REVIEW - YOU AND ME - and all the feels

You and Me by Tal Bauer

Date read: 24th February 2025

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Romance with sports

Buy link: Amazon  

This is one of those books which is full of raw emotion in the most marvellous way. 

Luke is straight and a widower. At the start of this tale he's been struggling to come to terms with the loss of his wife. He's lost in darkness. Separately, so is his son, Emmett. They barely see each other, let alone talk. Their pain is visceral. 

Finally, Luke realises he has to try to make a change, to reach out to his son. But he has no idea how. Then a letter arrives from the booster club for his son's high school American football team. 

American football is a backdrop for this story of healing and recovery. It contains its own symbolism as the tale progresses. As is the artistic way Luke views the world, as his life gradually gets painted with colour. btw I'm not a sports fan but it totally works in this book.

Landon is a "super dad" and everything Luke wants to be. His son hugs him, gives him smiles, speaks to him... Happily, Landon is very generous. And, as the two sons are best friends, Landon helps show Luke the way. 

My heart broke a thousand times at every tentative baby step these guys took. There is so much fear - neither Luke nor his son can survive another loss. 

The love story is also gradual. And contains its own fears, not about the bi-awakening itself but all which surrounds this beautiful relationship and the impact it may have.

The characters leap off the page with a whole range of emotions and behaviours. By enduring the pain you're rewarded with endearing joy.

The writing is incredible. Descriptive and real, light and shade. 

What we're left with is a story of bravery, courage and fighting for a HEA. It's like one's drowning but coming up for life-affirming air. 

A heart-wrenching, sweet and little bit steamy book of gorgeousness. 

TWs: Loss/grief, drug misuse/addiction

Always in love and light,

TL

REVIEW - PRINCE CHARMED - Ridicule is nothing to be scared of!

Prince Charmed by Duckie Mack

Date read: 19th October 2024

My rating: 5*
Genre I reckon: M/M Fairytale Romance 

Buy link: Amazon 

(yeah, I totally quoted the Prince Charming song in this blog post title - Adam and the Ants forever!)

A new book by one of my favourite authors which includes magick and a prince? I couldn't one-click fast enough!! 

So, Mal and Flor were separated when they were young, having grown up together in the royal palace. And they've been pining ever since. 

Poor Flor had to learn about his magick all on his own, but has created a successful business thank you very much (and looks like a totally hot wizard whilst doing so). 

I don't want to say too much. But the little magickal oopsies the prince suffer are cute and funny. 

But can Flor's kiss transform him back into his handsome prince? 

I only wish it was a bit longer. I want more! 

Always in love and light,

TL

BOOK NEWS - LOVE BITES MORE

 

Somehow, I resisted the demands of my readers for more Love Bites books for six years! I can only apologise.

But, it gives me tremendous pleasure to announce that there is finally a stand-alone follow-up to The Darkness and Light Duology. And unlike its predecessor which was m/f, this one is m/m/m!

You may remember Elan and Arwyn from Love Bites and Love Bites Harder; they are Pryderi's best friends. Only, now he's happily mated, those two are left with an imbalance. An unsettling distance wedges itself between the three.

Elan and Arwyn had sworn an oath as younglings never to get together in the Den of Sin, because reasons! Basically, they don't want to destroy everything. 

But then an exotic male enters their clan with secrets of his own. And things get even rockier still. 

Could an all male triad be on the tarot cards in this fantasy tale of love and adventure?

Read Love Bites More to find out!

Also, if you are one of the first 50 readers to pre-order Love Bites More, you can claim your free gift here! I've had chibi stickers specially designed and created bookmarks. But once they're gone they're gone, so get in there quick!

On pre-order now.

Launch date: 20th July 2023

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Readers are the true magick for authors.

Always in love and light,

TL