Devil’s Own

K.M. Neuhold (Palm Island #6)

Neuhold has teased a potential relationship between Raven and married couple Devil and Angel for multiple books in this series, and the full story measures up to all of my expectations. Raven feels much more at the center of this story than the other two men regarding individual character development. However, his journey meshes with the relationship arc so well that the story and pacing never become awkward. I adored learning Raven’s secrets and his surprising connection to Palm Island. Neuhold leaves herself plenty of opportunity to return to this amazing place to tell more stories, but I’m entirely satisfied with leaving the main cadre of characters I’ve fallen in love with to live out their happily ever afters.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

Only Orlando

Charlie Novak

Count me among those who have wanted the full story of Orlando and his Daddy and Sir since their first mention in Eli’s book a few years ago. As a secondary character, Orlando comes off as a bit of a stereotypical twink. As the main character in his own book, he’s still kind of a stereotypical twink, but Novak always adds so much depth of personality to her characters that I don’t mean that in any sort of negative way. Charles and Jude also inhabit their roles and partnership as a solid duo who effortlessly make me understand Orlando’s attraction to them; however, both men also exist as fully fleshed-out characters who develop a unique relationship with Orlando instead of being a single entity as an already married couple. The details of this polyamorous relationship offer plenty of opportunity for angst and drama. Instead, I appreciate how Novak centers all points of conflict on the three men building a solid relationship as the foundation for a nontraditional happily ever after in this sexy and emotional romance.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

Knowing You

E.M. Lindsey (Words We Never Said #1)

As a childfree (but not anti-child) reader who primarily enjoys books for escapism, Lindsey makes the short list of authors who can write a single-dad romance, incorporate a young child as a frequent, relevant secondary character, and still make me thoroughly enjoy the book. Briar is as well-developed a character as romantic leads Lane and Bowen, who capture my heart with their equally well-developed personalities and unique backstories. Their story arc did not unfold how I originally anticipated, which is another credit to Lindsey’s storytelling ability. The delayed happily ever after provides the perfect amount of angst and true emotional connection that I’ve come to expect from this author, which this lovely book does not hesitate to deliver. The setup of additional secondary characters even means I’m officially looking forward to reading more single-dad romances in the future.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

All’s Fair in Dare and Domination

Rikki Leighton (All’s Fair #2)

Shiloh was such an engaging character in the previous book set in this world that I knew immediately I’d be reading his story. Leighton had hinted at specific drama between Shiloh and Corvin…and the true story is more intense and dramatic than I could have imagined. Corvin’s interest in Shiloh doesn’t necessarily make sense, but it doesn’t have to as long as he prioritizes Shiloh’s health and safety. That he does, unapologetically, results in a truly unexpected and genuinely engrossing romance arc between two characters who work together so well, even (or especially) when it’s also such a delicious struggle.

On the Mountain

Riley Hart

Hart warned that this book was different from her usual fare, and while that is partially true, I’d also argue that it features the excellent character-driven romance I’ve come to expect from her stories. Cyrus and Crow are phenomenally well-developed characters, and their story together is simultaneously unexpected and engaging. The connection that grows between them includes love, but it’s also so much more than that in a way both men desperately need. I often make a point in my book reviews that the characters don’t heal each other; the opposite may be true for this book, but that doesn’t automatically make it a bad thing. With this story, Hart has crafted a unique tale of two fractured men who find their completion in each other, but they turn this into a strength rather than a weakness.

To Catch a Firefly

Emmy Sanders

Love stories like this one make me believe in soulmates. Even if Ellis and Lucky had never ended up together in the end (and that’s not a spoiler, because this is a romance), the history Sanders sets up in the first section of this novel creates a vivid connection between these men that was both inevitable and sure to stand the test of time. For being a story in which the conflict stems from Ellis and Lucky truly opening up to each other (with a little external help), this book packs an emotional punch. The level of potential between them gripped me as much as a much angstier book might have. Even though Sanders creates two characters who would never hurt each other, she still makes them work for their incredibly satisfying happily ever after.

Common Ground

R.J. Moray (His Boy Next Door #40)

This installment to one of my favorite series isn’t as overtly kinky or sexual as others; despite this, I never felt a lack because the story captivated me completely by delving into an issue long overdue to be explored. Jack and Channon have never had a traditional relationship, which means not being limited to traditional constraints. On the surface, this episode is about Channon wanting his Sir and his best friend to find a way to exist in the same space without the constant threat of bloodshed. Moray goes deeper, though, as the characters also subtly explore an unspoken truth of this world. The Jack/Channon and Nate/Ewan pairings might be primary, but the weight of the shared history between Jack and Nate cannot be ignored. Once again, Channon’s perfection is a feature, not a bug, of his characterization, and I continue to adore seeing how he steers the course through his complicated, but always amazing, happily ever after.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

Links to my other 5-star book reviews in the past month: