REVIEWS - 2021 Book Recommendations Summary

 

Wow! What a year!! 

Whilst 2021 sucked donkey balls in almost every other way, my reading material was fantastic. Who says you can't find a silver lining, eh? 

I only review books on this blog that I would genuinely recommend to a friend, so you know these are all gems.

So, let's group these by genre and give you links to my reviews and therefore the books:

Fantasy/Paranormal

Hell's Teeth by James Fahy (GM Fantasy)

Buried Magic by TJ Green (Witchy)

Realm by Jessica Cantwell (YA)

The Alpha Awakens by Anna Fury (Dystopian Shifter)

Immortal Matchmakers Inc by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (Deity Romance)

Rise of the Sparrows by Sarina Langer (YA)

Hades by Carly Spade (Greek God)

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon (Gothic Monster Porn)

Variant Lost by Kaydence Snow (NA)

Christmas

Spine of Winter by Angeline Trevena (Dystopian)

Toot Hansell Christmas by Kim Watt (Dragon Mayhem)

Christmas at Snowdrop Cottage by Helen J Rolfe (Quaint)

The Naughty List by Ellie Mae MacGregor (Saucy Santa)

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews (m/m Lumberjack Mall Santa)

Christmas on Dragonback Mountain by Kimberly Forrest (Dragon Shifter)

Lumber Snack by Mae Harden (m/f Lumberjack)

Enthralled by AH Lee (m/m Yule Magick)

M/M (male/male) Romance

Watch And Learn by KC Wells (Erotic)

Incubus Seduction by Emma Jaye (Parnormal Erotica)

All The Cuts And Scars We Hide by Garry Michael (Healing)

Red, White And Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion (Royal)

Him by Sarina Bowen (Sweet Sports)

Ghost Hunted by BL Blackwell (Spooky)

Polyamorous

Looking For It by Allyson Lindt (m/m/f Friends to Lovers)

Inevitable by Briar Prescott (m/m/m incl. ACE)

Mystery

Crime Scenes, Cats and Killer Heels by Violet Schofield (Kitty)

Death at The Frost Fair by Karen Charlton (Regency)

The Dragon Sleeps by Ellen Read (Flapper)

Trafficked by Wendy Hewlett (Sex Crimes)

Random

The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert (Royal)

This Changes Everything by Helen McGinn (Wistful)

Diary of a Shy Backpacker by Bruce Spydar

Morning Glory Milk Farm by CM Nacosta (err...Minotaur Romance?)

Prizes

If you push me, I'd say Him by Sarina Bowen was my favourite read of this year. I just think about it and this book gives me 'the feels'. Just so sweet!! Enough angst to keep it exciting. And masses of aww! I even loved the sequel too.

Morning Glory Milking Farm wins my award for weirdest read of the year! I'm almost lost for words still. You just gotta read it to understand why. I think every reader has been surprised by the sweet romance that lies within this erotic story.

So, there we have it, all my book recs of 2021. I really hope you find something to read from this list, and you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - ENTHRALLED - riveting!

Enthralled by AH Lee

Date read: 23rd December 2021

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Yule Magickal Medievalish Romance Short m/m

Buy link: Amazon 

Oh, this book is a delight. I've not read the rest of the series, but I will now!

A knacker, merek, is friends with a necromancer (who's a very nice chap). 

Merek is tower-sitting for said necromancer on the eve of Winter Solstice. And plenty of things go bump in the night!!

Mysterious, magickal, angsty goodness - with all the feels!

And I love his dog, Pumpernickel. A fab sidekick for the poor, lonely Merek.

There's a distinct medieval vibe to this charming tale, which is totally my thing.

Something different for a quick, Christmassy read. Just lovely!

4.5* from me.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - LUMBER SNACK - delicious!

Lumber Snack by Mae Harden

Date read: 20th December 2021

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Christmas Romance Short m/f

Buy link: Amazon 

Part of The 12 Days of Kissmas - an assortment of single short stories by varying authors. 

This is not an anthology - each story stands as it's own book, which is fab - you can pick & choose which ones to buy. 

I loved this book from the start - Millie is maid of honour to a bridezilla. 

And she ends up as a partridge in a pear tree; I kid you not! It's hilarious.

This may be a short story, but it's packed with angst and slow-burn. Oh, and a gorgeous dog. And the obligatory snow for a Christmas romance. 

Fun, witty, sexy and sweet - like a candy cane ;) 

If you want a romantic Christmas short, look no further!

4.5* from me. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - CHRISTMAS ON DRAGONBACK MOUNTAIN - scorching!

Christmas on Dragonback Mountain by Kimberly Forrest

Date read: 12th December 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Christmas Shifter Short m/f

Buy link: Amazon 

This is a lovely short story. But you know what? It'd be even better as a novel.

This has angst and heat, and is good. But I'd love to explore that angst more, to have more effort to overcome challenges and to see what else happens during the pregnancy. 

I like how it starts after a break up. And Kayla is fabulously feisty. 

But as a short story with a dragon shifter, it's fun anyway. 

And there's a couple of saucy scenes to set Christmas sizzling.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - SANTA DADDY - He's a lumberjack and that's OK

Santa Daddy by Keira Andrews

Date read: 7th December 2021

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Saucy Christmas Short m/m

Buy link: Amazon 

It's that time of year, so I'm reading some Christmas books. And I challenged myself with this one. I don't usually gel with daddy books, but this one is really gentle. 

Enter Nick, a sexy mall Santa who's really a lumberjack - ho ho hoooo! But he's also a widower - aww. 

And Hunter, an awkward guy who's been to uni and worked some unsatisfactory jobs. 

There's an age gap, which comes as no surprise given the title. 

Hunter helps Nick creep back out of his hermit shell. And Nick helps Hunter gain confidence, with an amazing scene reflecting this near the end. I love this dynamic.

This relationship gave me all the feels; just super sweet and supportive. 

I maybe wanted another adult scene near the end to continue the hot hot hot action. I wanted to explore that power play in their bed a little bit more. 

But, really lovely characters. Fun plot. Lots of snow. And a Santa I won't soon forget. 

Definitely on my 'recommend to a friend' nice list!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - THE NAUGHTY LIST - Naughty but oh so nice!

The Naughty List by Ellie Mae MacGregor

Date read: 5th December 2021

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Saucy Christmas Short

Buy link: Amazon 

Ho ho hoooh so naughty! 

This is a super quick read, and is effectively one long saucy scene.

Nikolai is the new Santa. He appears in Ellie's room and soon realises she's very very naughty! And this yummy Santa is so ready to dish out some punishment!! 

That's pretty much all you need to know. 

Want a short story with magical shenanigans? This is the book you're looking for!

4.5* 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - INEVITABLE - is ace

Inevitable by Briar Prescott

Date read: 10th November 2021

My rating: 3.5*
Genre I reckon: M/M/M Polyamorous Romance incl. ace

Buy link: Amazon 

I think I wanted to like this book more. It was refreshing to see an ace (asexual) representation. And it's a really sweet love story. 

Each of the male love interests has issues, and all are explored. But Bas and Drew, although they have big blowout arguments, never really discuss their long history and release that tension; I longed for that apology and makeup. 

Ezra is super cocky when we first meet him, but we soon discover that's just a front. But what's behind it is maybe a little too fragile? I think I wanted to see him retain some of that cockiness. 

With one of the three being ace, it seems to subdue the passion of the other two. Their fiery first encounter isn't really regained. And maybe that's OK.

So, two young male professionals plus a college guy - it's a good mix. And I love the way they fit together. 

There's definitely a realism which is really good to read. 

It's well-written. I'm still recommending this book. But more as a 3.5* than a full 4*. 

If you're looking for a M/M/M Polyamorous Romance incl. ace book, this is definitely worth a read.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - LOOKING FOR IT - Look no further for your next read!

Looking for it (Three Player Co-Op) by Allyson Lindt

Date read: 2nd November 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: M/M/F Polyamrous Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Well, this cover is just a one-click one on its own! 

Polyamorous romance is fairly new to me. I've read a lot of m/m recently, but this one is m/m/f and even throws in a friends to lovers trope along with it. 

It's a fairly simple romance story with complicated logistics, at least unless costume designer, Sadie, can get over her dream of the perfect wedding dress and a 2.4 children life. 

It was a short read, and actually, I would've loved a bit longer to allow the emotions to develop. The two guys could've demonstrated their love and not just lust.

But I'm really not complaining. 

There's computer gamer action and some cosplay - all good fun. 

This is a short, fun read if you're just dipping your toe into this genre. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - GHOST HUNTED - Grippingly haunting

Ghost Hunted by BL Maxwell

Date read: 31st October 2021

My rating: 3.5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Paranormal Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Aww, poor Wade - he's not really into ghost hunting (something he tells the reader over and over!). But nonetheless, he follows his best friend, Jason (who he has a crush on), into The Vineyard House for a weekend of investigation. 

What they discover is more than they could ever have imagined. 

There's a really sweet love story AND a spooky ghost tale here. 

I did knock off a little bit of star because of the repetition, I have to say.

But, that aside, I really enjoyed reading this book. 

The characters are well-developed and I really did feel quite scared in places. It was a real page-turner. 

This has been on my TBR for ages - oops! But I'm so glad it finally made its way to the top so I could read it.

If you like those paranormal shows on TV (as I do) with a bit of romance too then this is the book for you.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - US - top marks!

Us by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Date read: 15th October 2021

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: MM Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

So, I was missing Wes & Jamie - OMG, these guys!!!

If you've not read book 1 (Him) yet, do so before reading this review. 

Having gotten over the hurdles to enter their gorgeous relationship, including Jamie facing he's bisexual... this wonderful pair are living together in Toronto. Only, they're having to keep that quiet as Wes tries to reach the end of his rookie year. But life has a way of throwing curve...pucks! 

This story is even more delicious than the first. I need more stars!! 

Seriously. So well written. Just enough angst to make it a real page-turner, but with so much loving sweetness between these sturdy guys that it'd melt the ice they skate on. 

There's a host of characters, and they're all fab.

Just awesomeness! 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - VARIANT LOST - various thoughts...

Variant Lost by Kaydence Snow

Date read: 13th October 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: NA Reverse Harem

Buy link: Amazon 

Hmm... so, I read this as a polyamorous book. It's more reverse harem; one girl with multiple males. 

But, given the age of the characters, it's more New Adult as a category but it's written with a very YA feel. There are several scenes which build up steam but the old interrupt routine kicks in, which given my expectations, is disappointing. 

But, it does have plenty of excitement. Eve, who's been on the run since before she can remember - pretty much isolated with her mum as they moved from place to place. But then disaster strikes. 

Talk about finding yourself!

Poor Eve is put through the wringer as she discovers more and more about who she truly is. 

I love most of the characters. Oddly, Eve isn't really one of those; I just didn't warm to her. Given her upbringing, her reactions are understandable. But, meh, I don't know, she's just a bit of a contradiction. 

I did really enjoy Gabe's character - so reserved but bubbling beneath the façade.

And Ethan who's loveable underneath his playboy exterior. 

And Josh - just auugh; gorgeous! 

Sorry, but Alec is just an ahole! I love a bad boy, but he's not quietly brooding. Alec is just a hurtful, spiteful git! There is no excuse for his actions. 

And there's lots of things unanswered, but then it's the first of a series, so maybe those answers will come later.

Don't get me wrong, it was a thrilling story with plenty of action. I actually enjoyed it, hence my rating. I dug the X-Men vibe with a difference. And I'd recommend to a friend. I just think it could've been...more.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - A LADY OF ROOKSGRAVE MANOR - monstrously smutty

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

Date read: 4th October 2021

My rating: 4.5*
Genre I reckon: Monster Gothic Erotica

Buy link: Amazon 

Spooky season is upon us, so a novel with sexy monsters seemed a good way to kick it off. 

Every so often, a girl has to read a good dirty Gerty book. And this is such a one. 

Classic reverse harem in a very unconventional setting!

Esther, according to society, is a wanton girl. 

Turns out, there's a place where that is not only not a problem but is outright encouraged. 

Rooksgrave Manor is a very unusual 'house of ill repute'. 

I want to say the setting is Victorian England, but we're not really told specifically. 

I love how Esther is "just a girl who likes f'ing" and grows into her nature. 

A host of gentlemen assist with this development. But they're not quite human. 

Varying in appearance a great deal, our girl isn't fussy.

But they all adore her. And maybe each other? 

- not gonna lie; I probably wouldn't kick them outta bed! ;) 

But, as Esther blossoms and blooms, she also influences her gentlemen in turn. Their relationship/s become symbiotic. 

There's scene after scene of "depravity". Awesome!! 

But some really sweet love threads too. 

And then there's a baddie! Oh, the danger sets the thermometer sky-rocketing even further. 

And there's more, apparently. This book is the start of a series. Yay! 

4.5* - if you like PNR and erotica then give this a read.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - HADES - hot as hell?

Hades by Carly Spade

Date read: 1st October 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Greek Godly Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Well, what can I say? I really like that this Hades matches my own idea of him just doing a job and not really relishing it. After all, evil doesn't punish evil, right? 

And this Hades is beaten down and suffering. Understandable when his long-term wife's left him and everyone has always told him how worthless he is. 

But of course, as any good romance would have, there is a heroine who can save our tortured hero. And she's her own kind of hot mess. 

The steam takes a long time to build, but one is rewarded with a fiery scene worthy of the wait. 

I'll be honest; I wasn't expecting so much sweet and tame given the God of the Underworld is involved. But it was a nice surprise. Just not quite as hot as hell.

I would have liked more of the Underworld. More danger. More adjusting. 

The Dirty Dancing and 80s music bits were fun. 

Hades as Sawyer from Lost was quite pleasing too (*innocently whistles*).

A fun story that Greek mythology retelling lovers will enjoy. 

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - HIM - sizzles on ice!

Him by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Date read: 25th September 2021

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: MM Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Hold onto your pucks, I'm breaking out my 5 star!!! 

Yes, this book is that good. 

OMG, it has all the feels!!

So, these two very gorgeous ice hockey jocks have been besties at sports camp for 6 years in a row. Then...something happens and they stop speaking. 

And a lot of soul searching takes place before they are flung into one another's presence. Awkward!

What I love:

The witty banter

The realistic questioning

The sincerity of caring

The deep yearnings

The serious questions

The steamy bits 

There really isn't anything that I didn't like except the book ended. But even then, book 2 is out and on my Kindle queue! 

There's fun and frolics galore balanced with angst yet underlying sweetness. Just auugh!

Seriously, these two guys...they're just everything! 

Really well written.

If you enjoy m/m romance, you HAVE to read this. Like now.

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE - blew me away

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion

Date read: 19th September 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: Very Sweet MM Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

Let me start by emitting a squee! I am in my forties, and cannot remember the last time I clutched a book to my bosom in sheer girlish glee. This book is THAT romantic!

I wanted to hate it. For a start, I'm British and partially being about a fake version of our monarchy - well, that never goes well. And trust me, although the royals are fictitious, the titles are real but misused. And royalty do have a surname - it is not Wales! And there's several inaccuracies along the same lines. 

BUT I was able to see past this - it is FICTION! 

And Red, White & Royal Blue has been massively hyped - I generally avoid overly talked about books as it's nigh impossible to live up to such heady praise.

I was able to look past the very weird 3rd person present tense. Present perfect tense is often used, which is jarring. And even present perfect continuous - very rare! But the book is long, so I got used to it. 

What we DO get with this is a very sweet forbidden romance.

~ The 2nd in line to the British throne (Prince Henry) is carrying emotional baggage. And obviously the very stuffy Crown denies his right to be openly gay.

~ The first son of the US (Alex) - well, he doesn't even know his own sexuality. And with his mum running for re-election, the timing of self-discovery is bad. 

There is so much angst, it feels like the boys are more like teenagers. But they're in their 20s. 

Will he? Will he?

What we are treated to, is the sparring and banter as the frenemies are forced together. 

And then we get the very risky, stolen moments between them. 

I loved the sexy build-up. When we finally get to foreplay, the action builds....but there's no crescendo. The physical act fades to black and sleep. Don't go shy on me in the moment!!

The most wonderful part of this book, for me, is the email communication - they pour their hearts out and quote famous historical love letters. The pair show their true selves, and it's precious. 

The 'getting to know you' is delicious. 

The secret touches are tantalising.

The clandestine sexual encounters; electric.

The 'trying to understand' is captivating.

The need to know how it'll play out is addictive. 

Yeah, this is a proper page-turner despite it's foibles. And adorable love story which hooks you in. 

I didn't want to love it, but I did!

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - ALL THE CUTS AND SCARS WE HIDE - tots emosh!

All The Cuts And Scars We Hide by Garry Michael

Date read: 16th September 2021

My rating: 4*
Genre I reckon: MM Military Romance

Buy link: Amazon 

This book is an amazingly sweet romance. One former marine with PTSD and a guy from a Hawaii with troubles of his own. 

The pair have a cute meet, and slowly build a relationship which ebbs and flows like a tide as they each try to heal from their past. 

I love all the characters - well-rounded and developed. The MCs, Wyatt and Kai, are suitably fit. Really tough topics sensitively handled (but there are detailed warzone scenes which contain a trigger warning).

The way the guys try to impress one another is simply charming. 

The way they try to support each other is even more wonderful though. 

It was fab to read a MM book that was more about the relationship than the hot under cover action. There are just enough detailed bedroom antics to satisfy that side too though.

If you're looking for a MM romance that's beyond just bed action, then this is the book for you!

Always in love and light,

TL