Clueless: Squad Goals Book 1, Willow Thomas

Lexi is the favorite of the duo in this one for me.  With his pining it was natural for him to brush off many flirty attempts by Ryder in the beginning and I can't say I was a fan of the way it came off as Ryder playing with him before they actually said all the words.  But I think it was Lexi's way of being present, being able to see Ryder, and his whole way of being there for his friends, family, their struggles, joys, and confrontations.  His whole being drew me in.  Even when he was being a little dumb about Ryder.

I wish Ryder were truly his match.  When he was on and good, he was good, but there were a bunch of moments that he both nearly and really did stuff it up that I couldn't love him.  I liked him, sure, because he did have times where his utter joy in everything that is Lexi brought him closer to the best version of himself.  What I didn't like was how he was so absolutely clueless about everything that he hurt Lexi, seemingly toyed with him, and then continued to almost punish him because he couldn't really open his eyes and get his head out of where the sun doesn't shine.

The resolution was a bit rushed, but with a shorter, low-angst story I don't think I can fault that too much, it just needed to hold more weight than it did.  It definitely felt like a young college kid book with some of its sophmoric humor, but again, with the setting being in college, it's not a true fault, it just made the book seem a little sillier than it could be.  None of those things are truly negative things, just observations.  Lexi was the star and his group of amazing friends are absolutely the draw to the series that I will most assuredly return to.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Queen's Ransom: Fog City Book 4, Layla Reyne

This is actually my first FF story and because it's an author I adore I had no second-guessing or hesitations when diving in.  I've already come to love these women throughout the previous stories in this series and I needed to know their story.

Something to keep in mind before reading...  This isn't exactly something you can read without having read the previous stories in the series because the interconnection, connected plots, danger, players, side characters...just everything, is just so much that if you started with Queen's Ransom it'd be very confusing trying to keep everyone straight (or not so straight as the personal preferences run the wonderful gamut of the Kinsey scale here in this family).

Helena and Cee could really have used a hundred more pages to delve deeper into the romantic part of this story since it wasn't a trilogy like Chris and Hawes got, but what we did get was both sweet and dramatic enough to fit well into the series and give us more angst that we'll need to really yearn for Brax and Holt's story.

Both women were passionate, caring, and while there was a considerable amount of hesitation and back and forth by Helena, it wasn't without merit and did get an adequate resolution at the end.  Cee also showed her mettle and she is every bit as wonderful as we've come to know before now.  I can't wait to rejoin their family and see their conclusion as every one of the Madigans get their HEA.

*4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

Everyone leaves.
Love is risky business when you're an assassin.
Helena Madigan has lost loved ones to the family business before. Now that she's in charge, she's determined never to risk her heart again.
Except every time Celia enters the room, she takes Helena's breath away.

But the one time someone stays...

Celia Perri likes to be helpful.
She just wants to run the family auto shop, raise her kids, and help her brother plan his wedding.
But when a drive-by shooting targets the garage, Celia's simple life is upended.
Now ensconced within the Madigan family, there's no escaping Helena, the blonde bombshell she's been crushing on for months.

It could cost her everything.
As the Madigans investigate, Celia witnesses their love and loyalty up close.
And their business.
Instead of being afraid, she sees a place for herself among them. She could be a confidant and caregiver--if only Helena would stop pushing her away. If only she'd admit their mutual attraction might lead to more.
And if only someone would stop shooting at them long enough to find out.

*Queen's Ransom is the fourth book in the Fog City romantic suspense series. It can be read as a stand-alone but is best enjoyed after reading books one through three of the series, in fact, it's definitely my opinion that you're taking a bit of a risk starting here instead of with Prince of Killers.

About Layla

Layla Reyne is the author of the Fog City, Agents Irish and Whiskey, Trouble Brewing, and Changing Lanes series.  A Carolina Tar Heel who now calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, Layla enjoys weaving her bi-coastal experiences into her stories, along with adrenaline-fueled suspense and heart-pounding romance.

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Huntsman: Fox Hollow Zodiac Book 1, Morgan Brice

A fox and a wolf, fated mates and good men, who never would have met if not for the danger of a hunter of lore used to scare children into keeping the shifter secret among a world of humans.  There was so much to enjoy in this story from the world to the chemistry between mates, side characters with loyalty and personality as well as tact, a self-sacrificing MC that is NOT TSTL, and a subtly sweet way of expressing grieving and healing from it.  With a strong start to this series I know we'll be in for a romantic and supernaturally chaotic ride that fits right in with this author's style.

Liam ran away from danger in the way that foxes do and I liked his character, the way he was invested in his job and was eager to make friends in a town he knew would become his home.  I'm glad he didn't fight his mating instinct though truly appreciated the way he tempered that desire with honesty and caution.  Just because they were mates didn't mean they had to rush into a claiming.  Sometimes we get the fated-mate = insta-love situation in these trope-based stories, but in this story we got something that used human sensibilities and a very believable progression...up to a point, of course.

In addition to being interesting on his own as a part of a relationship with Russ, Liam became my favorite when he dove head-first into the search for the Huntsman, both in determination and in logic.  Too many times we see one MC feeling guilty and then running headlong into danger with nary a thought to using their brain and embodying the TSTL heroines we see in bad horror B-movies.  Instead Liam tempers that guilt with intelligence, precaution, and common sense.

Russ was good in a more subtle way.  He was dealing with years of grief over the loss of his husband, though not his fated mate.  Attempting to reconcile those two types of love gave us a mature and sweet evolution for Russ as he came to accept his fated mate while balancing not forgetting his former husband and also not letting it be a reason to avoid Fate's guidance.

The overall danger that surrounded everyone and everything was pretty well hidden despite having predictable parts that moved the story along.  While having the villain doing the cliche monologuing wasn't exactly awesome, the rest was, as was the introduction of other nefarious foes that may come calling as well as other characters that are sure to get their own stories.  I'm really looking forward to watching the series grow and evolve as we get other stories from the little town's residents and newcomers.

*$5.99 on Amazon

A grieving wolf. A hunted fox. Fated mates, thrown together by chance, and the looming threat of a fabled Huntsman who might tear them apart forever.

Fox shifter Liam Reynard is running from a killer. He uproots his life to find sanctuary in Fox Hollow, deep in the Adirondack Forest in New York.

When his car breaks down, sexy wolf shifter Russ Lowe comes to the rescue, and one touch makes it clear they’re fated mates. Neither man was looking for love, and both are still mending from past heartbreak. When mysterious fires and disappearances threaten Fox Hollow, Liam fears the killer is hot on his trail. Can he protect the town and his fated mate from the evil hunting him, or will an ex-lover’s betrayal cost Liam everything he loves?

Off Plan: Whispering Key Book 1, May Archer

Mason was surly, difficult, and completely misreading nearly everything to the point of his own misery.  I was immediately charmed by him and his vulnerable churlishness.  I just knew there would be more to his story and a huge part that he was missing and I was determined to find out just what he wasn't capable of seeing.  

Finn was stuck up, judgey, and stubborn.  I was less charmed by him and his arrogant self-righteousness.  He became interesting however, as he discovered what he truly wanted out of life and where he felt most like his truest, happiest self.

The story was fanciful while also feeling real.  There were so many amusing characters that made their tiny town so interesting.  It seemed like everyone was so starved for more that they were happy to get caught up in Big Rafe's big dreams.  Only Mason seemed to see the dark cloud and blind to the silver lining.  Finn was determined to find the silver lining if only to prove that he's not a failure at yet another thing.  Together they softened their edges, gave them a sense of belonging and acceptance, and pushed one another to see more than what was before them.  Their adventure and even the dramatic discovery was suitably chaotic and fit right into all the shenanigans and personalities that surrounded Finn and Mason.

