Wish (Westbrook Elite #3)

I don't know how I went from saying I didn't want any more angst to the stormy seas of this series (pun intended--they're swimmers? get it? no? okay...). Also, I'm full-on aware that I skipped the first two books in the series. I'm not playing around right now, and my heart needed all of the gay. ANYway, this is Cambria Herbert's Westbrook Elite series. The third book (my first--m/m is superior (yes, I said it)) is titled "Wish."

["For me, choice might as well be a wish.

My parents died in a fiery car crash when I was barely sixteen.
I’m gay.
I’m also totally in love with my brother.
I didn’t choose any of that. In fact, I’ve tried like hell to deny it. But here I am in all my gay, brother-loving, no-parentals glory.
Technically, Max isn’t my brother. Not by blood anyway. That should make it less ick, right?
Considering he calls my parents mom and dad, probably not.
Also, did I mention he’s straight?
So that’s me: the freestyle swimmer doing my best to keep my sexuality on the down-low while simultaneously wishing my feelings for Max will evaporate into thin air.
Too bad he acts like he’s my keeper and my heart shakes every time his eyebrow ring glints in the sun or he levels his opaque stare on me with an intensity matched by nothing else.
My desire to keep my personal life personal drowns at the bottom of the pool when a fellow Elite lets everyone in on my business, which throws Max into macho protective mode all over again.
Enough is enough, though. I’m forcing myself to move on.
Maybe the best way to forget about my forbidden crush is to find a new one.
I have options. More than I realized.
Unfortunately, none of them are leather-wearing, tattoo-sporting, motorcycle-riding grumpholes.
So here I am wishing for Max while someone else wishes for me.
Someone who decides if they can’t have me…
No one will."]

The whole moon and stars metaphor? The whole hanging the moon thing?! D: Wes literally hung the moon (albeit a plastic, glow-in-the-dark one, but still). He. Hung. The. Moon. With Max's help. Shut up and let me cry (also, I'm most definitely stealing that idea, ngl).

These two did not know how to communicate. Not really. It was a back and forth, yelling and pining and jealousy fueled mess. They both wanted the same thing, but they were both ashamed of their feelings (as if the "step-brothers trope" isn't a thing). It was slow burn...until it was just burn.

Once they succumbed to their feelings and the reality of their love, they burned bright and loud and proud and out. It was glorious and beautiful and spicy as fuck (like...*sigh*...so fucking good). I...I can't. I love them. I want more of them. I want to see Win get his HEA (binging the next book--binging all of Cambria's books).

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, car accidents, hospital stays, domestic abuse, violence, assault, stalking, attempted sexual assault, and more

#wish #wtf #wet #wingspan #westbrookelite #westbrookeliteseries #cambriahebert #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pretty Wreck (Pretty Broken #3)

Yet another accidentally-stumbled-upon book/series. At least this one is by the same author as the last? This is J.R. Gray's Pretty Broken series. The third book is titled "Pretty Wreck."

["Alister Fox
The pretty boy. The loner. Old Hollywood.
I had all kinds of names as the least known member of the most famous band in the world.
Behind all the hype and masks, I'm just a Pretty Wreck.
No one knows the disaster I am, my secrets hidden behind style and a smile.
I've been running for as long as I can remember, but I can't get away from the gilded cage of fame.
I don't know how much longer I'll be able to keep it together.
I'm forced to go back on tour to play the summer concert circuit, and so is the guy I've avoided for two years.
Ten years older than me, he's the bassist for the hottest punk band.
He beds a different girl every night, but while the rest of the world slept, he'd crawl into my bed.
He's the only person who has ever felt safe, but he's straight, so I ran from him, too.
Now I have to face him and it's all unraveling.
I'm afraid I'll be the first to break, bringing our fame crashing down.

Kingsley Cole
My words have gotten me in trouble for as long as I can remember.
They got me suspended from eighth grade and banned from online forums, but they also made us famous beyond our wildest dreams.
Poetry and scorn.
My deepest thoughts, raw and exposed for the fans to consume.
They spawned rumors and ruin, and they’re about to do worse.
He hasn’t spoken to me in years.
But our secret keeps bleeding into my songs.
My next album is a ticking time bomb and when it hits, it will be the end of us.
What will be left but a pretty wreck?"]

Okay, in the last book, we say fuck to Dave. I'd like a loooooooong list of fucks and fuck off and fuck yous to Alexander. Honestly. I thought I hated him in the first book, or at least didn't understand him/his motives. No. Fuck that, fuck him. And, as I'm writing this, I'm only 20% into the book, so it better not get any worse (...*sigh* I know it will).
...it did. It got worse. A few more fucks to Alexander, please. Like, 99.9999% of the Trigger Warnings below are about/because of him. 

I  just…the opening scenes made me dislike Kingsley before we got to know him and his relationship with Lis, and part of me hates that it was there and included, because it spoiled his first impressions. His own POV very shortly after quickly changed my opinion, but it was a little jarring.

