Och, Ness!: Wet 'n' Wild Book 1, Eryn Hawk

This is a new take on a mythical creature shifter romance for me.  Not truly unique, but a slightly different take that I thought was interesting.  The connection Gray had with Nessie and with Hamish was definitely a draw and one of my favorite moments was when Gray checked in with Hamish about their status.  It spoke to something awkward that he wasn't aware of but an honesty and genuine feeling for both entities that was very sweet.

There was something missing though, and I think it was in the actual relationship evolution.  Going from one side of the spectrum to the other, "we have a connection, but let's not pursue it, but maybe we should make the most of our time together, and yet not spend a lot of time together", was an inconsistency and a vacillation that detracted from the relationship growing.  I became more interested in Gray with Nessie more than Gray with Hamish despite them being the same creature.

Ultimately this was a cute story with an interesting take and some good spicy times.  It was the first story I've read by this author and I think I'd be open to more from them.

*$3.49 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Under a Greek Twilight: Love Abroad Series, Jax Stuart

Joshua was actually very real-feeling to me.  He was hurt, struggling, frustrated, sad, lonely amongst friends, yearning, and hopeful...all of his feelings were on the page and I believed them.  What he found with Lysander was definitely story/movie magic that I play out in my head for myself but could never believe would happen to me.  Lysander was a steady presence and I liked his honesty with both himself and Joshua.  They really were a good match.

What detracted was the repeating drama with Lysander's ex.  Ryan was a bit predictable so that was kind of expected, as was his fling-turned fiance-turned scorned lover...  The unnecessary road blocks were manufactured angst that didn't really belong.  There were other things that could have played that role just fine that were far more organic.  But what really didn't belong at all was Ryan's ridiculously petty confrontation at their new job.  It was out of left field, did nothing for the characters or the story, gave no kind of closure, and was just purely annoying.

Altogether this was a really cute story that I could see reading again, so long as I skip the cafeteria scece.  Well, maybe just parts of it, because the players really showed their true colors and they were bright and beautiful.  Overall it was a truly nice way to pass an hour or two.

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

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!

Little Pleasures: Paddle Creek College Book 3, HJ Welch

Xander was in a real fix and there really wasn't anything he could do about it.  I appreciated that he had a wonderful brother and a fantastic little sister to give him support, but it seemed nothing could stop the mental torture and anguish his step-mother was determined to put him through.

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Xander even such a long time after reading the book.  He started off discouraged and distraught, his love of dinosaurs and basic sweetness came through, and he was at home with Ruben, but I just didn't connect with him.  I saw him, but I didn't feel him.

Ruben was much the same for me.  He was a good Daddy for Xander.  I absolutely appreciated how he introduced his desires and their possible dynamic to Xander; that was probably the thing that made me like him more than anything else.  Adding in how protective of him he was toward Xander's step-mother and Ruben really fit the role of the protector Daddy with a caring streak a mile and a half wide.  But there were little things that just didn't sit right with me.  His many, many assurances to Xander, and to himself, that he was just doing a favor for Xander's brother did nothing to endear me to him.

Speaking to the introduction of the HIV+ thing...  I'm of two minds and one is slightly more dominant.  Part of me feels a bit icky about it because there's spicy time without external protection and Ruben bringing it up was a minor announcement with a question of understanding, both of which were acknowledged by Xander with understanding and acceptance, and then the issue was dropped.  No explanation beyond that at all.  I'm not 100% sure I liked that.

However, and this is a big however, I feel that it was complete in its sparseness.  It was addressed adequately for understanding and consent and it wasn't made to be a giant elephant in the room.  The way it was done was simple and I can see it as removing the stigma of the disease when the reality of it now in a modern, western society with all the new medications and treatments is that it doesn't have to be the slow, awful killer that would have those affected be like the lepers before them.

So overall I think the story was sweet.  It wasn't my favorite by this author at all, but it was a nice read.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

List Me with Your Best Shot: Best Men Book 2, Isla Olsen

I'm generally a die hard fan of this author's books because they can blend snark, banter, spicy times, and romance all into a short book.  But here it felt off for me.  And that's not because of the typos and formatting issues, of which there were many, but unless the book is unreadable because of them they are never a reason for a lower rating or poor review.  This was purely because there was so much animosity, arrogance, antagonizing, denials, and almost a feel of coercion, that dominated so much of the book before any feels or complicated stuff entered the picture.

There was a family issue with Jack that really should have been a bit more settled, and not just by Alistor's assistance and support later in the book as a sweet aside kind of thing, but by Jack.  He needed to find his own inner strength and acceptance.  Without that he felt incomplete.

Alistor's deal was more on-page in how he went from needing all the extra to just needing Jack, and that was fine, but again, the actual change was mentioned in an aside from Jack's question rather than really seeing that evolve.

And the confrontations between them with misunderstandings and hurt feelings...those were brushed off with punishingly pleasurable distractions.  The biggest frustratingly unsatisfying confrontation was the reunion bit.  Initiated by the "wrong" character, and resolved with more spicy time and not given any time to settle.  The epilogue was necessary but was also ended so very abruptly.

I should probably give this book only two stars for all those issues, but there were some very sweet moments, the possessive bits, the absolutely incredible spice, and Xavier calling Alastor out, that made me bump it up to a three.  It could have been better, it should have been better.  I wish it had been what I've come to love and expect.

*$4.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!