Light My Fire: GSC in Love Book 1, Katy Manz

This was just...okay.  I had really high hopes because dragons, I mean, it's got dragons!  But alas, dragons were not enough to make me love this story.  The dragons were the best part, especially Zander, with their complicated, potentially tragic family situations, the love and support, and the lack of pride that could have destroyed them all.

But then you've got Rayne who seemed to be a total boss, in control of so much, an incredible magic wielder, and fierce.  He should have been the best partner to Zander.  I generally love an omega who doesn't fit the stereotypical role and doesn't want to, but here he was so disdainful of those who chose what he feared.  Yes, he got over it, but he was so arrogant, so unbending, so narrow sighted when things got tough.  I wanted to see him be humbled, not just come to the conclusion that he needed to do better.  There was a dream and I truly needed to see that dream because days later and I'm still mad at Rayne for doing what he did to Zander.

Overall this was a good story, not a bad one, but I just don't know that I will put book two high on my TBR list.  Maybe, maybe because Rayne won't be the lead and there will still be my dragons I'll give it a chance...  This was my first book by this author so I think I will give it a chance, I just wasn't impressed by one of the male leads.

Oh, but the best scene ever, the one that totally stabbed me right in the feels, yeah, that might definitely make me come back for more.  Zander's father's immediate reaction to his mate's distress?  That was pure gold with so much love and so much of a 180 from the male we met near the beginning.  Beautiful moment.  So yeah, maybe I will read book two sooner rather than later...

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU!

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 50

• Love You So Hard: Love You So Book 1, Tara Lain
• Fate's Final Chapter: A Collection of Strays Book 6, Toby Wise
• Night Skies and Galaxy Leggings, Nikole Knight

While we didn't get to know the men a whole lot, less of Jessie than of Craig, we got enough of a sense of rightness between them, that they were the right person for one another.  I ached for Craig and even teared up when everything in his life seemed to be falling apart and seeing him find his forever with Jessie was very sweet.  Though the individual growth where he finds his courage and confidence isn't complete or even completely solid by the time the story ends, it is on an upward trajectory.

His Charlie Brown thoughts got to be a bit too much for me at times and there was very little sense at all of who Jessie is other than a good match for Craig because he's so complementary.  But despite the cheese and simplistic characters, I did like the overall feel of the story. I also liked the words a certain boss had for him and that those that needed their comeuppance got it.  Very low angst, this short story was full of sweetness, fluffy feels, and some spice to balance it all out.  3.5 stars

Such a sweet ending, a great way to close out the series of all the unlikely yet perfect pairings.  Being guided by Fate to find their fated mates and to bring life into the pack lands as well as the heart of their adopted father, each group gets one final moment to show us just how wonderful it is to find the being(s) meant for your soul.  True to each character there were twin shenanigans, steamy moments, tender feels, and all the good stuff we've come to expect from each and every book in the series.  Along with some truly interesting female alpha explanations that I'd always been curious about, there were snippets from each grouping that rounded out and solidified every good thing I've felt over the course of following all their journeys.  4 stars.

Tender, heartbreaking, and triumphant.  

Casey and Andy are so incredibly young and only starting out in life. On their own they're so very different and yet there's a common thread of admiration, yearning, and discovery that ties them together. There's also an attraction that's more than physical and while they navigate a mostly homophobic community and their changing feelings they find that young love isn't enough when life comes calling.

I enjoyed the story so much and when the heartbreak came I teared up knowing that it was such a difficult moment for both of them and cursing the fact that there were only a few more pages in the novella left. The epilogue was short and wonderful and I wanted to say I didn't like the book because it was so short, but that would be a disservice to effective writing just because I wasn't ready to let these young people go. I want more.  4 stars.

Hunter's Moon: Alpha Triplets Book 1, Minerva Howe

This story definitely made the most of the tropes.  Fated mates with instant attraction and aggression toward the interlopers and insta-love being at the forefront of those tropes.  I'd say this story was a little light on the plot and the depth, but if you can get past all the gratuitous sexy times, you do find the bits of a plot that rescues omegas in danger as well as a set of alpha triplets that are as unique as they are the same that have a lot of potential for a fantastic pack.

The world itself is interesting, but we get very few, read none, of the details of the unique aspects of it, like the different names of the moon, the significance of triplet alphas that share a soul, the different wolf breeds, the pack structure they do and don't follow...there's a lot of detail that is missing and brings down the enjoyment of the story.  I'm hoping we get more in the subsequent stories, but I doubt it if they're all meant to be short stories that focus on the sexual healing of the magic peen and the bonding of mates through that oft-repeated act.

I actually felt myself being interested in the alphas and when the story finally got to the plot outside the bedroom.  The MC's in this particular story felt unbalanced and unlikely, though Derek was interesting because we actually got more of his thoughts regarding his family, job, art, and future hopes.  Ethan was kind of a stereotype come to life and his naivety was written more like a child and both his style and level of communication came of so childlike that it made nearly every intimate scene quite uncomfortable for me until near the end when he started to read as simply a naive, abused young man.

Despite feeling this book is more of a 2.5 stars than a legit 3, there are some grains of potential that I'm mildly interested to find out how they turn out.  Chris intrigues me as do the other alphas, Jax and Ryder, so I'd be willing to give the series a further read, but I can't say I'm running out to add them to my TBR list either.

*$2.99 on Amazon

When a rogue wolf brings a sweet omega to Derek Lowell's tattoo shop, he takes one deep breath and knows he can't let Ethan leave with the jerk. This omega is meant to be his, and Derek will do whatever he needs to do to save him.

Ethan is a Worthless One, an omega sold to a bad pack as a child, but he has a core of steel under his vulnerable exterior. When Derek offers him a safe haven, Ethan knows he has to try to overcome his past and grab his new Alpha with both hands. Cam Derek keep Ethan safe and teach him how to accept all the gifts Derek has to give him?

Shayne's Hope: Timberwood Cove Book 12, Liam Kingsley

Shayne gets a raw deal and to find himself with no better choice than to give his precious daughter a chance at a life he knows he can't provide at 17 makes me ache.  His broken heart is beautifully written and I hurt for him and hoped so hard for his future happiness.  (And introducing Hogan as his best friend and ginger brother was a great move because it puts us in an excellent position for Hogan's story next.)  I didn't have any major problems with anything Shayne said or did because all of his actions and hesitations were pretty logical and even though I don't like perpetuating secrets, his concerns were incredibly valid, especially after Vince expressed his insecurity regarding Charlotte's birth family.

So then we get to Vince.  He started out really great and I was so interested in him.  The biggest issue I had with him was his reaction to Shayne's secret.  Knowing he had his own whopper of one that he literally surprised Shayne with with so very little preparation and explanation and then to react as he did in such a brutal fashion was pretty reprehensible.  And then there was so little groveling.  Shayne was so eager to forgive because of his love that the apology was simple and direct but lacked depth and I wasn't exactly impressed by that scene at all.  He did have a ton of heart and was a fantastic father so there was a lot to make up for what bothered me so overall he wasn't so bad.

There was so much unsaid, even when both Charlotte and Vince expressed the desire to know Shayne's story.  I know that we got it because we started with it, but Shayne's intuition, his impression that the unknown-Vince was the man Charlotte needed to go to, his yearning to stay despite Vince's edict for him to leave...there was a lot that I wanted to see from Vince's perspective as Shayne shared his past and all that brought him to Timberwood Cove.  And Dan's not telling Vince Shayne's feeling and intention after their first enlightening scene in the diner when Shayne realized the truth was also a missed opportunity.  I think I wanted Vince to feel a bit more of a knife twist so the big gesture, the groveling, the huge apology could have come more convincingly from Vince rather than a moment of fate that forced Shayne's return.

I truly love this author's writing.  From their first book to now, every book I've read that they published (omitting the co-written ones) has been really good.  I felt for the characters right at the start and rooted for their happiness until the last word on the page.  Shayne's Hope is no different and despite my frustration with Vince and a bit of explanation that doesn't get page space everything else has me sold on Timberwood Cove as a place and a series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Vince
I’ve been hurt before, but Shayne makes me want to try again …
I haven’t been lucky in romance, and for the past twelve years my daughter Charlotte has been my number one priority. But my senses go crazy every time I’m around Shayne and my inner wolf is convinced he’s my fated mate. He fits right into my family, but he doesn’t know a thing about shifters and I don’t want to scare him away before I find a way to convince him to stay in town. It all seems too good to be true - but maybe this time, love will last.

Shayne
He adopted my daughter and now he’s stealing my heart …
Giving my kid up for adoption twelve years ago was the hardest thing I ever did. I never expected to see her again, and I definitely didn’t think I’d fall for her hot firefighter father. I’m not supposed to stay in Timberwood Cove for long, but when Vince asks for my help, I can’t resist. It doesn’t hurt that his kisses are hotter than the fires he puts out! But he doesn’t know who I really am, and if he finds out, I’m afraid it will ruin everything.

Single Omega Dad: Omega Misfits Book 4, Wendy Rathbone

After what happened in Trust No Alpha with Mathias I was set to make him earn his redemption.  I didn't expect to see his detachment and listlessness from the very start and then his quick change after truly seeing Saber.  His redemption didn't fully come until near the end, but that's because part of the process is making amends.  While he spent most of this story attempting to do what was right by the Omega that he was falling for, he had to come to terms with his past and that was his hurdle.  It took a while, but when he got there it was sweet because Kris was a wonderful human being that saw the heart of the man rather than holding a grudge from the past.  Though it did all work out, I felt the reconciliation was a bit too tame for what was necessary.

Finding a strong Omega who knew his mind and was still a wonderful father is something that doesn't always find a balance in many mpreg stories.  I was very happy that this wasn't the case here because Saber was truly a good dad who wanted the best for his sons.  Having a great Alpha to support him in that and to become a true partner in the task was icing on the cake.  I'm glad the kids played a role and at the same time were off screen as an integral part of their story but not taking up a lot of page time because there was a lot to cover with just the two men on their own.  The passion the two shared was definitely steamy and also full of unspoken feels most of the way through the story.  What they found in the end was a bond stronger than either ever anticipated they'd have for themselves and I was happy they got what they needed.

The issue of personal struggle for Mathias was something I felt evenly torn between.  Part of me wished they found a way to get what they wanted and needed without the miracle moment and part of me was grateful that they found a kind of completeness that worked for them.  It could have gone either way and while I enjoy what we got, I kind of feel like the grass may be greener on the other side.  Finding a way to accept yourself for exactly who you are, as you are, is a tough endeavor without anything out of your control getting in your way.  There's a message missing with the cure we found because the toxicity behind Mathias' father's ideas of what makes a strong Alpha is nearly reinforced by having that "flaw" of Mathias' be the thing that solidifies their bond.

Despite that bit of ambivalence, this was such a great story that needed to happen in the series.  It's definitely a stand-alone story, but to understand the depth of Mathias' guilt and resentment I highly suggest reading Trust No Alpha prior to this one.

*$3.99 on Amazon

My new financial guardian, Mathias, is a cold, self-centered, rude-ass Alpha and the son of one of the wealthiest men in the country. To him, I am a burden on society, only fit to live on a chattel farm.

It doesn’t matter that I’m drawn to him, to his ominous presence and chiseled jaw, his muscular body in his fitted silk suits. I’m a single dad with kids and responsibilities--I don’t have time for that rich bastard.

He keeps coming by the house so I can sign documents, fine. But then he’s got cute gifts for my kids. It’s got to stop. I don’t have time to fix him. Don’t have time to fall in love with an Alpha right now.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 48

  

• Love Vintage Blend: Home in Hollyridge Book 2, Elle Keaton
• Unicorn Unashamed: Rainbow Fever Book 1, Riley Rivers
• Dirty Chef, Cara Dee

We didn't get what I expected, though I have to say I was happy to be wrong.  With very little angst and a whole lot of cute interactions there was a lot to like about this story.  Add in a loveable pup and I was well pleased.  There was a bit of drama surrounding the ex and issues he caused both in the beginning and in the end, but both were quickly and easily resolved so nothing negative was left lingering.  Zach and Jeff were really good together, especially when they finally got on the same page in both their business and personal lives.  The self-deprecation on Jeff's part was understandable, but it was a bit too present and not truly worked through, it just miraculously went away.  And then there was the really cute reunion at the end that opened the door for the all-important question and gave us a wonderfully tender moment that wrapped up the story with warmth.  A satisfyingly sweet read with great characters in a town with lush descriptions.  3.5 stars.

Once the seemingly unrequited pining ended and they got a chance to burn up the sheets, they really showed a lot of passion.  They still held feelings back for a bit, but it wasn't unbearable and they made some really tender confessions.  The story was definitely short and sweet, but the steam was incredibly present and I really enjoyed the world that was created.  I'm for sure wanting to come back for more from the interesting side characters we met as well.  3.5 stars.

Ooh damn, this was HOT!  I love the Camassia Cove world and am always stoked to come back to it.  Alessia and Adam have been dancing around one another for a decade and finally, finally!, with one menu tasting, everything they thought they couldn't have explodes with some serious sexual napalm.  What's even better?  All the tenderness that hits you right in the feels.  Short, infinitely sweet, and incredibly sexy, this is definitely going on my re-read shelf.  4.5 stars.

Submitting to Fate: A Collection of Strays Book 5, Toby Wise

Rhett and Wyn have both led lives that seem to imply they're either perfect for one another or "never the 'twain shall meet" and I'm so glad that both men found a way to submit to Fate and all the ways they could fill one another's souls.  There were some rocky moments, but just like with each and every story in the series, they pulled it out in the end and gave in to a plan larger and more knowledgeable than their own.

One bit that didn't gel for me was their big moment of "communication" where the lead up to Wyn and Rhett's dynamic was building only to culminate in a moment that felt uncomfortable.  Wyn's thoughts regarding knowing what Rhett needed and yet ignoring the signs didn't feel right and that their moment of sharing all the angst from their hearts came so late in the story didn't exactly fit their flow either.  With such a short story I wasn't expecting it to be all hearts and roses, but two really big things that were specific to them and their story weren't given enough page time to feel resolved.

What I did love were all the sweet moments when you could see Rhett growing from the brat-for-brattiness'-sake into the brat-with-a-cornerstone.  With Wyn to ground him, to give him the peace he needs he could assume his role as the brat with more humor than before because he didn't need the facade to cover his pain.  Wyn softened as well and his journey was more one of bringing his past alongside his present and reveling in love instead of grief.  Rhett's insistence in keeping Wyn's past as an integral part of their hearts and going so far as to pass it on to their future was immensely wonderful.  It showed growth and a true understanding of love multiplying rather than living with a heart divided.  That was my favorite part.  These two men needed one another and I was pleased overall with their story.

$2.99 on Amazon

I hide behind snarky comments and teasing smiles because letting people see the true me is terrifying. The day I find out Wyn is my mate, all the BS falls away. He sees me, the real me, and instead of running for the hills, he stays by my side. My past reminds me of my failings but Wyn says I’m good. As I submit to him, just maybe I'll learn to believe him. -Rhett

Here I am, finding myself mated for the second time, pregnant without even really trying with a mouthy, bratty alpha. What the heck was Lady Fate thinking? As time goes on and with a little trial and error, Rhett and I learn to fit into our new dynamics. Rhett may submit to me, but I submit to Lady Fate, and so far, She's never pushed me past what I could take. -Wyn

Alpha's Embrace: Omega Misfits Book 3, Wendy Rathbone

From the very beginning of the series I was intrigued by the idea of Sylphs and new we'd get at least one of their stories.  For all the mystery and agony surrounding these men, there had to be individuals among them that didn't fit the lore passed around their society.  Misha was one such man and it took a kind, earnest, and determined Alpha to give him the future filled with love he didn't dare to dream could become a reality.

There were quite a few directions we could have been taken in with this story and while none that I expected happened, the path we took was interesting in quite a few ways.  Despite being interesting it drifted from one point to another while not really progressing and that made this book a little harder to read than the previous two.  I think there was a bit missing in the way of depth because for all the intrigue, mystery, genetic anomalies, surprise bonds, nefarious characters, and "planning" for their future, we got virtually none of the completion of any of those points.  They really could have been streamlined and refined and this would have easily been my favorite of the series.