These two…they’re a lot. They’re a little toxic to each other, pushing away only to be upset when they’re alone. Though, love and heartache and childhood trauma will do that to you. Likely, without the help of fucking Alexander (fuck. him), they found their way to a happily ever after (well for now, the band is well and truly in some shit—because of fucking Alexander—and we won’t have final HEAs until the series ends (I just hope Alexander gets a big karma punch in the face).

Also, I need an angst break. My head and my heart hurt..And my anxiety. 

Trigger Warnings: major descriptions of depression, drug use, talk of suicide, assault, domestic abuse, domestic abuse isn't always physical, blackmail, lying, gaslighting, manipulation, and more

#prettyobsessed #prettytoxic #prettywreck #prettyfucked #prettyblack #prettybroken #prettybrokenseries #jrgray #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Pretty Toxic (Pretty Broken #2)

Yet another accidentally-stumbled-upon book/series. Don't know why I had such a long break in between the first book and this one (impulse control)...but here we are. This is J.R. Gray's Pretty Broken series. The second book is titled "Pretty Toxic."

["Saint Vincent
I might be the best-selling solo artist in the world, but my personal life is a disaster. For every number one album, there's a sea of my worsts, all documented in photos.
Bad break-ups. Destroyed hotel rooms. Fights. Drugs. And just as many rumors.
Every headline reaffirms the walls I’ve built around myself. Fame destroys everything it touches and I can’t let anyone close.
The only exception is my best friend— Lowe Wilder.
But I’ve fucked that one up too.
It’s all about him. Every song, every lyric. Every piece of music I’ve ever written. I planned to carry that secret to my grave. He’s straight.
Another break-up, another call to Lowe. I can’t bear to have another scandal splashed across the tabloids. At my absolute worst he’s here to pick up the pieces, and I ruined it all with a kiss.

Lowe Wilder
I’m the least famous member of the most famous band in the world. I’ve sat in the background while we toured the world and tore each other apart.
I wouldn’t have made it through any of this without Saint. He came into my life like a nuclear bomb. Unapologetic and with about as much destruction, but he’s kept me sane from across the world.
Nothing could come between us.
Until he kissed me and shattered my world."]

Okay, I just want to put it out there that the only toxic thing between Lowe and Saint is the possessive jealousy and the double-standard that the one is allowed to be possessive/jealous but the other isn't, and vice versa. Sure, toxic, but nothing like I assumed...nothing like Saint's ex(es) (Fuck Dave, honestly).

It took them a while to...you know...talk and figure their shit.
If they would have, there wouldn't have been months of pining and heartbreak and loneliness, and I. wouldn't. have. cried.
Then again, they're the same page in the same book, and they're stubborn as hell. They figured it out. I mean, Saint was in love the entire time (as the blurb says), and Lowe was too (he's just an idiot who didn't know it--from page one, any reader would know it).

Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, assault, alcohol/alcoholism, drugs, talk of suicide, and more

#prettyobsessed #prettytoxic #prettywreck #prettyfucked #prettyblack #prettybroken #prettybrokenseries #jrgray #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Confetti Hearts (Confetti Hitched #1)

We first met Joe and his...opinions on marriage in Lily Morton's "Vow Maker" (the forth installment in her Mixed Messaged series). Now he has his very own book! "Confetti Hearts!!!" It's the first novel in her new Confetti Hitched series.

["Joe Bagshaw doesn’t believe in love or marriage anymore, which is rather a hindrance for a wedding planner.

His own marriage was a whirlwind affair that ended before the ink could dry on the wedding certificate. Nevertheless, even with his divorce pending, he’s getting by. Or at least he was until he finds himself snowed in at a remote Scottish hotel with the wedding party from hell, a terrible ABBA tribute band, and his soon-to-be ex-husband.

Lachlan has missed Joe from the second his husband walked away. He wants Joe back and is prepared to do anything to get him. Being snowed in together seems to offer the chance Lachlan needs, but does he have what it takes to get Joe to trust in love and their marriage again?"]

I had reservations about starting this book because some of the reviews on GoodReads about Lachlan. Yes, he wasn't there; yes, he wasn't putting his all in; yes, he made mistakes. But. So. Did. Joe. Joe didn't talk about his reservations or his insecurities or how Lachlan could be better for Joe (or how he could be better for Lachlan). Had to get that out there.

ANYway! This book was fucking fabulous. As was Joe. Lachlan? He was a broody, angsty beef of a man who had nothing more to loose. Joe? He had a lot to loose...than again, he had so much more to gain. 

They were perfect for each other; they just...did a few things backwards.

I can't WAIT for the rest of the series. These men need all of their happily ever afters. 

#confettihearts #confettihitched #lilymorton #mixedmessages #mixedmessagesseries #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Wild Goose Chase (Palm Island #4)

K.M. Neuhold will forever astonish me with her talents, her characters, her settings, her love of love. The fourth installment in the Palm Island series (also know as The Off Season seres), "Wild Goose Chase," was everything I wanted and more.