It took a little while for the story to really gain traction, but once it did I was all in.  I found it difficult to not get sucked into everyone and everything.  I'm really looking forward to more from this series and felt we were left off in a good place with good people that are very worthy of all the excitement that's surely coming their way.

*$5.99 on Amazon

I came to Whispering Key for a job. That was all. To show the world Mason Bloom could be more than a small-town doctor living a medium-sized life.

Private doctor on a swanky island with a posh resort? Check.

But from the moment I set foot on this island, nothing went according to plan.

I didn’t expect to find the resort falling apart.
I didn’t expect the people here to be so charming and crazy and welcoming and real.
I didn’t expect legends about shipwrecks and buried treasure.
And I definitely didn’t expect Fenn Reardon, the island’s incredibly attractive, incredibly infuriating, incredibly male resident tour guide, to become the one person I can’t live without.

Thirty-five’s a bit late for me to realize I'm not straight, though, right? And I have big dreams that won’t fit on Whispering Key, anyway—dreams that do not include tying myself to a tiny island stuck in the past or to a man who refuses to think about the future.

My head’s telling me I have to leave Whispering Key…
My heart’s telling me there might be treasure on this island after all.

The Witch's Familiar: Familiar Mates Book 1, T.J. Nichols

Loved the premise, wished for more answers and believable romance.

With a supremely interesting premise I eagerly dove into the story.  Getting to know Jude in the beginning was an okay way to start out, but besides realizing that he was immature in many ways and really milquetoast, there were a whole lot of questions brought up with the very first chapter, most of which get zero answers and only serves to set the scene for some shady circumstances and players that may or may not come to any kind of a conclusion in the series itself.

The best part of the story was the confrontation with the mystery creature.  Those animals were fascinating and I really, really wished there was more on-page about the research into what the culprit could be, what they can do, and suggested solutions for them after realizing that eradication may not be the best idea that came from Jude, not the mysterious and dubious council that sent him on a mission intended to fail.  This story really needed more of any kind of procedure, findings, showing character's intelligence, and conviction.

As for the romance, well, I can't say there really was one.  While the motel scene was jarring in a unique way, I can't say there was anything endearing about the individuals or the couple.  Both men were romantically challenged and a true relationship never got a chance to really build at all before difficult decisions were made and we get to an HFN that didn't feel believable.  I wish so hard that there had been as much to love about the actual story as there was in the synopsis.  The next story in the series has an interesting premise too, but in all honesty, I don't think I'll be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

He can hold lightning in his hand, but will love slip through his fingers?

Jude Sullivan has one more chance to prove he isn’t a danger to the paranormal community. If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human.

As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch.

Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy.

After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to quit fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again.

Better Red: Ever After, NY Book 1, Tara Lain

Creating a new take on a well-known and oft-recreated fairy tale is no easy task.  Little Red Riding Hood, the Woodsman, the Big, Bad Wolf, Grandma...all of them are represented here and there are some unique things that make this an intriguing premise, but I have to say that I think there was an issue with a little too much ambition.  With a bit more streamlining and redirected focus on the romance and character growth I showed up for this would have been an awesome story.

The model contract was something we saw coming with all the emphasis on Red's beauty and while I was glad we got a reality check with the near-immediate introduction to the far harsher side of that world, I was disappointed that we were left so confused.  He's awesome at all the improv, the showmanship, the presentation, the snark, the beauty...so, is he going to find a way to model and have Mark?  With so many visits and detailed experiences showing just how amazing he is in that world it felt like we were leading up to something that we didn't get anywhere close to getting.

Red's intelligence was what really got me, but there were very few flashes of it that I felt it was a wasted opportunity.  And then there's his youth.  It was incredibly apparent in his lack of decision-making, gullibility, easily-influenced nature, and his lack of a backbone.  There were a lot of awesome things that could have been done with his character, but I ended up feeling quite underwhelmed.  Lots of things he does are completely understandable and excusable if you consider his age, I just wasn't wowed.

