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