On Point by Annabeth Albert (Out of Uniform #3)

*****

Never fall for your best friend…

Pushing thirty, with his reenlistment looming, decorated navy sniper Maddox Horvat is taking a long look at what he really wants in life. And what he wants is Ben Tovey. It isn’t smart, falling for his best friend and fellow SEAL, but ten years with Ben has forged a bond so intimate Maddox can’t ignore it. He needs Ben by his side forever—heart and soul.

Ben admits he likes what he’s seen—his friend’s full lower lip and the perfect muscles of his ass have proved distracting more than once. But Ben's still reeling from a relationship gone to hell, and he's not about to screw up his friendship with Maddox, too.

Until their next mission throws Ben and Maddox closer together than ever before, with only each other to depend on.

Now, in the lonely, desperate hours awaiting rescue, the real challenge—confronting themselves, their future and their desires—begins. Man to man, friend to friend, lover to lover.

Review:

Ben and Maddox stood out in At Attention.   Best friends and roommates?  Also, both openly gay SEALs.  Yep, we all wanted a story shipping these two.  Fortunately, we got it!

The first chapter sets us up with the knowledge that SOMETHING happened to strain Ben and Maddox’s relationship.   When they end up on a mission that goes terribly wrong, we slowly get their back story and find out what caused their current drama.   But the story doesn’t start and end on their mission.  SPOILER ALERT…..they do make it home.  They both come home with the knowledge of how much the other means to them and what they are and are not willing to do to hold onto each other.  Unfortunately, those things don’t necessarily match up.  Ben is excited to re-up with the Navy and continue to work and live with his BFF.  But Maddox is seriously considering retiring and doing something new.  Yeah, their plans aren’t matching up and Ben has a real issue with it.  What he doesn’t understand is that Maddox has a real issue with unrequited love he’s experiencing right now. 

Friends-to-lovers stories are my absolute favorites.  I know I’ve mentioned it before but that love started with Emma by Jane Austen and it hasn’t waned in the 20 some years since I first read it.  That existing bond that grows even bigger and grander than anything they could have ever imagined?  The fear of losing what they have if they ask for more?  Yeah, total catnip for me.  And the cherry on top of this delicious sundae of a story is that Maddox is a……..total beta hero!  Yep, a SEAL that isn’t an alpha character.  I loved Ben but Maddox made my heart melt.

This story is full of push and pull and the angst that goes with it.  But never so much that I needed to take a break.  On the contrary, I couldn’t put the damn thing down.   I haven’t given five stars in a REALLY long time but this book earned it.  I was instantly immersed in Ben and Maddox’s story.  To the extent that the book hangover I had after this one was epic.   

Do yourself a favor and read this, and while you are at it, read the first two in the series, Off Base and At Attention.

Nat

At Attention by Annabeth Albert (Out of Uniform #2)

****

Lieutenant Apollo Floros can ace tactical training missions, but being a single dad to his twin daughters is more than he can handle. He needs live-in help, and he's lucky a friend's younger brother needs a place to stay. He's surprised to see Dylan all grown up with a college degree…and a college athlete's body. Apollo's widowed heart may still be broken, but Dylan has his blood heating up. 

It's been eight years since the teenage Dylan followed Apollo around like a lovesick puppy, and it's time he showed Lieutenant Hard-to-Please that he's all man now—an adult who's fully capable of choosing responsibility over lust. He can handle Apollo's muscular sex appeal, but Apollo the caring father? Dylan can't afford to fall for that guy. He's determined to hold out for someone who's able to love him back, not someone who only sees him as a kid brother. 

Apollo is shocked by the intensity of his attraction to Dylan. Maybe some no-strings summer fun will bring this former SEAL back to life. But the combination of scorching desire and warm affection is more than he'd expected, and the emotion between them scares him senseless. No fling lasts forever, and Apollo will need to decide what's more important—his past or his future—if he wants to keep Dylan in his life.

Review:

At the end of Off Base, I was crossing all my fingers and toes that Lt. Apollo Floros was going to get his own book.  I’m a sucker for the widower trope.  Give said widower kids and double swoon.  Fortunately, Annabeth Albert knows what the fans want and she didn’t hesitate to deliver. 

At Attention starts out with Apollo getting caught checking out a young guy’s ass at the grocery store.  What he doesn’t find out until later that day is that the young guy from the grocery store is his best friend’s little brother, Dylan.  Yep, Dylan’s not so little anymore.  And Dylan is finally old enough to hit on the guy he’s crushed on since he was a teenager.  Yep, not only do we have the widower trope, we also have the age-gap and best friend’s younger brother tropes.  Seriously.  It’s like this book was written just for me.

As you can guess, there is some angst in this story.  Apollo’s main hang up about dating anyone, let alone Dylan, is that he’s still grieving the loss of his husband.  Not that he will admit that to himself or anyone else.   On top of his grief, he has more than a bit of OCD (I’m envious of his orderly kitchen and weekly meal plans) and an old injury is making him a bit cranky.  And then all of a sudden he has a super hot young guy living in his house and taking care of him and the kids.  A hot guy that he considers completely off limits.  He just cannot deal.

I’m surprised that I was so attracted to Apollo simply because Dylan is basically the beta hero of my dreams.   This attests to Albert’s ability to write amazing characters.  The fact that an Alpha former SEAL can compete with my adoration of the steady beta hero is pretty amazing.  Don’t get me wrong.  I loved Dylan too.  His willingness/desire to be part of Apollo’s ready-made family and to insert himself in ways that Apollo didn’t know he needed was heartwarming.  And his insistence on doing what was right for HIM was inspiring.   

So yeah, another hit from Annabeth Albert.  I’m fairly confident there isn’t anything she can’t write.  If you love your Alpha heroes and your military romance then this book is definitely for you.  And if you like your “forever boys” then At Attention is for you too. 

Nat

Danced Close (Portland Heat #6) by Annabeth Albert

* * * *

Portland, Oregon, is one of the hottest cities in America. Just ask all the hard-working men sweating it up behind the counters of the restaurants, boutiques, and cafés all over town ... 

Newly clean and sober, Todd's taken a shine to his job at Portland's most talked about bakery. It's not just the delicious desserts they sell, but the tasty treats who keep walking through the door. That certainly includes Kendall Rose, a wedding planner with eyes the color of brown sugar and skin to match. Todd doesn't try to hide his attraction to Kendall's elegant confidence and unique style, even as he worries about exposing the secrets of his past. 

For Kendall, the attention is just part of the anything-goes Portland he's grown to love. But he's still looking for that special someone who will embrace all of him—including his gender fluidity. So he takes a chance and asks Todd to be his partner in a dance class leading to a fundraiser. When the music starts and he takes Todd in his arms, Kendall is shocked at how good it feels. Turns out taking the lead for once isn't a mistake. In fact, it might be time to take the next step and follow his heart ... 

Review:

I’ll be honest.  There isn’t an Annabeth Albert book that I haven’t loved.  So I’m probably not the most impartial reviewer of her books.  But that’s okay because her amazing writing and characters sells itself.   And Danced Close is no exception.

One of the things that draws me to Albert’s books is the diversity of her characters.   Danced Close went a step further by not only introducing a new diverse character but by also shining light on stereotypes/assumptions and how harmful they can be.  

Kendall has fully and unapologetically embraced his “feminine” side.  But just because he is comfortable in his own skin doesn’t mean the rest of the world is comfortable with his fluidity.  He’s used to some people staring at him as if he’s there to entertain them so when Todd keeps stealing glances Kendall immediately chalks it off to yet another person who is curious, maybe judgmental but not at all interested.   When Todd overcomes his shyness enough to pull Kendall aside it’s not about curiosity or judgment at all.   Kendall finds Todd’s quiet and earnest question about preferred pronouns almost charming and decides to open up just a little bit.

Todd has always been in awe of the wedding planner that often brings his clients to the bakery.  Kendall is way out of his league.  Especially with all the baggage Todd is carrying around. But when Kendall asks him to be his partner for a swing dance classes, Todd reluctantly agrees.  Dancing means facing some of his past.  And dancing with Kendall means being in close proximity with something he can’t have.

Both of these men have insecurities and battles that they deal with on a daily basis.  Insecurities that have proven to be debilitating when it comes to having a relationship.  But it’s amazing what a little communication and being each other’s champion can do to build something beautiful and unexpected.

This is #6 in the Portland Heat series and I really hope it doesn’t end here.  They get better with every installment (although Delivered Fast will always be my fave – read it and you’ll know why).  I am sure the stream of diverse and complex beta heroes has something to do with it.  If you are a fan of the forever boy then you must treat yourself to every book in this series.

Nat

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen Cover Reveal

OMG all!  Sarina Bowen is releasing a m/m book and we've got the cover to show you!  If you love Sarina as much as we do, you will join us in a happy dance!  Let's make Wednesday awesome!

The book is Goodbye Paradise and if you've read the True North Series, you may recognize Paradise.  Goodbye Paradise tells the story of Joshua and Caleb.  Check out the blurb:

Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home. 

In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world. 

But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves. 

It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.

Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires. 

Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels? 

Warning: Contains a hot male/male romance, copious instances of taking the Lord's name in vain, and love against the kitchen counter. This book was previously released under the title: In Front of God & Everyone.

Without further adieu, check out this awesome, awesome cover!

Book two is Hello Forever.

Seriously, I CANNOT wait to read these books.  There will be so many feels.  So many.

~ Shel

Marked by Fire (Sons of Britain #1) by Mia West

* * *

Eighteen-year-old Arthur burns for two things: a warrior’s ink, and Bedwyr, his older brother’s friend and shield-mate. Though the warlord’s son is beyond his reach, a Saxon incursion finally brings Arthur’s chance at the tattoo that will brand him a fighter. But when he abandons his training in the heat of battle, his reckless ambition costs Bedwyr his sword hand.