We focus so much on Red's conflict with the modeling world and his intense attraction to Wolfe, his wilting under his grandmother's plans for him, and how often he completely forgets about Mark, his supposed true love interest, that there's almost no time left for developing the actual romance.  I ached for Mark though I felt he was made to be so supportive and understanding that he just became a doormat.  I came for the romance and got very little of that.  I'm hoping so hard that the series improves because this author is usually absolutely fantastic.

I loved the side characters with names that hint heavily about which stories will follow in this series and I loved the potential between Red and Mark.  And the two "magical" characters really captured my attention as well so it's highly likely that I'll be back for more from this town...maybe we'll even get to see how things are going with Mark and Red when we return.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wolfe?

Red Ridley knows he could have a happy life in Ever After, New York, waiting on tables at Mom and Pop’s, making numbers add up for clients, studying business at the junior college – and maybe, just maybe having the man of his dreams, Mark Woods, the young owner of the local garage. One problem. Red’s gorgeous. Amazing looking. Totally unique. And no one who sees him – especially his grandmother, who’s his biggest promoter -- believes he won’t end up on the cover of a magazine. Gran’s dreams come true when famous New York agency owner, Brock Wolfe, shows up in Ever After and sets his sights on Red.

Red doesn’t want to leave Mark, but Gran has given everything to raise him, and the money he could make would give her a happy, easy life. Then, the news gets worse – Gran could lose her house -- so Red breaks down and goes to New York where the Wolfe shows just how bad he can be. Faced with a fate worse than death, Red needs a hero or needs to be one. Is there any chance to live happily in Ever After?

Risk Assessment: Cabrini Law Book 1, Parker St. John

It's always hard to begin again whether after a significant breakup, past mistakes, or whatever seems to drag you down or hold you back.  For Elliot he's staring middle age in the face and has completely changed his life to reflect what he feels in his soul is the right thing to do.  And for Lucas it's coming face to face with his past and the fear of success now that he's finally staring true freedom in the face.  Together their road to a new beginning is rocky, but worth it when they let go of pride and strive for more than they feel they deserve.

I loved the premise of the story and felt that we were on pretty good ground from the get-go.  I wasn't warming to Lucas right away because his facade was so forced and yet solid at the same time.  He seemed like he truly enjoyed playing with others in a way that bothered me, like he needed to feel power in his powerless life so he was intentionally a d-bag sometimes.  Not a fan.  He did come around, thankfully, it just took a couple rough starts for it to stick.

Elliot was far more likable and relatable from the beginning.  His meltdown later in the story was something I could see coming, but the actual details of the meltdown felt out of place.  I didn't believe that that's what his big issue was, he was all-of-a-sudden afraid of something that he willingly sought out and I just didn't see that as something that would cause what happened.  I'm glad it was Maksim that could give him the words he needed to pull his head out, but I still had such high hopes for Elliot that I found myself disappointed.  The interactions with his ex were unpredictable and not exactly in good ways, though I will say that the final one was necessary to give Elliot perspective.

I wish the person who let go of his pride first was the right one.  It was the other MC instead and it just didn't feel right.  To say I was annoyed that the person who broke down and apologized first was the one who needed to receive the apology more than they needed to give it would be quite an understatement.  It did force honesty and something deeper from the other man, which was good, I just thought it was a bit backward.  The epilogue, however, was a fantastic way to end things, that dreams and hopes came full circle to give both men what their souls craved.  Without that the story would have suffered.  It was a really great ending for the men I had grown attached to.

*$3.99 on Amazon

All they have left is their pride.

Elliot Smith was once a hotshot attorney, but those days are long gone. A midlife crisis of conscience has left him with shattered confidence, abandoned by his former friends and scraping by at a legal aid clinic. When a smoking hot bad boy rescues him from the side of the road, Elliot is sure he doesn’t stand a chance.

After a misspent youth boosting cars, Lucas Kelly runs his own garage and is finally getting his life back on track. He isn’t about to risk everything by daring to hope for something more, especially not with a man so far above his pay-grade.

The heat between them is enough to have them questioning everything they thought they knew about themselves. But is explosive chemistry enough to keep them together when Elliot’s career threatens to drive them apart?

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 39

  

• Farrell and the Fake Boyfriend: Book 1, Lisa Clemente
• Running Off: Rainier Family Book 5, Ashton Cade
• Stealing His Heart: Nox Bay Pack Book 1, Connor Crowe

I really love the fake-situation-real-romance trope, especially when the honest feelings become obvious earlier rather than later.  This had an interesting start in that the MC's were virtual strangers prior to the agreement.  What was less appealing was Scott's situation.  It felt like it tainted all the tenderness they were sharing because he was never forthright in his feelings for Farrell once they started changing.  Instead, we got more of him declaring that he was working for the attentions of someone else.  Disappointing.  Farrell felt a bit pitiful, actually.  I thought he was less soft and shy and more weak and self-sacrificing.  The bright spots were really the tender moments of touching, connecting, and the end.  Farrell was right to make Scott think about what he truly wanted and I really liked the humorous and more playful honesty that brought them back together for their promise of a happy future.  3.5 stars.

The prodigal son meets the stalwart son; both needing what the other man offers yet so afraid of what they might lose that they almost give up the best possible future for both of them.  Parris actually rubbed me the wrong way right from the start.  He's so up his own...well, so self-involved that he's choosing to be blind to everything good about his hometown and refuses to take responsibility for just about everything negative in his life.  By the end of the story I did like how he softened and learned to love himself and appreciate his home, but I don't think enough attention and page time was given to his "ah ha!" moment.  We spent so long reading about how much he dislikes everything about Umberland that his turnaround isn't truly believable.

It's no wonder Caleb keeps pushing him away despite how much his heart wants to grab on and never let go.  Caleb was a bit too much of a martyr for me, though I did prefer him over Parris.  He was so faithful, so loving, so giving and to watch Parris do things he did and then turn around as if his negative actions should be overlooked was disappointing.  Caleb's emotional distance after a while was warranted and I did believe and like his personal turnaround which led to a really wonderful reconciliation.  The epilogue was sweet and perfect for the couple and very necessary for the story to end on a great note.  3 stars.

I'm all for insta-love between fated mates and virtual insta-pregnancy in mpreg stories.  None of that bothers me in the least.  What I do hope for, though, is that there's some kind of connection, some kind of personal education between the characters to build on that shifter-mating-fate thing that gets them together in the first place.  Felix is pretty fantastic, I will say.  He's honorable, vulnerable, immensely strong inside, crafty, loyal, caring...he's just all kinds of great.  As for his mate?  Well, I honestly know almost nothing about him.  We get a lot of superficial information as to who he is and what his responsibilities are, but any more than that and how much he admires and yearns for Felix and we've got pretty much nothing.  I'm really hoping that as the series continues we'll get more about him, even on the periphery of the other characters' stories.  3.5 stars.

The Holeshot, Lynn Michaels

A surprise on a birthday starts something neither Davey nor Tyler expected, and with the volatile natures of those around them, it might not be something they can keep if they aren't willing to fight for it.  Insta-love and insta-lust abound in this story and with their youth and adrenaline-based careers it's only natural that they would get mixed up before they create something solid.  There are plenty of great things about Davey and Tyler together, but there are also drawbacks that tempered my enjoyment of the story.  Overall, it was a good read with interesting characters and a hard journey to attain both love and success, to fight for their happily-ever-after.

