Note: Reviews are listed alphabetically by author’s last name.
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I’ll Tell You What You Are
Cara Dee
Dee delivers another short, sweet, and sexy take on the intersection of kink and real life as these two best friends finally give a relationship a shot…in the most intense way possible. The weight of Reid and Max’s history is present in every scene without ever getting bogged down by exposition. While many novellas end on a solid “happily for now,” I have full faith in this particular happily ever after between such solid friends, no matter how their kink dynamic evolves.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author. Originally reviewed for the Naughty November charity anthology.
Bound Together
Abrianna Denae & Leigh Kenzie (Crimson Bonds #7)
One of my favorite things about this series is that the intensity doesn’t lessen, but it does shift. Each developing drama hits different characters differently, and the authors continue to create character and relationship development that is simultaneously unexpected and makes perfect sense. By this point in the saga, our two original family “patriarchs” have been brought down a few pegs. This does nothing to “fix” anything, nor does healing seem possible while an external threat continues to affect all three families. However, the new configurations of the Amatos, Martellis, and De Lucas are also a fascinating blend of one whole that I thoroughly enjoy seeing support each other. Denae and Kenzie keep promising that each book is darker than the previous, but darkness comes in many forms. Carter is still the only character to bring me to tears, but I’ve definitely felt the emotional effect of the numerous other intersecting journeys. As always, I look forward to being surprised by whatever happens next.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review version of this book from the authors.
Burden of Proof
Kate Hawthorne (Club Rapture: Risk Aware #2)
Kate Hawthorne continues to be in the top list of authors I recommend for truly excellent kink romance; this book is another wonderful example why. Her characters are well developed, which extends to their identity as it relates to power exchange. The simple titles of “Dominant” and “submissive” may exist, but they are equally complex when attached to the “real” people who populate Hawthorne’s stories. Lincoln and Hunter’s origin story as a couple is equally intriguing, and I had a blast reading along with bated breath as they figured out what they were to each other…and how to share their relationship with those closest to them. Nothing about this book is simple, except for the pure enjoyment I had while reading it. I recommend reading at least the previous book in this particular series to fully appreciate the depth of the family Hawthorne is slowly building here, but I also loved the appearances of previous characters who are both fun to revisit and meaningful in their connections to the current heroes.
Love at Frost Sight
Charlie Novak
I recently recommended this author to someone because her books are excellent at combining “fluff” with genuine conflict and character development. That is to say, Novak never sacrifices solid storytelling for easy reading. I’ve also never watched a dance competition show in my life, but Novak easily immerses me in the world and culture through the eyes of Nico and Toby. These men aren’t quite opposites-attract, but they have a bit of work to do to learn each other’s core through the surface personalities they’ve donned as protective armor for so long. Luckily, their dance partnership provides the perfect dose of forced proximity for them to have the time to get to know each other (with the added help of delicious baked goods). The bones of this story could have worked at any time of year, but the holiday atmosphere adds another layer of sweetness that heightens the overall sweetness of a book that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review version of this book from the author.
The Long Game
Rachel Reid (Game Changers #6)
This sequel to Heated Rivalry is another excellent example of a nontraditional romance arc. We know that Shane and Ilya are together for the long haul by the end of the previous book, even if they cannot yet be open about their relationship. This book delves into how each man deals with the burden of that secrecy. Reid threads a fine line between creating conflict for and between Shane without ever once letting me worry that they might break up, which I appreciated. The “twist” that changes things for them is also a wonderful balance of reality clashing with conscious and unconscious choice for each man. I actually read this book twice before writing this review: once before and once after watching season 1 of the television adaptation of the previous book in this series. I didn’t expect the re-read to hit me as hard emotionally the second time, but I definitely cried again at the same point–while reading on an airplane, which added an interesting layer to the experience! (IFKYK) The last 2 months of becoming a fan of this entire world has been a fun, joyful, and most importantly, shared, experience that I needed during such an otherwise dark time in the real world. I’m ecstatic that we’ll be getting more of Shane and Ilya, both on page and on screen.