Once, Bedwyr trusted in two things: he was a warrior, and the presumed heir of Uthyr ap Emrys. Now, reeling from injury and banished by his father, he’s lost everything. The last person he can face is the cub who ignited his disastrous instinct to protect, especially when he arrives with Bedwyr’s armor and a dangerously hopeful scheme to restore him to his rightful place.

MARKED BY FIRE is the 1st book (28,000 words) of SONS OF BRITAIN, a fresh, dark, sexy retelling of Arthurian legend:

1. Marked by Fire
2. Etched in Stone
3. Bound by Blood

Content Note: Includes depictions of violence in battle settings.

SONS OF BRITAIN series
They’re a long way from legendary. Amid the volatility of 6th-century Britain, Arthur and Bedwyr are just two young men, born to fight and bound to their warlord by blood and oath. But when fierce hearts collide, loyalties can shift, creating bonds far stronger—and ideas far riskier—than their world may be ready for.

SONS OF BRITAIN is the second series of the STORM’S EDGE saga. 


I needed a quick read as I was in between books and Marked By Fire fit the bill. What I know about King Arthur is essentially what I've been exposed to in pop culture - lady in the lake, sword, knights, round table, Lancelot, Guinevere - so I was naturally curious about Mia West's reimagining of the legendary king. She certainly had fun with it. 

In West's version, Arthur is an impressionable young lad of eighteen who's ready to prove to his family and king that he's prepared for warfare. His first battle goes horribly wrong whereby the king's son, Bedwyr becomes injured when he attempts to protect Arthur from attack. Bedwyr is sent away from the village to heal and Arthur later follows after to care for him, train him and return with him to the village once he is all better. During this time Bedwyr's feelings for Arthur come to the surface. For Arthur, it's all his dreams come to fruition as he's been pining away for Bedwyr all this time. There's something innocent and sweet about their bond despite all the complications surrounding them.

I had a fun time reading Marked By Fire. Granted, it's a bit odd at first because an M/M version of the Arthurian legend has never crossed my mind. But since the legend itself has so many possible sources, it's easy for West to put her own spin on it. That time period in Britain has always fascinated me so I could hardly say no to ancient warriors, magic and romance. I liked that this starts off with a young Arthur before he discovers his destiny. This is my first book by Mia West and I plan on reading the rest of the Sons of Britain series!

~ Bel

Glad Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins

***1/2

A HOLIDAY ROMANCE BETWEEN A DRIFTER AND A LONER…

Eddie Rodrigues doesn’t stay in one place long enough to get attached. The only time he broke that rule, things went south fast. Now he’s on the road again, with barely enough cash in his pocket to hop a bus to Texas after his (sort-of-stolen) car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Midwest, USA.

He’s fine. He’ll manage. Until he watches that girl get hit by a car and left to die.

Local shop owner Grayson Croft isn’t in the habit of doing people any favors. But even a recluse can’t avoid everyone in a town as small as Clear Lake. And when the cop who played Juliet to your Romeo in the high school play asks you to put up her key witness for the night, you say yes.

Now Gray’s got a grouchy glass artist stomping around his big, empty house, and it turns out that he . . . maybe . . . kind of . . . likes the company.

But Eddie Rodrigues never sticks around.

Unless a Christmas shop owner who hates the season can show an orphan what it means to have family for the holidays.

I admit, I went on a holiday romance bender this year.  I couldn't concentrate on any other books during the season.  Glass Tidings by the amazing Amy Jo Cousins was one of my favorites.  

Grayson is a delightful curmudgeon, whose heart has been broken and therefore shies away from life.  I adore him.  

Eddie has a different fear of living and serious abandonment issues that he deals with by never getting close to anyone.  After all, if you are always drifting from place to place without making any connections or putting down roots, people cannot leave you.  

These lost and frightened souls broke my heart.  Cousins' descriptions of the the loneliness felt by both men was realistic and powerful, especially during the holidays.  

  

I loved the visuals of Eddie and Grayson sitting by the fire reading in the evenings.  This would definitely be the way to my heart.  It was truly a lovely holiday read.

~ Shel

         

Due Diligence by Anna Zabo

*** ½

From Intermix:


A business trip leads to a surprise encounter with an old flame in this sexy romance from the author of Just Business.
 
After Fazil Kurt breaks up with his girlfriend, a business trip to Seattle offers some much-needed time away. Sent by S.R. Anderson Consulting, Fazil is there to help audit Singularity Storage, a company they are trying to save. His first discovery is intriguing to say the least: One of Singularity's engineers is Todd Douglas, Fazil’s first love.
 
He knows better than to get personally involved on a job like this. Back in high school, Todd broke Fazil’s heart more times than he could count, but both men have grown so much since then—and Fazil never could say no to Todd...


Source: This book was received from Penguin/Intermix and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review:

Oh man.  Anna Zabo has done it again.  I just love the Takeover series.  I mean, we won’t discuss how many times I’ve re-read Just Business.  And now I can add Due Diligence to my comfort read list too.  Full of emotional moments, hot magic time and a guaranteed HEA.

Fazil Kurt has my love for life.  Add him to my list of book boyfriends now.  And what’s crazy is that he’s not my typical forever boy.  But from the very first chapter he just leaped off the page.  He’s dedicated and focused yet his inner turmoil was palpable.   It’s an excellent combination that made him unbelievably three dimensional.

It took me a longer time to warm up to Todd.  In the beginning, I got a vague feeling that he was gaslighting Fazil.   The only reason I dismissed my gut instinct was because this is a romance and he was definitely one of the heroes.  Also, I fully admit, I fell in love Fazil instantly so I immediately wanted to protect him and believe that he could do no wrong.  So poor Todd got the brunt of my distrust.   But things are never exactly the way we see them and there is always the other person’s side to the story.  No gaslighting here.  Just misunderstandings paired with insecurities that never completely went away after their teen years.

Once I was truly convinced that Todd was a nice guy, reading the push and pull between these two characters was a goose bump inducing treat.   Seeing them work through their shared history and trying so hard to not repeat it, sometimes successfully and sometimes not, was an emotional experience.  It was also hotter than hell.  The sex scenes in this book are rough and just a little dirty.  Let’s just say that Ms. Zabo certainly knows how to make her characters set my tablet on fire.  

My only complaint while reading this story was the one-sided insta-love.  One sided because it was only on Todd’s part.  Fazil was much more cautious and guarded with his feelings.  If you know me, insta-love is a really hard sell.  To be fair, Todd’s actions and feelings were totally in keeping with his character.  And let’s be honest, my own Fazil-love is probably clouding my judgement.  Again, poor, poor Todd.  This likable fellow is really getting some undeserved reservations from me. Oy!

If you are looking for a super-hot and satisfying romance, a love story that will engage you emotionally and serve up a perfect Happy Ever After, read Due Diligence right now!  And if you haven’t already, read the other two in this series.  You won’t be disappointed.

Nat

Status Update by Annabeth Albert

* * * * *

Adrian Gottlieb is winning at life. He's a successful video game designer with everything a man could ask for, including a warm comfy ride to Denver and a date for his sister's wedding. But he finds himself in need of a total reboot when he's left stranded at a snowy campground in Utah. Holiday plans? Epic fail.

That is until Noah Walters offers him shelter for the night and a reluctant cross-country ride. Nothing about the ultraconservative geoarchaeologist should attract Adrian, but once he discovers Noah's hidden love for video games, the two connect on a new level. Soon, a quiet but undeniable chemistry sparks.

Something doesn't add up, though. As the miles accumulate and time runs out, Noah must face the most difficult choice of his life. Meanwhile, Adrian must decide whether he's ready to level up. Is their relationship status worth fighting for, or has this game ended before it's even begun? 

Review:

I read Status Update in October of last year but never wrote a review.  Not sure why other than life happened (the last couple months of the year were emotionally insane) and I got distracted.  That can be the only reason because this story was wonderful and needs to be shared with romance lovers everywhere.

When Noah sees a young hipster with his tiny dog at the dog area of the RV park, he just wishes he were alone.  Noah doesn’t do people.  And his dog doesn’t do other dogs.  Especially snack size balls of fur.  Noah isn’t necessarily surly.  Just an intense introvert.  After a few words with the outgoing and energetic young man, Noah heads back to his RV.  But his quiet lonesome existence is upset later that evening when the same man he saw earlier is stranded in the cold after an argument with his boyfriend.   Noah is a naturally kind and thoughtful person so he isn’t going to leave the guy and his dog out in freezing rain.  He invites him to stay overnight after which he can head to the RV park office to call his family for assistance.

Adrian is kicking himself for being in a situation that will make his entire family say, “I told you so.”  But he is extremely grateful for the kindness of the quiet stranger he had met earlier.  Before his road trip to visit family spectacularly fell apart.  He’s even more grateful when said stranger takes mercy on his situation and offers to drive him to Denver, giving him a temporary reprieve from hearing the expected familial censure about his current situation and his luck in the relationship department.

What these two don’t expect is to bond over a mutual love of video games during their drive to Denver.  Adrian is a video game designer of a popular crowd-sourced video game and Noah just happens to be one of their financial contributors.   The fact that they are also attracted to each other is not lost on either of them.  On top of all of that they just seem to work together naturally.  Adrian understands Noah’s need to think and consider before doing or saying anything and Noah appreciates Adrian’s tendency to take control of situations.  Unfortunately, Adrian is out and proud.  Noah?  Not so much.  His fundamental Christian upbringing as well as his job as a professor at a well-known conservative Christian college makes it impossible for him to be who he is. 

Adrian’s enthusiasm and hopeful nature allow him to look at this growing relationship as something with potential.  Unfortunately, no matter how much Noah enjoys their time together and no matter how obvious it is that Adrian can give him all the things Noah has wanted for years, Noah is convinced this is just a temporary blip in his normally lonely existence.  But Adrian is determined to find a way to make it all work in a way that will make them both happy.  The question is whether Noah can make a leap that lacks the certainty that he has always required when making any sort of life changing decision.

Even after a re-read (to write this review) my heart shattered and mended itself as if I was reading it for the first time.  But don’t think this is one big angst-y mess.  I laughed out loud - A LOT -  while reading this.  So much I had to share a number of quotes with my fellow Bibliojunkies.  Quotes that were amusing enough to get Shel to read it (AND enjoy it) when she doesn’t usually gravitate towards m/m titles.

So, yeah.  Status Update is a total winner.  If you are looking for a feel good love story featuring some great laugh out loud moments, hot geeks, and some real emotional kissing and sexy time, you must pick this one up.   The only reason this book didn’t make it to my Top Ten of 2015  is because I was limiting myself to one book per author and I had already chosen Annabeth Albert’s Delivered Fast for the list (BTW – order the Portland Heat bundle here – you won’t be disappointed).  So, if you weren’t aware of my feelings after this review, that should give you a better idea.   

Happy Reading! 

Nat

Off Campus (Bend or Break #1) by Amy Jo Cousins

* * * *

Everyone’s got secrets. Some are just harder to hide.

With his father’s ponzi scheme assets frozen, Tom Worthington believes finishing college is impossible unless he can pay his own way. After months sleeping in his car and gypsy-cabbing for cash, he’s ready to do just that.

But his new, older-student housing comes with an unapologetically gay roommate. Tom doesn’t ask why Reese Anders has been separated from the rest of the student population. He’s just happy to be sleeping in a bed.

Reese isn’t about to share his brutal story with his gruff new roommate. You’ve seen one homophobic jock, you’ve seen ’em all. He plans to drag every twink on campus into his bed until Tom moves out. But soon it becomes clear Tom isn’t budging.

Tom isn’t going to let some late-night sex noise scare him off, especially when it’s turning him on. But he doesn’t want any drama either. He’ll keep his hands, if not his eyes, to himself. Boundaries have a way of blurring when you start sharing truths, though. And if Tom and Reese cross too many lines, they may need to find out just how far they can bend…before they break.

Warning: This book contains cranky roommates who vacillate between lashing out and licking, some male/male voyeurism, emotional baggage that neither guy wants to unpack, and the definitive proof that sound carries in college housing.

Review:

After more than a summer of sleeping in his car and driving a cab to make cash and save money for school, Tom Worthington is excited to finally have an actual bed to sleep in.  But when he arrives at the off-campus housing he’s been assigned to, he finds his bed has been converted into a couch.  Apparently his new roommate wasn’t expecting company for the school year. 

After a vicious on-campus assault the year before, Reese Anders was promised a private room in the off-campus housing usually reserved for adults.  Needless to say he was unhappy and extremely displeased to find an oversized jock standing in his doorway and expecting to sleep in his room.   

No amount of complaining will help the situation.   There is not enough available housing for Reese to have a single and Tom has nowhere else to go.  So they’ll have to figure out how to live together until the next school year.  Tom is cool with that.  He just wants to keep his head down and get through the next three semesters.  But Reese?  He is determined to have his own space.  His safety and peace of mind depend on it.  So what should scare off an assumedly homophobic jock more than anything?  Purposely bringing guys back to their room for a good time, of course.  But what Reese doesn’t understand is that Tom is not only not homophobic, he’s not all that straight either.   Tom knows what Reese is doing but he’s too desperate for a room and a bed to be scared off.  Plus, listening in is kind of hot.  Not that the very reserved Tom is going to admit that to anyone but himself. 

This book is told through Tom’s POV (third person).  Because of this, the reader becomes intimately aware of the kind of person Tom used to be and the young man he’s become thanks to the criminal actions of his father.  A once overly privileged and careless young man has become so careful and overly focused that his paranoia uncomfortably leaps off the page.  But that same watchfulness allows him to be super aware that his roommate is negatively reacting to their room situation because he’s afraid of Tom.  Mostly Tom’s size in comparison to Reese’s smaller stature.  And because Tom has become so much more conscious of others, he does everything he can to alleviate that fear.  Even to the extent of making himself physically smaller when he’s in the same room as Reese.  Reese is just as watchful as Tom in some ways.  And as he becomes more comfortable with Tom he also sees more of things that Tom doesn’t want anyone to see.  At one point Tom finds out that Reese had been purposely leaving apples on his desk because he saw that Tom was financially struggling and couldn’t always afford or fit in a healthy snack or meal.  It was a very short but sweet moment that said a lot about both of these characters.  As Tom and Reese get to know each other and eventually begin a relationship, it’s amazing and beautiful to see the lengths they will go to make the other feel safe.

Sweet moments aside, there has to be a conflict in every romance.  No relationship can survive the PTSD that both of these men are experiencing without some professional help.  The problem is that they are both resistant to that help. Tom especially since he is convinced reaching out will make him vulnerable to the press that hounded him after his father was arrested.  Tom’s acceptance of his issues and his fear of seeking help is more than a little frustrating.  Especially since Reese shows more willingness to face his fears and try.  The conflict in this story is honest and messy and sometimes unflattering.  Tom’s and Reese’s issues are the kind that they will be working on for a lifetime.  But, in the end, their willingness to do so is what makes their story so beautiful and so relatable. 

I’ve read this entire series (more reviews to come!) and I have found that Amy Jo Cousins has an amazing knack for writing characters with frightening realistic personality traits that will drive you nuts.  And yet you fall in love with those characters because they are so ridiculously human it’s impossible not to.  Off Campus is a great contemporary New Adult romance featuring two young men that are determined to make a relationship work in spite of and because of their individual traumatic experiences. 

Nat

Snowcroft Safehouse by Christi Snow

*** 1/2

A year ago Declan Jasper was entertaining sold-out arena crowds as the lead singer of Black Rainbows. But that came to an explosive end when the band got caught up in a criminal cover-up, one that ended with the entire band dead. At least that’s what everyone is supposed to think. 

Now, Dex is hiding in plain sight, working as the school band director in a sleepy little mountain resort town while under the protection of a hard-nosed FBI agent. Instead of eyeliner and black leather, he now wears glasses and corduroy. Instead of having sexy coeds—both male and female—throw themselves into his bed, he’s dealing with teenage angst and grumpy parents. 

At the top of his troubles list is Kelsey Walker, a junior high bundle of rare musical talent in the form of one confused, messed-up adolescent. Dex figures the problem comes from her broken home and wants to help. But when he meets her father, sexy bar-owner, Jack Walker, he realizes that instead of helping he’s probably just bringing more trouble and danger to their door. 

Dex has to stay alive until the trial to bring his bandmates’ murderers to justice, but can he do that if it means sacrificing his own happily ever after?

Review:

Snowcroft Safehouse opens with Dex Jasper and his bandmates buoying up their bassist, Michael.  Michael’s ex-boyfriend has left him beaten and scared for himself and those around him.  The band is dealing with the issue but the show must go on.  Unfortunately, the show doesn’t go on.  An timely placed bomb puts an end to lives of everyone in the band except Dex.   

A year after the night that irreparably changed his life, Dex finds himself living in Snowcroft, NM.  The world thinks he’s dead and Dex is living under WitSec protection until the trial that will hopefully convict the man responsible for taking the life of his friends.  Dex arrives in town with a new name (Finn Alexander), a new handler (a hot straight-laced FBI agent that will hopefully have his own book one day) and a new job teaching band to a small group of middle school students.  All things he thinks he can handle temporarily.  What he doesn’t expect his the instant attraction he feels for the local bar owner…and of course, father of his brightest and most talented student.

Jack Walker is pretty happy with life.  Except that he has no idea how to handle his 12 year old daughter’s mood swings.  Nor does he know what to do about his sex life.  The thing is, Jack is gay.  He knows this.  But he isn’t out.  Being a single dad to a middle-school aged kid in a small town has made embracing that part of himself difficult.  But when Finn Alexander walks into his bar he has hard time hiding his interest.

In a small town it’s impossible to avoid each other and soon Jack and Dex find themselves exploring the possibilities of a relationship.  Jack will need to decide if their relationship is worth coming out and possibly putting his daughter’s small town social life at risk.  And Dex will need to decide if he cannot only tell Jack his true identity but also put him at risk while the trial is still underway.

This was an extremely satisfying m/m romance.   Both men were extremely likable.  I found Dex’s reactions to life after such trauma and loss completely believable.  And although I didn’t LIKE the reason for Jack’s resistance I completely understood it.   There is a perfect amount of mystery built into the story.  It was almost like watching a ramped up episode of In Plain Sight.  Which is one of my favorite shows so it’s no wonder I seriously enjoyed this book.

If you love small town romance with a touch of drama and mystery I can’t recommend this one enough.

Nat

Starstruck by L.A. Witt

*** 1/2

Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi's.

Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf's Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn't so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn't stick, either, because he's offered a part on the show-exactly the kind of complex role he'd always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet-no matter how attractive he finds his costar.

Carter Samuels is the critically acclaimed male lead on Wolf's Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting-and made him realize he's gay-is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.

Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi's disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can't have but both desperately need

Review:

I believe everyone goes through reading slumps at one time or another.  It seems to happen to me at least once a year.  But eventually a book comes along to save the day.  A book that hits the spot.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  It just has to be perfect for me at the time I’m reading it. 

Starstruck was that book.  I had just gone through a string of romances that just weren’t doing it for me.  It had been a little while since I had read a m/m romance so I decided to pick this one out of my TBR list.  And, boy, am I glad that I did.  This book has everything.  Beautiful scenery.  Hollywood-beautiful boys.  A CocaCola addicted main character. Steamy hot drinks.  Steamy hot bedroom scenes.  And, the Pièce de résistance, two forever boys.