What I enjoyed was the focused and determined commitment Davey had.  He had that for two things, his sport and his heart.  Despite all the drama that could, and did, surround the romance, he was all in from the beginning with Tyler.  He knew that finding that special connection with someone who respected his career as well as him personally was priceless.  What I respected about him was that he wasn't the "I'd give up everything for you!" type, he was more about doing what was necessary to move forward despite the obstacles to earn and have everything.

Tyler, however, was a bit more mercurial.  His youth was more pronounced in his tendency to react rather than think things through and make the more mature decisions.  He was far more reactionary than I liked and I didn't connect with him as much as I did with Davey.  His ability to see the difficulties and be a bit more of a voice of reason often tempered Davey's more "damn the consequences" attitude and I did appreciate the balance he brought to the relationship.

Including the managers' relationship and the secondary conflict with the new sponsor's liaison felt unnecessary and often distracted from the core issues Davey and Tyler faced with their relationship.  I didn't mind adding in the M/F sideline relationship because it gave the whole group a more invested, family feel, but it was the additional conflict that drew the focus away.  The anti-gay and abusive actions of those in their sport were incredibly disappointing on a human level, but were appropriate to the story and didn't feel overdone.  I enjoyed the story and think the sport itself was integrated in a fantastic way along with the secondary characters being quite interesting;  it's a good start to the series.

*$2.99 on Amazon

In the world of Supercross, taking the holeshot means one racer leaps ahead of the crowd and into first, leaving the rest of the pack behind. If Supercross racer Davey McAllister knows anything, it's how to take the holeshot. When the hot rising star mechanic, Tyler Whitmore, shows up in his bed, Davey does just that. But, dating a competitor's mechanic threatens to blow his ride if anyone finds out. With the fear of losing his sponsors, he has to keep his love life completely under cover, but Davey is in deep and wants to tell the world how much he loves Tyler. 

Tyler Whitmore wants to be out of the closet, but dating the competition is a death sentence for his career. Overprotective of Davey's reputation and his own dreams, Tyler refuses to commit to his lover and is afraid of falling hard. Will they ever be able to find their way through the Premiere racing league pitfalls and acknowledge their love?

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 34

  

• Kiss Off: Valentine's Inc. Book 2, Michelle Frost
• The Seer: New Vampire Disorder Book 7, Marie Johnston
• Rebel Ink: Wanted, An Outlaw Anthology, Daphne Loveling

A growly Jackson doesn't know what to make of the stunning, effervescent Westley.  With a meddling grandmother and open hearts these two men make a connection that was handled really well.  They could feel something between them and didn't let angst, misunderstandings, or miscommunication get between them.  While keeping things professional during the contract's duration they learned quite a lot about one another thus forming a foundation that spelled all kinds of solid believability for their future.  Even when Jackson gets a visit from his past there were no second thoughts on his part, he believed in and fully embraced what he was building with Westley.  Even though West had his moment of insecurity, he didn't behave childishly, he waited until they were able to discuss things, even if he guessed that he'd get the short end of the stick.  This was a fluffy, sweet, sexy story between men who definitely needed one another.  4.5 stars.

A gift of sight should be pretty obvious in its benefits and uses.  But since Isabelle doesn't receive prophecies or visions that are easily interpreted, she's sequestered in the compound and has limited access to anyone socially.  And then she gets a vision of someone like her that needs help, a child that will be used for evil and selfish gain if she can't get there in time to help.  Politics and Isabelle's isolation have stunted both her personal growth as well as her relationships so watching her lead the expedition is both awkward and amusing at times.

Her ever-present bodyguard is released from his position and having done nothing but guard Isabelle for a century, he's determined to remain by her side even if he has no clue what his purpose is anymore.  As Scurn helps Isabelle he gets an eye-opening adventure that shows him how truly good he is inside and just who and what he wants for his future.  There's definitely a lot of chemistry between Isabelle and Scurn and while it feels a bit juvenile (as in youthfully naive), it's definitely steamy.  As Isabelle faces the council she makes some interesting realizations that will be really, really exciting if things play out the way I hope they will with her new role.  I really enjoyed watching these two characters mature and grow over the course of this short story in a world that I'm completely crazy about.  4 stars.