It took way, way too long for anything romantic to happen and Geoff's constant denial was incredibly taxing, especially because there were a couple times when he seemed to come to the defining conclusion about his convictions toward Misha rather than away from him and in the next moment he's mentally and verbally denying anything he feels about him.  This is not my kind of roller coaster.

Overall there was a whole lot that drew me in with the premise, but the slow-burn wasn't implemented effectively to make me believe in the MC's or their romance.  With so many points of interest that weren't visited with intention I'm wondering where this series is going from here.  I'm still interested enough in how the author weaves a story from unconventional societal pairings with the men of this world that I'll absolutely be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

I am Misha.

My name was given to me at birth by the doctor who delivered me. I have never known my parents. I live in a ten by ten space with one window, a sink and toilet, a bed and a locked door. Once a day I’m taken to an outdoor exercise area. I am allowed a limited access tablet and tutored online by computer programs. I have one friend I talk to through a tiny crack in the wall. His name is Cedric and he has trouble keeping himself quiet. When he isn’t talking to me about monsters and demons, he screams all the time.

Why is my life so isolated and depressing? Because I am a Sylph. Sylphs are the byproduct of illegal Omega to Omega matings. We are all beautiful, but 99.9% are born insane. The rarest of Sylphs, like me, show no outward signs of madness or brain damage, but we live in institutions because we cannot be trusted.

All of us Sylphs who have lived long enough to pass through puberty have hypersexual disorder which makes life even more difficult for us, let alone our keepers. It is like something Alphas call the Burn, a mating urge Alphas experience once every couple of months.

But we’re Sylphs, not Alphas, and this Burn thing? We experience it all the time. It’s a huge problem and why we are kept isolated. Most of us don’t survive through our teens because of it.

One day, a handsome Alpha comes to interview and study me. He calls himself the Chief of Staff but his real name is Geo. Like magic, I fall in love with him instantly. I do everything I can to seduce him. He will have none of it because touch between an Alpha and a Sylph is taboo. But I have plans. No matter what, I intend to bond him and make him mine. Forever.

His Royal Mate: Unexpected Mates Book 2, Brea Alepou

There were quite a few things that were seemingly missing from book one and while that wasn't exactly the best way to begin, it put us on the path to this story where both men had depth, interesting backgrounds, and a jumping off point that gave us a way to find answers and a way forward for this pride.  It's absolutely a continuing series and something I can't exactly say stands on its own because of the number of unanswered questions, but if you were to start here rather than book one I'd say that's absolutely fine.  Overall though, this is a series that takes a little while to get off the ground, but when it does it picks up speed very quickly.

Dez and Kash are both interesting on their own because they have very different perspectives despite the similarities in their position that we learn about nearly halfway through the book.  I enjoyed the way both men took to their roles because it felt that they weren't fated mates just because that's the trope here, but that each person individually desired a life that could fit a certain type of partner and they fit those roles exactly right.  They were a great pair and I'm excited to see how they handle everything that's coming their way.

As a supporting cast we've got a varied crew and there are quite a few things that are drawing me back to the series despite not thinking I liked it in the very beginning.  The first book had more of a mystery element, this book has a set up for not just the series but the roles each person plays and will play from here on out, and we're in for some drama and angst in book three.  I think it's safe to say I'm glad I gave the series a shot and I'll be back for more.  There are definitely some issues in the story, the writing, the individuals, but there's something different that intrigues me and I'm willing to read more to find out exactly what that is.

*$4.99 on Amazon

True mates are found in the most unlikely of places.
Kash is Royalty
Kash doesn’t want to believe Dezi is his fated mate. But that’s okay. Dezi is patient and if the fates are going to grant him a beautiful man he’s more than willing to work for it.

Dezi is majestic
Kash had no plans on being mated, especially not to a lion shifter who feels too good to be true. He needs to be wary of Dezi’s charming smile and his warm hugs, but it’s hard to stay on guard when just being around Dezi calms him.

Tender moments, surprises, and reunions. The good and bad, they are in this together.

His Bewildered Mate: Unexpected Mates Book 1, Brea Alepou

I really enjoyed the premise of this story and felt that there was something unique about the story line.  I'd never read a story before where the shifter didn't know they were a shifter but were in their animal form.  The other way around, sure, in fact Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston was a phenomenal example of that, but this was something different, something new to me and I was intrigued right away by the synopsis.  What followed was a lot of the chase and very little actual plot or romantic progression.  While that's not always bad, it felt like it was missing a sense of balance and depth.

Both characters were interesting on their own with a lot of implied complication in their backgrounds.  Moreso with Dillan than Rhy because of his situation though.  That background isn't delved into at all and remains a mystery, so if you're looking for a neat ending with all the answers to this couple before we move on to the next with the subsequent book in the series, this isn't for you.  I will say though, that everything that this book was light on was deepened with book two, so if you're intrigued now, I highly recommend continuing.  This is a series that requires you to come back for more and I would not call it a standalone since questions are answered as the whole pride gets answers as they discover it all together.

*$4.99 on Amazon

True mates are found in the most unlikely of places.

Rhy, a weretiger with a heart so big, that when an elderly woman comes in looking for her lost cat, Mr. Fluffkins, Rhy knew he had to help. He had no way of knowing that it would lead him to his true mate.

Dillan (Mr. Fluffkins), has lived his whole life wishing he was more than just a cat. He never felt right walking around on four paws. He tried to be a normal cat; tried to talk to other animals but it wasn’t possible. They couldn’t think in full sentences or communicate. It was more of feeling they had then what they thought. He watched television, so he could studying humans and what they did. He wanted to interact like humans. His owners showed one another so much love and were always doing something together. Dillan ached to have what they have.

Love, loss, and tender moments. A dream to have the one person that completes you.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 47

  

• Becoming Sienna: Tide Series Book 0, T.M. Bashford
• Rebound: Latent Series Book 0, Alana Timms
• Whispers of the Heart: Hartwood Valley Book 1, Anita Therry

There were a few things that held promise, but I'm not sure that everything worked together to actually draw me into the larger series.  The two MC's can be great for one another if they can only figure out what the specter in Sienna's world and what they want.  With a mystery within a mystery there are a lot of tangled threads to unravel and it left me with a more confused and dissatisfied feeling than intrigued and invested.  Quite a lot of the emotional aspects felt forced and I had a hard time with Sienna's end choice.  Yes, healing is necessary, but I don't think her choice is actually the right one for both her and for the situation.  Overall I'm just not exactly a fan of the story and it didn't make me want to read more from this world, especially because the first story in the series isn't about the MC's from here.  2 stars.

I find that this story lacked balance for me.  We spent far too long pining for a friend who though virtually nothing of Trent, not even enough friendship to care about their dynamic and the situation Trent would face without him.  Chasing after his own urges put Trent into a situation that was more than unfortunate.  I did like Noah, though I thought there were so many threads and desires he had regarding his views on their inner wolf that would have beefed up the story and made it so very intriguing.  If we hadn't spent so long on Trent's yearning and the discordant feelings for both alphas we could have had an amazing story.  As it stands, Trent was alright though a bit one-note with a bit of a backbone, Noah was intriguing though in a basic way, and the story was merely alright when so much potential was set aside.  Honestly though, the vampire lounge thing really should have happened, I was really interested in that, but it too was set aside in favor of other unimpressive details.  3 stars.

I liked both characters and thought they matched together as a couple.  Their attraction in the past was there and while I didn't like that it took so long for them together, once they gave in to what they really wanted, it worked out in a sweet way.  That both men didn't expect monumental changes or for the "lowly omega" to give up his dreams and hard work now that he had an alpha in his life was wonderful.  Not everything was easy, especially with someone attempting to undermine and lie their way into taking everything away from them.  As they discover who it is and why it gives both men a chance to support one another.  And in the face of everything, they not only come together as a partnership, but they created a family and an environment where they could all truly thrive.  3.5 stars.