Levi left Hollywood after being typecast and never being allowed to expand his skills into other film genres.  He’s been enjoying a quiet and drama-free life in Bluewater Bay, WA.  Other than helping produce and direct local theater productions, Levi pretty much keeps to himself.  And he likes it that way.  So when an old Hollywood acquaintance asks to meet with him about the hit show that has been filming in town, Levi is thoroughly annoyed.  He has successfully left Hollywood and now it seems Hollywood has decided to invade his turf.  But, as much as he would like to tell everyone to go away, he is being offered the role of a lifetime.  A role that will allow him to broaden his career and help him break free of the typecasting that he has resented for so long.  The only catch is that he has to stay in the closet.  With a star and director that are out in the open about their sexuality, the production company has decided they don’t want the hit show to be known as the “gay” show and are unwilling to add another gay actor to the cast.  This obviously bothers Levi but since he’s never been willing to come out of the closet anyway, he might be willing to go along with this so he can take advantage of a career changing opportunity.

When Carter sees his idol and Hollywood crush, Levi Pritchard, touring the set, he is absolutely giddy.   So much so that he takes a chance and visits a rehearsal at the local theater so he can introduce himself to Levi and talk about his possible casting in the show.  Unexpectedly,  Carter and Levi hit it off immediately.  They find that they both have a mutual love for indie films.  It doesn’t take long before they are spending every free moment watching movies together at Levi’s home.   

Their attraction to each other is undeniable.   But Levi is not so willing to come out of the closet and Carter is unwilling to be a secret.  The two of them struggle with being best friends when they want to add so much more to their relationship.  Until Levi can stand up for himself and until he realizes he won’t really be losing anything by being open about who he is, their friendship continues to become more tense.

Like I said, this book hit the spot.  I love stories about nice people.  And these men were NICE.  I love stories that focus on connections besides the obvious sexual attraction.   Watching these two men become best friends while pursuing mutual interests is what made me love them and cheer them on.  That’s one of the things that make me, as a reader, feel like I know the main characters.  It forces me to care for them as if they were my best friends and family.

I’ve read L.A. Witt once before (Covet Thy Neighbor – loved it!) and after reading Starstruck,  I will now be making an effort to move her previous books closer to the top of the TBR pile.   If you are looking for hot boys, romance and  just the right amount of angst  then I recommend you pick this one up very soon.

Nat 

Family Man by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

* * * *

Sometimes family chooses you.

How does a man get to be forty without knowing whether he’s gay? That’s a question Vince Fierro is almost afraid to answer. If he is gay, it’ll be a problem for his big, fat Italian family. Still, after three failed marriages, he can’t help but wonder if he’s been playing for the wrong team.

There’s only one way to settle it, once and for all—head for Chicago’s Boystown bars, far from anyone who knows him. Naturally, he runs smack into someone from the neighborhood.

Between working two jobs, going to school, taking care of his grandmother, and dealing with his mother’s ongoing substance abuse, Trey Giles has little time for fun, let alone dating someone who swears he’s straight. Yet after one night of dancing cheek-to-cheek to the sultry strains of Coltrane, Trey finds himself wanting to help Vinnie figure things out—no promises, and no sex.

It seems like a simple plan, until their “no-sex” night turns into the best date of their lives and forges a connection that complicates everything.

Warning:  This book deals with alcoholism, broken promises, and overbearing little sisters.

Review: 

I’ve read a string of crappy books lately.  It was getting so frustrating that I actually decided to not finish one.  I rarely do that.  Then after not finishing a book, I went on to experience the supreme downer of reading a craptastic book  that was recommended to me and that had over 1000 5* reviews on GoodReads.  I needed some sort of palate cleanser after that piece of drivel.  Something to remind me how amazing gay romances can truly be.  How to do that?  Hmmmm…Oh, I know! Maybe look on my TBR shelf...  And that’s where I found Family Man.

Let me tell you.  This book was the saving grace of my August reads.  I think it actually started an amazing upward climb in good reading karma because I read two more books after this and I loved them as well.

While working on a plumbing job for a gay couple in Lakeview, Vince Fierro realizes that the loving relationship these two men have with each other might be what’s wrong with his love life.   Vinnie experimented with a guy in college but never went any farther than that.  Because what would his family think?  And if he’s cool with girls why take the risk losing his big close Italian family’s acceptance?  But Vinnie is starting to have an idea of what’s been missing in his life and he makes the decision to slowly explore the possibilities. 

So many gay romances revolve around the struggle of familial acceptance.  And Family Man is no different.  What was different from other m/m romances I have read was Vinnie’s family dynamic.  He comes from a large Italian family.  The kind that is all up in each other’s business every minute of every day.  It reminded me greatly of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  I was waiting any minute for Vinnie’s grandfather to pull out a bottle of Windex. 

One of the most important people in this family is Vinnie’s sister.  She is the one he goes to when he needs to talk and she is the one he first comes out to.  What I found fascinating was how in the beginning his sister yells at him for buying into gay stereotypes; forcing Vinnie to realize that being gay only means that he likes men and doesn’t necessarily mean he has to fit into a mold.   But as Vinnie slowly explores his sexuality and educates himself, his sister is the one that is challenged with reconciling her gay brother with her inherent expectation of macho Italian men. 