["When opposites attract, falling in love can feel like a Wild Goose Chase.
I know it’s wrong to check out my best friend’s twin brother. It’s definitely against the bro code to shove my tongue down his throat. Screw it, one little passionate, sun soaked, all-consuming fling won’t hurt anything. Will it?
Pete doesn’t think he’s fit for island life, but he doesn’t know Palm Island like I do. He might think it’s all drinking on the beach and bed hopping, but maybe if I can show him the beauty and freedom underneath it all, he might decide to stay.
He came for a visit, to escape a bad breakup and a life that’s been closing in on him, but the island doesn’t lure anyone in on accident.
He might be all wrong for me; too careful, too neat, too structured. But I can’t seem to keep my hands off of him. Maybe I could use a little more structure in my life, and maybe Pete could use some chaos.
Will this fling wash away with the rising tide of spring or could this turn into the real thing?"]

There was just so much fluff and love and steam and spice and secrets and honestly and trust and freedom. They were just so sweet, and it was so easy (not to be confused with the character Easy--who's book is next (finally!!)). It was just... perfect. More than perfect.

Now I just need the rest of the books...the little preview she does at the end of each book for the next one? Yeah, I'm dead. Also, how dare you make it look like the series is almost over only to introduce more hot ass characters to us!?! Then again, I'll be okay if this series never ends..

#therealdeal #perfectten #takenbystorm #dirtytrick #wildgoosechase #theoffseason #theoffseasonseries #palmisland #palmislandbooks #kmneuhold #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Smolder (Drake Security book 2)

Mika Nix is the combined paranormal alter egos of K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe (their words--they also added bestselling, just saying). Mika's debut series is the Drake Security books, and it's second book is titled "Smolder."

["I was hired to protect him, but will our smoldering attraction ignite into love?
When my hot headed brother found his fated mate, a deep, aching desire opened up inside of me for my own. Everyone knows dragons are covetous, jealous… possessive. I am all of these things, but never more so than when I set my eyes on Dempsey for the first time.

Beautiful. Awkward. Sweet. Shy. Perfect. My dragon wants to wrap himself around him the moment he bumps into me outside of his antique shop. Dempsey, however, is not as keen on that idea as my inner beast is.
He hired Drake Security for protection, and he needs it even more than he realized. Unfortunately, we specialize in brute strength and burning sh*t to the ground, and the problem Dempsey has is way out of our league.
Is he my fated mate or am I just so desperate for one that I’m falling for him too fast? Either way, I’ll move heaven and hell to protect him, even if the forces that are after him are unlike anything I’ve dealt with before.
I’ve spent thousands of years hoarding books and storing their words close to my heart. Will the love stories that live inside my soul be enough to woo him? Is it too much to hope that fate has chosen him for me?"]

I liked the first book a lot better than this one, but this one was still so fun and sweet and spicy. There was a secret, magical danger lurking around, and Dempsey wasn't sold on his attraction to Hemingway (or Hemingway's attraction to him). But after some danger and dragons almost-hulking-out and romance in London, they slowly started to figure a few things out. 

I can't wait for the rest of the series. I need all of these brothers to find love.

#hothead #smolder #drakesecurity #drakesecurityseries #mikanix #kmneuhold #miamonroe #paranormal #books #queerbooks #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Hot Head (Drake Security book 1)

Mika Nix is the combined paranormal alter egos of K.M. Neuhold and Mia Monroe (their words--they also added bestselling, just saying). Mika's debut series is the Drake Security books, and it's first book is titled "Hot Head."

["Protecting him is my job. Finding out he’s my fated mate wasn’t part of the assignment.
Lake Forrester III entered my life like a wrecking ball. Drake Security, my firm with my brothers, was hired to protect him from a stalker ex, but what Lake doesn’t know is that he’s not dealing with your average unhinged human. The unhinged wolf shifter he unknowingly dated will stop at nothing to get Lake in his clutches.
Just another day in the life of a dragon body guard.
The one thing I never expected was for Lake to be my fated mate. To say my protective instincts are on overdrive is an understatement. I’ll move mountains to keep him safe and delight in tearing the wolf apart with my bare hands if he gets too close to my mate. If it unleashes all out war with the wolf packs, so be it. I never claimed to be the level headed one.
In the meantime, my only focus is Lake and his safety. If anyone hurts him, it’ll be the last thing they do. My dragon will make sure of it."]

This book was sooo goooooood!! D: I don’t even know where to start. The characters (Lake and Nico, but also Nico’s brothers), the bond (instant but confusing and thrilling), the dragon (which was basically its own character), the hoard room (because dragons), the fluff (and the steam!)!!! I want more. Now. I want more from Mika and more from Lake (he’s fucking iconic). I just want. 

So. Good. So good.

#hothead #smolder #drakesecurity #drakesecurityseries #mikanix #kmneuhold #miamonroe #paranormal #books #queerbooks #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks