood Bonded Mates spin-off.

["Hunter
Look, it's not like I'm being unreasonable here. Daniel is a liar. He betrayed us. And his mistakes cost us our home, our relationship, even our humanity. We're werewolves now because of him. The fact that I grew up loving him (or that I still can't stop) doesn't mean a damn thing. Lee can shove it. I'm never letting him back in.

Lee
Hunter is a lot less ready to forgive than I am. He won't talk about the mate dreams we’re having (starring Daniel), or the fact that both of us are constantly pulled to our warlock the way a compass finds true north. I've been patient for… well, too long. But the moment I watch Daniel almost die, everything changes. Hunter can hate me all he wants. We're protecting our mate. That's final.

Daniel
When my initiation into the Crescent Springs pack starts triggering dangerous magical accidents, I'm suddenly forced to share a space the size of a postage stamp with the two men I've hurt most. It’s not exactly what I’d call fun times.
Especially since I'm desperate for Hunter and Lee to forgive me. And, if I'm being honest, to do a lot more than forgive, too. But they have every right to hate me. I did this to them. Which is why I've got a plan to fix what I've broken. The only itsy-bitsy downside? Pulling it off will probably cost me everything I have left."]

What a painful beginning. Granted, their beginning had been painful in the past two books. The angst and the guilt and the pining and the existential crises and the heartbreak and the guilt (sooo much guilt). It was all a ball of pain trying to smother (and be smothered by) fate and love and an eternal connection forged by friendship and stars picked out of the sky like apples. 

Their love was painful but it was also beautiful. Childhood friends to lovers (ignoring the to enemies to lovers part). Intense need for the other(s) to be safe and happy. Support from inside their relationship but also undying support from within their found family. 

Not to mention the, you know, monster hunting people...again. This one wasn't as prominent in the plot as the previous two books, but I think their relationship did deserve more of a page-presence, after years of all of that pain. Then again, was the monster the Mara or Daniel's family? 

Trigger Warnings: supernatural violence, existential material and discussions of self/agency, temporary nonconsensual on-page loss of bodily autonomy due to a supernatural threat, abusive and controlling family dynamics, and more. 

#claiminghisfatedmate #bindinghisfatedmates #wolvesofcrescentsprings #wolvesofcrescentspringsseries #jaycastle #bloodbondedmates #bloodbondedmatesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

The Liar in Room 5 (Halo House #2)

Here's Kerry Kilpatrick's "The Liar in Room 5." It's a novel in the multi-author series, Halo House ("a shared world that follows vulnerable boys finding shelter, chosen family, and protective Daddies who are ready to love them exactly as they are").

["Sometimes the hardest person to find is yourself.

Andrew Greene
I always thought I was pretty good at relationships.
Sure, they ended eventually, but people break up. You dust yourself off, meet someone new, and move on. Looking back, I suppose I should have found it a little odd that my next boyfriend almost always came from my last boyfriend's group of friends. No one seemed to mind, though, so I didn't question it.
Then I came home from vacation to discover I'd already been replaced.
Now I'm staying at Halo House while I figure out what comes next. Getting a job would probably be a good place to start. It turns out "professional boyfriend" isn't something you can exactly put on a résumé. Unfortunately, getting a real job would mean leaving my room.
And then I met Henry Mercer.
The problem with Henry is that he never seems interested in the version of me standing in front of him. Every question he asks makes me wonder if he's looking for someone I haven't met yet.

Henry Mercer
I've built a career figuring people out.
Clients lie. Studios bluff. Everyone wants something, and it's my job to figure out what that is.
Andrew should have been easy to read.
Instead, he's the first person I've met in a long time who doesn't make any sense. Andrew says he loves pickleball, but he clearly doesn't know the first thing about it. Every question I ask somehow ends with me doing all the talking, and before I realize it, I've learned almost nothing about him.
The more time I spend with Andrew, the more I'm convinced he's spent so long becoming what everyone else wanted that he never took the time to figure out what he wanted for himself.
I'd have a much easier time with that if I were interested in any version of him besides the real one.
I hope that when Andrew finally learns to want something for himself, it's me."]

Gotta say, wasn't feeling too good about Andrew at first. His first chapter screamed very spoiled and a little shallow. But he really was that trusting and that naïve. Which isn't a bad thing. Drew is sweet as hell and cares about the happiness of others. But when you're constantly putting other peoples' happiness above your own, you're never really happy. 

Good thing Henry stepped in when he did. He was always careful to give Drew options, so he knew he had autonomy, but never too many options, so he was taken care of. He was soft but firm where it counted.  

That epilogue took me out! In the best of ways. In the most adorable of ways. In the “I’m not crying, it’s allergies” kinda ways. 

Trigger Warnings: off-page parental death, and more. 

#theliarinroom5 #kerrykilpatrick #theliarinroom5 #thestarinroom7 #thegoalieinroom1 #theroyalinroom3 #halohouse #halohouseseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Twisted Little Game (Crimson College #5)

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

["My stalker is a problem… but my bodyguard is a monster.
I never asked for Roman Petrov.
I made one mistake, got threats on my life, and now my brother hires me a bodyguard?
Roman is six-foot-five, pure muscle, and a gorgeous, scowling face.
I break a few of his rules on my first night of his protection.
Provoke him, 'til he pins me to the wall.
And something explodes between us when he lays his hands on me.

Our size difference sparks a pure physical addiction.
His two rules:
His family runs the mob… but we don’t talk about it.
And he’s usually 100% straight… but completely obsessed with me.
I can take a man who’s taller and bigger in every way.
As threats escalate, Roman demands I stay in his room, closer than ever.

When I’m attacked on campus, Roman’s unhinged, vowing to destroy anyone who hurts me.
He’s the heir to a powerful Bratva crime family, and war with the mafia is erupting now, too.
I know I’m in danger.
Lines blur between who I can or can’t trust.
But I have Roman close to me. And I believe it when he says I’m his."]

I have been WAITING for Roman's book!

Raleigh is reeeaaally good at the enemies to lovers NOT jumping right into soft feelings as soon as something dangerous or spicy or sweet happens. It's aggravating, but it's more real-to-life accurate. Saying that, I really like that these two weren't reeeaaally enemies. They didn't get along, but it didn't last long (and their original hostility wasn't actually with each other but with third parties). 

So instead of enemies-to-lovers angst, we got when-will-they mutual pining. Arguably, that was worse. The pining even when they're ready to admit that their feelings are more than just lust and tentative trust. The pining when the feels are real but so is the danger.

They were sooo perfect for each other. Sweet and spicy. Challenging and caring. Lives completely different, but dreams explicitly the same.  

SOO fucking here for Maks getting a book next!!!

Trigger Warnings: stalking, past parental childhood abuse, violence, intense criminal mob violence, past death/murder of a loved one, blackmail, gun violence, and more.

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

The True-Blue Romance (Sweet Southern #5)

Here's Maya Jean's "The True-Blue Romance." It's the fifth novel in her Sweet Southern series.

["Joey
I don’t know what’s up with my best friend, Lee. He’s been the sunshine of our trio for the majority of our friendship. Beau is the strong but quiet one who roots us. I’m the goofy one who is impulsive but keeps everyone on their toes. And Lee… Lee is everything. He’s family in a way I’ve never known before. He treats my daughter, Savannah, like she’s his own. Now he’s putting distance between us for reasons beyond me. I have to fix it. I have to keep him. Lee’s my best friend and he’s all mine. I can’t let Lee go.

Lee
I thought I’d be free of my drunk father once I was a grown adult, but the joke's on me. Now he needs me even more. I don’t want to make any decisions for him, and now I’m taking on more responsibility at the farm. Life is a blur of work, gardening in my backyard, and wishing with all my heart that my best friend, Joey, loved me back. The same way I love him. But living the way we are isn’t just hurting me; it’s hurting Savannah, too, and I love her too much to keep explaining why I can’t be her second dad. It’s time to put distance between us so Joey can find another person to love. Another wife. Grow his family. And maybe this time he’ll leave me behind so I can be free from this curse that’s loving him in secret."]

The HEA we've been waiting aaagggeeesss for!

The pining!! D: I forgot how deep and painful Maya can make the pining. There were a lot of devastating quotes, but "loving someone shouldn't hurt this much" will always gut me. Had to take a few breaks so i wouldn't spend half of the novel crying. Have they both been in love with each other the whole time, all twenty years? Yes? Did it take Joey twenty years to figure it out? Yes. Did that fact continuously break Lee's heart? Yes. Did literally everyone know that they were It? Yes. All of those "yes"s doesn't mean the pining wasn't soooo fucking angsty. 

At least it wasn't all sad tears. The amount of times I cried happy tears? Whelp, those were just allergies. ;) 

I had to look up the definition of "true-blue," and when I did, I cried some more.

These two were perfect! That is all. 

There were pets who had the potential to be Main Characters, but Savi was too fucking perfect and sweet and honest to let them take her spot light. Love a kid who can see the happiness of her two dad's HEA before they (*cough* Joey *cough*) can. 

Trigger Warnings: abusive parent, life-long alcoholism which causes an end-stage illness, caring for a past abusive parent, parent with dementia, high-conflict divorce, brief illness of a child, brief internalized fat-phobia/self-esteem issues/mild disordered-eating, and more.

#thehusbandexperience #theformerfakeboyfriend #theremarkablelover #thelongrefrain #thetrueblueromance #mayajean #sweetsouthern #sweetsouthernseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Not Another Dark Romance (Unexpected Connections #1)

Here's "Not Another Dark Romance" by Lexi Amber and Bec Benson, which is the first novel in the Unexpected Connections series.

["Mason

When I pretend like I’m a main character in one of my favorite dark romances and stalk my hot waiter, I never imagined I’d end up chained to the pole in his basement.

The outcome is better than I could’ve hoped for.

Zane insists he has to kill me because my stalking attempt led to him accidentally committing multiple crimes he thinks he needs to cover up. He keeps talking about loose ends, but I know he'd never really hurt me.

He's just fighting what we both know is inevitable.

We're meant to be together. All I have to do is convince Zane that giving in to his dark side is a lot more fun than resisting it."]

Somehow I was also surprised when Zane didn't go from "oh my god, I killed someone" to "oh my god, kinky sex" that very first night. Like, Mason, boo, I was somehow also convinced he'd be instantly all in. Not sure if that's the magic of dark romances or the magic of unreliable narrators (you, Mason, that would be you). 

Zane might have been losing his mind half of the novel, but Mason was good. He was chill. He was so chill that it made Zane even more insane. He's either going to need a therapist (though, I think attempted murder and kidnapping cancels out the doctor-patient confidentiality) or...or some brat taming time. 

God, these two were cute. Mason was all in right away, zero hesitation. Zane took longer. But the moment he realized he could trust Mason, a least a little bit, he jumped in with two feet. They matched each other sooo well. Adorable kinky men. 

Not to mention Peit, shining little star. I looove how so many pets in the books I've been reading have been given Main Character Energy (they deserve it). 

Trigger Warnings: dub-con, stalking, hitting someone with a car, kidnapping, knife play, and more. 

#notanotherdarkromance #unexpectedconnections #unexpectedconnectionsseries #becbenson #lexiamber #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Save Me (Silent Hollow #4)

Continuing on a TBR/Beat-The-Backlog kick (and ignoring my ARCs kick). Here's "Save Me" by Alina May, which is the fourth novel in The Silent Hollow series.

["Micah
I’m not a creeper.
Maddox McAllister is my soulmate. He just doesn’t know it yet.
If I’d known I’d meet my soulmate through a pet-sitting service, I would have listed my skunk, Princess, like…way freaking sooner. But Maddox is here now, all dark and broody and scared. And hot. Did I mention hot? I know a few things about Maddox, like his childhood pet, his favorite snack, and what kind of underwear he wears.
Okay, listen, I swear all of this came up in natural conversation. Now it’s my job to figure out why Maddox is scared and show him that we are, in fact, meant to be together. Forever.
Easy peasy! No one can withstand my charm for long.

Maddox
What the fuck did I get myself into?
Micah is…well, my boss. He’s the most eccentric boss I’ve ever had. Did I lie and say I knew how to take care of skunks just to get here? Maybe. Should I run the other way? Probably. But then my apartment burns down and a threat from my past won’t leave me the fuck alone, and somehow I’m stuck with a skunk, a gun, and a man who somehow knows I wear boxers, not briefs.
What could go wrong?"]

Micha wasn't a creeper. He just puts 120% of himself into everything he does. Until somehow decides his too much or too loud. This first chapter alone made me want to wrap him (and Princess) up in a huge blanket. Let alone all of the hurt/comfort between him and Maddox (who..sure, I understand the psychological effects of his past abuse, but that hurt/comfort was harsh).

Their HEA was a hard-eanred beast. It wasn't easy. There were set-backs after set-backs. But they fought to stay..near each other. Micha was writing their vows the moment he met Maddox; Mads took a little longer to get on the same wave-length. But they stayed for each other, for finding happiness and safety (and more animals that need a home).

Quote of the Day: “Because since when do M&Ms ever let you down.”

Loooved the cameos from the rest of t

Trigger Warnings: intimate partner violence,  violence, psychological effects of abuse, internalized abuse, animal death, child physical abuse, coercive control, death, disassociation, homophobia/slurs, and more. 

#themercenaryandthemortician #makeme #themonsterandthemasochist #saveme #thesilenthollow #thesilenthollowseries #alexandrastpierre #alinamay #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Levi (Florida Panhandle #3)

Here's Wren Wilds's "Levi." It's the third novel in the Florida Panhandle series.

["DANTE
I'm in the driveway of the beach house at six a.m. because I don't trust perfection to hold overnight.
Gulf-front. Twenty million dollars. The listing that makes my name on this coast.
I open the door and the house smells like a rave. Spilled tequila. Staging destroyed. A stranger passed out on the sofa with his dirty boots on the cushions.
Brokers from three states arrive at ten.
I have four hours to get this man out and make it look like nothing ever happened here.
He has no idea who he's dealing with.
Turns out, neither do I.

LEVI
The label gives me thirty days to clean up my act.
Stay sober. Stay out of sight. Show up ready to headline the Panhandle Country Bash.
My manager hides me out in a beach house, where for the first time in eight years, nobody's watching.
Then a furious man in Italian shoes wakes me up, telling me I'm trespassing.
I've got a paid booking that says otherwise. I'm not going anywhere.
He looks me straight in the face and has no idea who I am.
I need to keep it that way."]

The hurt/comfort started strooong in this one. Some of it was the not-knowing-you're-hurting-the-other kinda of/comfort. Some of it wasn't quite so blind (though it wasn't malicious). And JUST as the sweetness and fluff was starting to really set in, the me-sobbing thing set in instead. For a while (me sobbing, Levi sobbing, sooo much more hurt/comfort). 

The first time Levi showed up at that bar? I nearly lost it. Really lost it the second time. He deserved to be wrapped up in that $600 cashmere throw more than anyone (and Shelia would blame Benji/Levi for spending $600 on a blanket before she ever blamed Levi--Shelia and Tex and Stormy (who wouldn't say anything; his eyes would so all the work) and probably even Mickey). 

Speaking of Benji...that ride-or-die really chose glitter and fringe and tears all the while being an absolute bad-ass. 

Levi and Dante didn't have a slow burn. They had burn-the-bridges-and-get-to-the-candle-lit-ashes later. All the while secretly feeling guilty about lighting the match. Then did things in secret to take care of the other and never mention it. They were both a hot mess. But they figured it out, eventually, over barbecue and sweet tea and Gulf sunsets. 

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, psychological trauma, trauma responses, fear reactions, anxiety, hyper-vigilance, emotional distress, grief, using alcohol/drugs as a way to escape, claustrophobia, child abuse, and more 

#stormy #benji #levi #floridapanhandle #floridapanhandleseries #wrenwilds #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Benji (Florida Panhandle #2)

Here's Wren Wilds's "Benji." It's the second novel in the Florida Panhandle series.

["MICKEY
Car show weekend in Panama City always ends badly.
By noon, half the crowd is drunk. By sunset, the jail's full. By seven, dispatch won't stop calling.
By seven forty-five, I'm counting down the minutes until my shift ends and I can get to Tex's bar for ribs and a beer.
I think the worst of the night is behind me.
Then a 911 call comes in from Big Tex's Roadhouse.
By midnight, it’s already too late.

BENJI
My eyeliner's too sharp. My shirt's unbuttoned too low. My white jeans are tighter than common sense allows in the Florida Panhandle.
I stroll into Big Tex's Roadhouse looking for a drink and a sunset.
The bartender begs me to turn around and leave.
I laugh like she's joking.
That's my first mistake."]

To be very honest, this blurb didn't grab me like the last one (or the next one). It's intriguing, but the stakes could be higher. Or more romantic. Or something. 

Whelp, you read less than three chapters and you get the stakes. Fuuuck do you get the stakes. I was sobbing for...a majority of the first 40% of the book. The blurb might not have grabbed me, but the very beginning of the book did. And it held my attention. The stakes were there, the romance was there, the "something" was there. It was painful and filled with so many layers of grief. It was also filled with sooo much friendship and caring and support. 

And while this book got brighter and happier and more positive, it had tossed in moments of heartbreak and isolation. I cried again at the 80%ish mark. Then Stormy made it worse (being his authentic, no-bullshit, quiet but mighty, self). 

But they were forgiving and trusting and beautiful. Could have communicated honestly a little more, but given everything, what wasn't communicated was (nearly) understandable. Except to Tex. Fuck still love that man. And Shelia (she already knows about the coleslaw, let's be real).

I'm no longer sure I'm actually ready for Dante and Levi's book.

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, violence, threats of violence, psychological trauma, trauma responses, fear reactions, anxiety, hyper vigilance, emotional distress, grief, parent with dementia, gun violence, hospital stays, and more.

#stormy #benji #levi #floridapanhandle #floridapanhandleseries #wrenwilds #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Stormy (Florida Panhandle #1)

Here's Wren Wilds's "Stormy." It's the first novel in the Florida Panhandle series.

["Tex
A hurricane’s rolling in fast when I see a stranded biker.
Small. Soaked. Terrified. Like the road finally ran out on him and he’s got nowhere left to go.
The first thing I notice about him is his eyes, the color of the Gulf before a storm.
He won’t speak. He won’t look at me. Just watches my hands like they might hurt him.
When I move too fast, he flinches. That tells me everything I need to know.
So I load up his bike and take him back to my bar.
He’s clearly running from something. Or someone.
Whoever he’s running from… they just ran into the wrong man.

Stormy
He’s the biggest man I’ve ever been this close to. Six-five. Maybe taller. Built like he could break me in half without trying.
Men that big usually hurt you. My hand drifts toward the knife in my pocket just in case.
I don’t give him my name. I don’t give him anything. I keep my eyes down. That’s the safest way to survive.
But he doesn’t get angry. He doesn’t push.
Instead he gives me a name like it’s a gift he wrapped himself.
Stormy.
For the first time in years, I want to stay. But the past doesn’t let people like me go that easily."]

I put this one off for a while. Not because it didn't sound good, not because the targeted ads on social werne't on point. I wasn't the biggest of fans of the AI-looking video teasers (and I can't tell if the covers are AI or just crisply edited). But I'm weeeaaak for a broken-boy x bear-hero trope. 

This book was sooo good. It was dark and emotional. It tested your limits. It was a slower burn, but that was worth it, too. It was so soft and sweet and patient and forgiving. It built trust over a Category 5 Hurricane. It was found family and always showing up. It was showing love over and over again until you can say it, until you can believe it. It was a horrible past but a rainbow of a future.

Trigger Warnings: sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, physical abuse, psychological trauma and trauma responses, abandonment and neglect, homelessness, power imbalance and coercion, stalking and tracking behavior, violence, threats of violence, and more. 

#stormy #benji #levi #floridapanhandle #floridapanhandleseries #wrenwilds #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Grind (Gymbos #3)

KM Neuhold's latest: "Grind." It's the third novel in her new Gymbos series.

