Immersion Play
Katherine McIntyre (Leather and Lattes #1)
The experienced Dom and naive sub falling for each other is a pretty common trope in kink romance. However, McIntyre elevates this easy relationship shortcut by making the kink element only a small facet of what develops between Micah and Parker. The chemistry between them is visceral from the first moment both men are on-page together, and ironically, McIntyre first uses kink as their excuse to keep apart, then to keep boundaries between each other when they inevitably cave. The true relationship arc of this book centers on character development separate from kink and creates a solid love story that should appeal to any romance fan. Even better, we’ll have plenty more time to enjoy these two men as we explore the rest of the intriguing and dynamic found family introduced in this series debut.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
The Amazing Alpha Tau Pledge Project
Lisa Henry & Sarah Honey (Alpha Tau #3)
This series continues to surprise me in all the best ways possible. I’m not one for college romance stories as a reader, and I’m really not one for frat boys as a person, but Henry and Honey have set Alpha Tau on a level all on its own. Most amazingly, that level is so genuine that I can easily imagine these college boys in real life (we would be so lucky to have them take over the next generation of lawyers). Casey and Briar don’t disappoint in this latest installment, with both characters addressing realistic internal and external conflict that leads to strong and satisfying character development. Alpha Tau consists of more than just queer frat boys; they form a lovely found family that brings a smile to my face every time I read more about them.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the authors.
Promises of Forever
Nicky James
I got about 6% into this book and almost decided to set it aside because I was so uninterested in the escapades of 10-year-old boys at summer camp. However, I’ve never been let down by a James book yet, so I kept reading. I almost put it down again soon after, because I also had trouble connecting with Jersey as a character. Soon enough, however, the connection between Jersey and Koa, linking in both past and present drew me in. I definitely shed some tears over Jersey’s renewed dedication to Koa in the face of Koa’s personal struggles, and I have no regrets that I ended up binge-reading this book in a single evening instead of working on other things. This isn’t always an easy read, but the hard-won happily ever after is incredibly satisfying.
In This Shadow, Longing
Marina Vivancos (Coven Ties #3)
Cross is not a man who requires redemption–to anyone except himself. His fear of repeating past mistakes and the physical damage that results is incredibly visceral. Even though he has his own problems, Alex brings a necessary balance of lightness to this story. Cross’ journey of healing, under Alex’s capable guidance, is incredibly satisfying, and I especially enjoyed the trope inversion of the submissive in a power dynamic functionally leading the encounters (an unexpected benefit to the fascinating fantasy worldbuilding of this series). The love that develops between them is inevitable, with the conflict arising from both men trying to do the “right” thing. I’ve enjoyed every visit to this world, but this book has been the true stand-out so far.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
House of Cards
Garrett Leigh (Porth Ewan Bay #1)
I never read the first edition of this book, but I’m more than happy to read anything by this author even without the treat of Rebel Kings cameos. Calum has found himself at the bottom of a hole, but his old friend Brix is more than happy to help dig him out. However, renewing their friendship starts to shine light on what they could have had before…and that Brix himself isn’t exactly on solid ground. The bond that develops between these men is subtle while still being incredibly romantic. I look forward to seeing glimpses of them in future books as much as certain MC members.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Temperance
Lark Taylor (Damned Connections #3)
Taylor has teased us with this pairing for multiple books, so I enjoyed how the timeline rewinds to show us the full scope of Blaise and Toby’s developing relationship. Bringing forward this previous side story as a full redemption storyline reveals multiple new levels of satisfying conflict rather than simply giving readers a repetition of earlier events from different perspectives. At first, the relationship between them is beneficial to both, especially because Taylor never sugarcoats Blaise’s reactions to his trauma. Of course, “relationship” is a bit of a misnomer because the men initially enter into a D/s contract, all the while quietly certain that the other does not return stronger feelings. As with any true paranormal romance, their bumpy romantic arc ends up heavily entwined with the book’s external conflict, representing a greater threat to their bond than merely a refusal to express true feelings. This book is a more than worthwhile read to continue this series, but I also highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Taylor’s Reckless Damned series.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
New Tricks
Jodi Payne & B.A. Tortuga (Les’s Bar #4)
Payne and Tortuga’s East meets West (plus add a dash of kink) books are one-click reads for me. New Yorker Elijah quickly becomes a stand-out character in this world for me. The Western element is a bit more subtle in this series, but displaced Texan Kit is a delightful character with unexpected (and unresolved) depth that I loved getting to know. He fits so well with Elijah from the first moment that the story’s conflict stems from how naturally they fall into a dynamic together. Both characters are newer to the D/s scene, exploring their wants and needs together, which was also a fun perspective to read. However, the characters are still so much more than their relationship or their kink dynamic, and the true joy of this book is the work they do to blend their lives to make the easy things stay easy.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Baby Queen
Charlie Novak (The Court #3)
One of the best parts of fiction is getting to experience lives that are drastically different from your own, and I’ve had a blast seeing “behind the curtain” of drag artists with this series. This might be the (as of now) final book, but Anthony and Colin’s journeys revolve around beginnings. As Colin embarks on a new adventure as a baby queen, Anthony is forced to find a new direction in an older path. They bond over the difficulties of finding a niche in an already established and expansive community, which has the amusing layer of being Novak’s intricately connected cast of characters across multiple series. Our heroes navigate the potential pitfalls of combining romance and mentorship with maturity and grace, as Novak avoids the easy road of using that as a source of conflict. Instead, she highlights real-life personal and professional issues all independent artists can face, no matter their medium, to craft a low angst but incredibly compelling romance. As usual, the book also features all the humor and warmth I love in stories by this author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
The Guy in the Window
Cara Dee
I skipped this book in my initial deep dive into Dee’s backlist because some of the tropes didn’t appeal to me. Now that I’ve been a dedicated fan for a few years, I knew it was time to give it a chance when Dee announced she would soon release a connected title. Sometimes going back to an author’s earlier work can be difficult because they’ve improved so much as a writer and storyteller over time; however, this book exists in that sweet spot where Dee already produced quality work but reading it was still a fun glimpse into a few character archetypes she has developed and improved more recently. This book was a sweet, poignant, and still sexy romp in yet another city I’d fully believe that Dee has spent significant time in, which is once again a credit to her dedication to research and craft. While it doesn’t make my top five reads by this author, this is still a lovely story that I’m glad I finally spent the time to enjoy.
Resisting You
E.M. Lindsey (Words We Never Said #2)
I already knew that one of my favorite authors writing one of my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers) would be a winner, but Lindsey never fails to surprise me with the depths they add to what could otherwise be a relatively simple story. Frey and Renato both have significant layers that can’t be uncovered without work, but the true success of this story is not that they resist each other, but that they endeavor to be their best for and with each other despite that resistance. They never try to deny the worst of each other than they’ve already seen, but the amazing character development that occurs with those lessons is solely for themselves, which makes the ultimate happily ever they find with each other all the more satisfying. As usual, Lindsey also balances perfect spots of humor with some pretty delicious angst to create a book that highlights all the best of what makes them a consistent must-read author for me.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
The Guy in the Alley
Cara Dee
I don’t have opinions about baseball or hockey teams one way or the other, but for a book that’s not a sports romance, this story almost made me want some! As always, the best credit to Dee’s writing is how she brings her characters to life so that I care about every aspect of their lives and world. Trace and Ben meet under extenuating circumstances, but the inherent goodness of each man leads to their unexpected and complicated romance that I was firmly captivated by from the very first moment. Since Dee’s characters also inhabit fully realized worlds, I also found myself invested in other elements (such as Trace’s successes as a small business owner and Ben’s constant dilemmas as he prioritizes everyone except himself) while I anxiously waited for the comfort half of this excellent “hurt/comfort” love story. The resolution is fully worth the pain of the story’s arc, and despite this novel being an “interruption” to Dee’s progress on another series, this excellent read is also more than worth the pain of waiting a bit longer to revisit Mclean House.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Vicious Cycle
L. Eveland (Wayward Sons #3)
Based on Xion’s personal history, I’d assumed this book would be the darkest of this series so far. However, Eveland balances the depths of Xion and Boone’s wounds to craft a poignant, unexpected romance that blooms amidst a complicated and compelling external plot that elevates everything about this world we learned in the previous two books. The Laskin family has power and connections, certainly, but they may have met their match. Boone’s mercenary group forms the third point of a fascinating power struggle that involves Xion and his brothers (both biological and adopted). Though this book ends in a satisfying (and much deserved) “happily ever after” for Xion and Boone, I look forward to the continued resolution of Xion’s relationship with his brothers and extended family and how that plays out amidst the future romantic dynamics teased here. As always, Eveland doesn’t shy away from the darker (and realistic) aspects of the world they explore in their writing, and while some moments are certainly painful, they are never gratuitous and always handled with care. Eveland has quickly become a one-click author for me, no matter the genre, and I anxiously await more in this (and other) series.
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:
- The Silent Prince (Sun and Moon #1) by L. Eveland
- All I Survive (All’s Fair #3) by Abrianna Denae