Six is hiding from a dangerous ex and while she's no stranger to picking up stakes when her gut tells her it's time, there's something about her current situation that makes her want to stay.  Maybe the sexy biker that comes in for ink on the regular has something to do with it...  I really liked their chemistry and the slower way they built something to keep them coming back to one another.  When Six finally gave in to that chemistry they really set things on fire.  As they learned to trust one another they built a pretty good foundation to support something lasting.  The drama surrounding them was sufficiently crazy to warrant big declarations, tense moments, and quite a bit of action.  Revealing what they meant to one another with more than words, namely a tattoo, was so perfect for the couple.  But the best part was the tenderness they showed one another and all the heart a sexy tatted biker laid bare for Six.  4 stars.

Men of Hidden Creek Season 3

 
 

This was surprisingly low on the coming-out angst.  I was honestly expecting a lot more vacillation and denials from Vince than we got.  What we saw instead was an earnest man who was willing to accept something new and different about himself with very little shame or inner turmoil.  The passion he shared with Koby was sweet and a little hot but nothing to write home about because most of the story was spent educating us about labels and dividing the allies from the extremely homophobic responses.  Koby was an anticipated character for me and he did live up to the kind, supportive, creative, and straightforward person we caught glimpses of previously.  Together he and Vince were more sweet than anything as was the response to their announcements.  Overall this was a nice story that had a quick and low angst build-up to a genuine relationship.  3.5 stars.

FREE on KU!

Another relatively easy acceptance of another side of their sexuality has the men of Milestone at the low side of the angst scale.  While I think their relationship's "conclusion" was a bit rushed, their progression was believable.  I liked how they built a friendship and a mutually beneficial arrangement that included using both men's talents to help one another and, ultimately, allow both men to realize their individual potential as well as their potential together.  This was such a win for me that I didn't even mind the overly dramatic and then quickly deflated "reunion".  4 stars.

FREE on KU!

When we first met Zach he was a man who yearned for love so hard that he got walked all over by a manipulative pretender and my heart ached for him.  What he finds with Shane has all the makings of something really amazing, but he's so gun-shy that he almost blows it.  I found his almost paranoid hesitance distracting and frustrating most of the time.  His focus on doing what's right, doing his job, and being honest with Shane, however, just about redeems him.  He grew by the end of the story and made me feel confident that he really could get it together enough to be a good partner for Shane.  Shane was stalwart right from the start and deserved someone who could support him and accept all the goodness in his heart.  I was glad the drama was appropriate for each man and it suited the story as well as getting them both to the point of crumbling or standing tall in the face of adversity.  While one just about crumbled, he found his inner strength and confidence enough to work out a very sweet ending for both of them.  3.5 stars.

FREE on KU!

Micah and Brandon dance around their chemistry in a way that's actually quite sweet.  We know the predicament they're in and know where they'll end up, but the journey to that point is one of a lot of complicated feels, more feels than I expected.  I liked Brandon's honesty at the outset of the change in their dynamic as well as his concern for his daughter.  Micah's yearning for love was endearing as well.  What didn't work for them was what frustrated me the most and that was the complete lack of communication.  And then Micah's refusal to apologize enough for his actions, no matter how much Brandon overreacted, was disappointing to say the least.  This couple had the potential to be one of my favorites and the side cast was both overwhelming and wonderful as well.  The superstars were actually the brothers who gave the words of wisdom, the support, and the kicks in the bums both men needed to get their heads on straight.  I was set up for such greatness in the beginning and while the ending was full of tenderness and vulnerable honesty, the apology wasn't two-sided and the individuals' indignation soured all those wonderful warm things I felt prior to those moments.  3.5 stars.

FREE on KU!