Then there is Trey.  Trey is busting his ass; working two jobs, going to school part time, helping his aging grandmother and tolerating/helping his substance amusing mother.  With everything he has going on, Trey doesn’t have time for pursuing a relationship.  But sometimes life doesn’t give us a choice.  Like when you see Vince Fierri sitting alone at a gay bar in Boystown.  After an unexpectedly romantic evening of dancing at a nearby jazz club, Trey’s plans for avoiding a relationship are completely thrown out the window. 

I felt that Trey was not only dangerously close to being a forever boy but he was also an emotionally complicated character.  Which is no surprise when you are dealing with a 25 year old man that has been dealing with his mother’s addiction for at least the past 15 years of his life.  I really appreciated the authors’ portrayal of Trey and his feelings towards his mom.  His mother is an alcoholic that has gone through multiple programs (programs that cost Trey his college fund and forced his grandmother to take a 2^nd mortgage on her home) but has never been sober for more than a few months.  Trey has a lot of anger and frustration and I liked how no punches were pulled when he was internalizing his feelings when his mom fell off the wagon yet again.

Trey has his grandmother and a small family of close friends.  But even though he is close to them he often feels he is isolated.   So when Vinnie offers the hope of more family, Trey isn’t sure if he should stay hidden in his bubble or embrace the gift of family that Vinnie is giving him.  Seeing Vinnie’s quiet and unobtrusive persistence when it comes to giving Trey the family he needs is wonderfully sweet. 

I highly recommend Family Man if you like a little bit of angst and whole lot of sweetness and romance.  It hit the spot for me and I hope it will for you too.

Nat

Takeover by Anna Zabo

* * * 1/2

Michael Sebastian thought Curacao would be the perfect place to have a little fun in the sun—and between the sheets. So far, no one has struck his interest, until Sam Anderson walks into the bar. With one look at his tense body and expensive suit, Michael knows that this is a man in need of release. And Michael is more than willing to lend a hand.

Shattered by the most intense sex he’s ever had, Sam has to face the facts—one night with a handsome, dominating stranger is all he gets before returning to the closet he’s been suffocating in for years. But when Sam starts his new job as the CEO of a failing technology company, he discovers that Michael is one of his new employees.

While Michael is desperate for another night with Sam, he knows he shouldn’t get involved with his boss, let alone another man who can’t accept who he is. But as they’re forced to work together to save the company, the desire sparking between them becomes impossible to ignore…



Review:

In a recent review I stated how I’m not a big fan of “love at first sight” stories.  But I do love stories about instant attraction that grow into something more.  So I guess I believe in magic just not that magic equates to love?  I don’t know.  There’s really no explaining how my bizarre brain works.  In any case…When Michael first sees Sam in that bar in Curacao there is definitely attraction.  And after a hot night and an exchange of power neither have experienced in years, they realize that it was a night neither will forget.  They might not know each other well enough to be in love with each other but they know enough to realize that they each have something the other needs.  If circumstances were different they might see where this relationship will go.  But Michael leaves for home the next day and Sam’s vacation is just starting.

Sam and Michael never expected to see each other again.  They didn’t even know each other’s last names.  But it’s a small world sometimes.  And that couldn’t have been more obvious when Sam shows up as the new CEO of the failing software company Michael works for in Pittsburgh.  A relationship in their current situation is impossible.  One, Michael is Sam’s employee.  Two, Sam is not out.  Sam made the decision to go back into the closet and lock the door when he decided on his career path.  Corporate America wasn’t ready for a gay CEO and Sam wasn’t willing to give up his dream of a successful career in the corporate world.  

But as I said, they each have something the other needs.   After managing and controlling every part of a company during the day, Sam wants nothing more than to surrender in the bedroom.  And Michael?  Well, he wants nothing more than to dominate in the bedroom.   Match made in heaven, right?  Almost.  There is that pesky business about Sam being Michael’s boss.  And then there is the ultimate deal breaker for Michael – Sam staying in the closet. 

I loved Michael and Sam’s dynamic relationship.  There was so much energy and intensity.   All of that emotion and sexual tension about jumped off the page.  The bedroom scenes in this book contain quite a bit of BDSM play.  That is the place Sam can let go and Michael is more than willing to oblige.  I don’t consider any of these scenes “hard core” but they ARE  hotter than hell.  Phew!

It wasn’t perfect.  I had a small yet noticeable issue with this book.  And that was the repetition of the word, “spine.”  Phrases like “Sam’s spine tingled” and “pinpricks ran up his spine,” were a bit overdone. 29 times overdone.  I got it the first time.  And just in case I’m really slow, I can forgive the second .  But 29 times?  Not cool.   There may have been repetition in other areas but that was the one that hit me over the head for some reason.   That’s really the only complaint I had.  And in the end it’s a small one.  A small one I can live with because Michael and Sam’s story is hot and sexy and romantic.  And when it comes down to it, hot/sexy/romantic is EXACTLY what I’m looking for in a romance.

Nat