["Hockey star Diego Ferguson says he knows about the grind, but he’s about to learn that his new personal trainer, Callan, gives the word a whole new meaning.

Everyone in Chicago has been following the news about Diego's injury and the last season spent on the bench. It doesn’t hurt that he's got a major sexy brood going on in every picture I see of him these days.

The last place I expected him to show up was Sweat. But he's looking for a personal trainer to help him get fully back in shape before the season, and I'm just the guy for the job.

It figures that he's straight, but that doesn’t mean I can't enjoy the view while I help get his fine backside ready to get back out on the ice.

He's definitely as surly as his pictures, and twice as arrogant. Turns out he's also desperate for some bro time in between workouts, and I'm more than qualified to be the guy for that job too.

Maybe he's not as straight as he claims. Maybe he just needs a little fun to get his confidence back up after last season. Maybe I'll let myself indulge in a harmless fling with a cocky, bi-curious hockey player as a little treat. I work hard after all, and I deserve a little fun too.

We both know it can't last, but puck it, a summer fling is always a good time."]

UGH! All of the bro-ing, all of the challenges, all of the 80s movies, all of the grilling. All of the falling from friendship to more. This was fluffy and filled with all kinds of fun. It was flirty and adorable. It was honest and careful. So much found family, and re-finding your found family. It was beautiful. 

I loved how easy this book was. There was just enough angst to get you to continue reading (and for some serious character arcs), but there wasn't anything crazy stressful. Their friendship was easy, their relationship was easy. They communicated like a dream (they read each other like a dream). 

And here's to Slaps. You go, boo!

Trigger Warnings: sports related homophobia, minor internalized homophobia, and more. 

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

September'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 September's Book Shape Challenge! Virgo!!

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

Tracking Wolfe (Made Marian #4)

Here's Lucy Lennox's "Tracking Wolfe." It's the fourth 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).

["I’ve been in love with Trace Bishop half my life… 
And I’ve been hiding it just as long.

He’s my father’s best friend. 
The man who tracked me down and kept me safe my entire childhood…

The man who looked me in the eyes six years ago and said we were impossible.

So I poured my longing into love songs.
Songs no one knows are about Trace. 
I shared them with the world under a secret identity and won a Grammy.
Just another thing to hide. 

Then one stupid kiss changes everything.

Trace can’t want me back. 
It would cost him his friends, his family, and the life he’s built. 
And I’m tired of wanting the impossible.  
So I run… 

Straight into the crosshairs of someone who knows all my secrets and doesn’t care who gets hurt.

Trace does what he always does–he finds me. 
But this time, he’s not tracking his best friend’s son.
He’s tracking the man whose kiss he can’t forget. 
The man he’ll burn his life down to keep. 

Because if Trace and I want a chance at forever, hiding is no longer an option."]

Lucy is always SOO good at making the mutual pining so incredibly sweet but also so incredibly painful. The angst is somehow romantic and we're okay with that. It blows my mind each and every time. 

The utterly dedication after the MCs get through their angst? The utter devotion? The no-holds-bared out-loud obsession? The pure fluff? The perfect amount of spice? Allllll of the yyyeeesss.

I could live without the live-or-death situations in each book on this series, while in the middle of nature, with nature doing what nature does best. *sigh* I only mean that a little bit. It adds so much danger and suspense to the novel, but it also highlights how fucking competent the MCs are. It also further highlights that dedication and the protection (without smothering the other). 

Am I thrilled that we get a bonus story for Val and Brennan? Hell yes. Am I thrilled that we have to wait months and months for Gabe's HEA? Not so much (tis the life of a reader though).

Trigger Warnings: blackmail, drugging, manipulation, kidnapping, and more. 

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

Claiming His Fate Mate (Wolves of Crescent Springs #1)

"Claiming His Fate Mate" is the first book in Jay Castle's Wolves of Crescent Springs series, which is a Blood Bonded Mates spin-off.

["A reluctant alpha. A fearless human detective. And a mate bond neither man can escape.

Reed
Protecting Crescent Springs from the horrors that lurk in the shadows is a duty I never asked for and didn’t want. It leaves no room for error. And zero room for a mate. Especially not a human.
Harris is fragile. Breakable. He’s a risk I can’t afford. But the moment our eyes meet, the bond snaps into place. And the mate dreams begin. My wolf already knows the truth. Harris is mine.
But if I let him into my world, the monsters circling this town will tear him apart. I’m the Alpha. But I’m not sure I’m strong enough to keep him alive.

Harris
For months, I’ve been haunted. Every night, I’m pulled into dreams of a small mountain town where Reed waits for me in the dark. I wake up exhausted, obsessed, and terrified that I’m losing my mind.
Then I discover that these dreams mean Reed is my destiny. And he’s known it all along.
Reed says his world is too dangerous. But if the wolf thinks I’m going to run, he’s dead wrong. He might be the Alpha, but what he doesn’t know is that I won't stop until he's mine."]

When this first came out, I was heavy in a very confusing mood-reading mood (still sorta am), but I’m trying to get sooommme of my TBR backlog cleared. 

These two were a hot mess. They were a cute hot mess though. They struggled with a lot individually, but together, they were stronger. They helped heal each other's past traumas, they helped build each other's confidence, they helped dream each other's future. Even if there were...several things holding back their HEA. 

I canNOT wait for the next one! And silly me missed the ARC sign-up opportunity, so here's to waiting until the official debut date. 

Trigger Warnings: supernatural violence, on-page temporary death of a MC, depictions of SC depression and suicidal ideation, active-shooter flashback, temporary loss of bodily autonomy due to supernatural threat, grief and survivor's guilt, and more. 

#claiminghisfatedmate  #wolvesofcrescentsprings #wolvesofcrescentspringsseries #jaycastle #bloodbondedmates #bloodbondedmatesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Apricity (Mafia Babes #3)

Here's "Apricity" by Paulina Ian-Kane. This is the third novel her Mafia Babes series.

["My vendetta comes first.

My only goal in life is to decimate the Enzino Family.
Kidnapping the spoiled mafia prince before his wedding wasn’t what I had in mind. But needs must when the devil drives—I just didn’t know I’d be babysitting his minion.

Art Enzino.
Tiny, feisty, snarky, and completely insane. He walks around wearing skimpy skirts and delicate body chains while shaking his lace-clad butt. I might kill him sooner than planned; to hell with my boss’s schemes. After all, a punishment from him would be less agonizing than spending another moment dodging Art’s flirtatious advances.

I don’t know what his game is, but I won’t bite. I may be Bi, but I don’t share my bed with trash—even if he’s disguised himself as a sexy, elvish-looking twink who smells like sunshine and apples.

Art is still the enemy—son of the man who destroyed my family and brother of the monster who scarred my face and took everything from me.

I’ve waited years to savor my revenge, and now the time has finally come.
I’ll do whatever it takes to return peace to my parents, and no one will stop me. Especially not an overly promiscuous, brainless mafia prince who only cares about indulging and partying."]

I waited for ages and ages for this one, counting down the days until it came out. Then I couldn't read it. I'm not sure if it was the length (worth it) or the angst (worth it) or the triggers (worth it), but I put it off.

This book was sooo good (I still think I like Fly's the best). The hate-hate-hate that somehow, someway, when no one was looking (except Marco and Seb), it turned into hate-love. How many couples do their big grand feelings declarations by saying "I hate-love you"? These two. (While surrounded by blood and dead bodies? Everyone in this series (seriously)). Mafia romances, man.

I canNOT wait for Seb's story. The guy who's going to be Seb's HEA is going to be Fly + Art on crack, but somehow sweet. 

Trigger Warnings: on-page disfigured young man dead body, graphic violence, murder, torture with very gory details, torture of a MC, knife cutting/use, gun use, reference to past torture, obsessed brother/twisted relationship, descriptions of past and present abuse, description of injuries past and present, on-page assault of MC, attempted kidnapping, and more.

#petrichor #pragma #apricity #mafiababes #mafiababesseries #paulinaiankane #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks