Press One for Fake Boyfriend: Dial A Man Book 1, Joe Satoria

This was a new-to-me author and I have to say I don't think their writing style completely worked for me.  Awkwardness abounded in the writing's flow, the MC's individually, the retreat, and most of the interactions between each and every character other than Vik.  And Chef Espy?  Yeah, I just really didn't get it.  He was a caricature and made me uncomfortable on a number of occasions to say nothing of his own sketchy interactions with the MC's.

There were a few moments that I thought I might enjoy myself, but those weren't as often as I would have liked.  I just didn't connect with the characters at all, probably because I didn't see or feel a deeper connection between Wyatt and Kane either.  Their chemistry felt scripted more than organic both platonically as well as when things finally became intimate.

Juvenile behavior was one thing, but it was the immaturity from Kane that really threw me.  I didn't believe most things in the story and while Kane's manner was okay in the beginning, his dramatic flight from the retreat showed that all the professionalism he spouted at every opportunity was just lip service in the end.  It was like watching teenagers instead of grown men.  Even with surprising feelings being thrown into the mix there had to be a better way to write their conflict.  Wyatt on the other hand started out truly annoying and uptight and even if he didn't actually have a lot of character growth himself, he ended up less annoying as the story went on because he became less of a robot.

I didn't really dislike the story, it just really didn't work for me and I struggled to finish.  The only bright spot was Vik and his ridiculousness; he was truly a character.  I think the story suffered mainly from trying too hard.  It wasn't a bad story, the synopsis was good and the premise really held promise, it just needed a whole lot of finesse and some objective editing.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Opposites attract when Wyatt hires Kane to be his fake boyfriend.

Wyatt Scott is a highly strung pastry chef who owns a patisserie with dreams of expansion. He always gets what he wants, the exception being a boyfriend.

Kane Dixon is an easy-going creative soul who moonlights as an escort. He's saving to open a pottery studio and continue to make phallic ceramics.

Hired for a weekend retreat, Kane's three rules are going out of the window. No kissing, no drinking, and definitely no overnight stays. Can he pull it back even after going so far?

With a shared bed and close proximity, will they let lust take over? Or quit while they're ahead?

As Big as the Sky, Amy Aislin

Five stars for the fluffiest fluff to ever fluff!  I adore Sam and Bo with all my heart.  They were direct, endearing, and so very open to one another once Sam realized that he was being kind of a big jerk.  In addition to that there were the heartfelt confessions, the apology carrots, the apology primroses for the apology carrots, the genuine warmth, amusing parents, and all the animals...I don't think I have a single complaint.

Keeping the conflict on the real issues and not manufacturing drama between the men was the perfect way to go for this short romance.  The depth was there, but in a light handed way so it was more alluded to by the circumstances and side characters rather than in the descriptive dialogue or written explanations.  While Sam's individual conflict was a bit of a non-issue, it did give validation for his rather caustic myopticism that dictated his and Bo's first interaction and was suitably resolved in the same non-issue kind of way.  It was Bo's conflict that was really the focus and I was glad for the way it played out.

I almost want to take a tiny break from reading so I can let all the tender feels settle in me for just a bit longer.  There was just so much heart and honesty that it gave me the lightness I was craving.  No angst and all the feels, this short story is perfect for a literary lift when you need it.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Sam McAuley isn’t having a great start to the summer. Served with papers? Great. He’s being sued. Perfect, pristine yard overrun with chickens? What the—? Clearly, the new guy running the animal rehabilitation centre next door has no idea what he’s doing.

It’s one town to the next, one school to the next, one job to the next for Bo Novak. Everything is temporary. Even his current job—running his sister’s animal rehab centre while she’s away on a four-month leave—is temporary. And he does know what he’s doing, thank you very much. Sure, things don’t always run smoothly, but the stick-in-the-mud next door could be a little nicer about it.

One overheard conversation, an olive branch, and a baseball game might show these guys that being at odds isn’t really what they want, and that what they want might just be each other.

Marquis of Hidden Doors: Royal Powers Book 3, Lynn Lorenz

Both men were interesting on their own and while I was glad we weren't bogged down in rehashing painful history and blame throwing, there was something lacking in the chemistry and the overall story progression that left me feeling a bit less than satisfied.

The struggle between Remy and his mother was there and vaguely resolved by the end while his relationship with his father was fantastic. There was a bigger bully that didn't truly get his comeuppance on page and could have been woven better with the overall drama surrounding them in their world.

The romance was a little quick and included a bit of extra drama that turned out to be unnecessary so I felt the time used to exacerbate their issues would have been better used to weave a more compelling overall story. I wish this had the punch I came to expect after reading Duking it Out by E.J. Russell, though on its own it wasn't a bad read at all, it just fell a little flat by comparison.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Secrets are never good things.

Remy Marchand is the Marquis of Marchand. Royal by blood. But he’s got a secret. In a world where royals have superpowers, Remy refuses to reveal his power, especially to his family. His entire life Remy wanted is to be just plain old Remy, not the Remy the Royal the kids from his childhood tormented. Back from university, all Remy wants to do is work on his art. All his parents want him to do is get a real job in The Municipal. But Remy’s not up for a life of boring paper pushing.

Hugo Legrand used to be a follower and a bully. But that was ages ago and Hugo is now the owner of a fledgling construction company. With one job, he’s got the chance to really make a name for himself – the renovation of the Marchand’s stable into a luxury rental place. The only bad thing – Remy Marchand, the object of Hugo’s desire lives there at the chateau. But Remy is so far out of his league, Hugo doesn’t stand a chance with a royal.

Hugo past haunts him. He’d been one of Remy’s childhood bullies – and Remy remembers. Hugo’s secret – even at thirteen, he’d thought Remy was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. If his fellow bullies found out, both Remy and he would have been in even more danger, so Hugo watched over Remy and stayed silent, letting Remy think the worst of him.

Now, fate and circumstance has thrown Hugo and Remy together, and there is no denying the spark between them. In their dreams, that spark ignites desire and hope.

But if Hugo wants Remy, he can no longer keep his secret.
And Remy’s secret, if it stays hidden, can let Hugo and Remy live the lives of their dreams.

But once out, it could destroy their future.

Clean Up on Aisle Mine: A Spy Like Me Book 1, Patricia Logan

So many sweet feels!  The story was slow to start with a couple chapters filled with descriptions of scenery and quite a few things that didn't enhance the setting or push the story forward, but once it gained traction both Jude and Damon captured my attention and held it.  Both men needed someone to see to their tender soft parts and the good men they were inside and fortunately they were in the perfect situation to give one another time to do just that.  There's a bit of mystery that surprised us near the end giving a hint of what we'll find out as the series continues and since we're following Jude and Damon on their adventures I'm so very in for more.

I'll admit that I was wary at the outset that I'd have a tough time getting through all. The. Words.  The pace picked up quickly once Damon made contact with Jude though and I was continually impressed by Damon's sincerity and understanding as well as Jude's thoughtful capitulation and maturity when reality and possible consequences were laid out clearly for him.  They worked so well together in so many ways that when physical intimacy became part of their story it was so organic and right for both of them.  They'd built a foundation of trust, respect, and affection which allowed Jude to be confident that Damon was his choice as well as in other life choices and for Damon to open up and share his grief and his heart with Jude.

With very little angst other than Damon coming to terms with his past and the slightly confusing mystery that causes more than a few problems, this was an enjoyable read with two men that I don't want to leave just yet.  I'm eager for more from them and hope their story continues in the same lighthearted and intriguing way.  Aside from the title that doesn't really seem to fit the story, I'm all in for the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Former CIA operative, Damon Thorne, is a fixer. He cleans up messes other people make of their lives to forget the wreckage his own has become. Whether it means retrieving a drug addict whose family is being blackmailed or rescuing a furball who’s the subject of a custody dispute, Damon just gets things done.

When the job means kidnapping the wild son of a prominent Senator in an election year, it should come with hazard pay.

From the day Jude Chenoweth was born into wealth and position, his father has groomed him to follow in his footsteps. Jude has other plans. Openly gay and infamous, all he wants to do is live his life, create his art, and never settle down.

Life has a way of kicking butts, even the sexy ones. Thrown together in a situation neither wanted, Damon and Jude must now decide how to move forward. Jude knows something is wrong when he gazes into Damon’s haunted brown eyes and Damon recognizes there’s much more to Jude than the caricature he shows the world.

This might be the beginning of a journey… or an incredibly stupid mistake. Perhaps working together will help them process their own demons. Whatever happens, neither of them believes Damon’s assignments will always come with a heaping helping of bad guys.

Not always… right?

About Patricia...

International bestselling author Patricia Logan, resides in Los Angeles, California. The author of several #1 bestselling erotic romances in English, Italian, French, and Spanish lives in a small house with a large family. When she’s not writing her next thriller romance, she’s watching her grandchildren grow up way too soon, and raising kids who make her proud every day. One of her favorite tasks is coaxing nose kisses from cats who insist on flopping on her keyboard while she tries to type. She counts herself lucky to be surrounded by people who love her and give her stories to tell every day.

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Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 49

  

• The D- in 403B, Jess Bryant
• Blood Ruby: Tin Star Witches - Witches of Ruby Gulch Book 4, Kiernan Kelly
• Dragon Consultant: Supernatural Consultant Book 1, Mell Eight

This was an overall cute story with characters that I wanted to get to know and at the outset it was setting us up for a meet-hate-cute situation that I was all over.  But very quickly it devolved to something a bit more juvenile than endearing.  Once they finally got to the dating portion it was quick and definitely steamy so I was back on board.  But very quickly it became repetitive both in action and being stuck in their head.  The separation was necessary, though I feel the situation was forced by an incredibly unthinking Brett.  As a vet there was a whole lot that I didn't understand with his behavior.  The beginning was amusing and the ending was really, really good, I just got a bit lost in the middle.  3 stars.

Ishago and Finn had a rather auspicious meeting and while it made things interesting and drew me in, there wasn't a whole lot to maintain that interest.  Their interactions felt like words on a page rather than organic and fluid and even Finn's personality couldn't really make up for the dialogue that felt slightly contrived.  The action was reserved for near the end of the book rather than something that built based on multiple events that carried them to that point.  Things would probably have worked better if the confrontation and resolution weren't reserved for the very end.  There could have been quite a lot more build up and anticipation for the end as well as more care given to crafting Ishago.  Finn stole the show as did his familiar and I wish that Ishago would have been as compelling as Finn.  3 stars.

The different types of dragons, the elements of danger and mystery, and the hint of romance combine to make this a very interesting series to dive into.  It didn't all work together and some personality things were a little questionable, but that's only because this story is so short that we don't get a whole lot about any of them.  We have basics and for a start to a series with shorter-length stories I didn't mind too much.  There was enough to draw me in and pique my curiosity.  3.5 stars.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 46

  

• Wolf: Shifter Kings Nashville Book 4, Holly Gunn
• How to Catch a Prince: Chester Falls Book 1, Ana Ashley
• Socks for an Otter, Posy Roberts

One thing I loved here was that it had memorable characters.  Between a complicated relationship between Seraphina and her magic and Wolf and his role as King, both individual complications added interest to this short story in a way that felt real and just difficult enough to make their outcome that much more awesome.  I really couldn't have predicted the ending at all and it was perfection for the couple and their most heartfelt desires.  Giving us compelling characters, despite the push and pull that generally annoys me, made this story fit right in with the series.  The steam was absolutely there and the relationship had its share of ups and downs with secrets, but they made it out the other end with so much strength and determination to make things work so they could fulfill their roles in a brand new way for their world.  4 stars.

Oh, my goodness, this was adorable!  There was quite a bit of predictability when the truth was revealed, but what was awesome was that the hurt, betrayal, and separation didn't follow the general pattern that you see in many other royalty secret romances.  After good advice by a trusted friend, they were able to move forward after explanations to work for their forever.  Charlie was adorable and I wish I had seen more come from his art, but what we saw of him was enough to know he really is a wonderful human being that is just right for Kris.  Kris is also a good man and I definitely wish we had more on his chosen profession and how that got resolved.  Overall, I just feel this story was too short to give us the important things regarding their passions and livelihoods, but it was just long enough to introduce two sweet characters and a story that was simply tender and passionate with a wonderful cast that I will definitely be back to learn about.  4 stars.

Well, this isn't what I expected.  I was engaged right from the start with Sebastian, but soon after the relationship began he became stagnant.  Confusing in his reactions and infuriating in his seeming lack of remorse for his actions against Louis.  There's something deeper there that I feel didn't get enough attention so it ended up contrasting rather alarmingly with Louis' many, many apologies where he really didn't do anything terribly drastic.  Sure, apologies were necessary at times, but it felt so one-sided.  The whole relationship did, in fact.  Overall there were some very tender, very sexy moments, but I just wasn't as thrilled by the overall story as I thought I would be.  2.5 stars.

The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings: Black and Blue Book 1, Lily Morton

Absolutely absorbing right from the very beginning!!  I seriously couldn't put the book down.  There was interest from the characters to the ghost to the story surrounding everything...I just enjoyed it all.  Well, almost all, but the awkward/dismissive interactions between Blue and Levi during their beginning was quickly forgiven when they actually started working together and progressing.  And while I admit that the supernatural element was a little heavy-handed at times and was resolved with fireworks and a fizzle, I liked everything else about the story so much that I was definitely willing to forgive those things.

Levi is adorably awkward and a little bit of an "ugly duckling" in the sense that he doesn't know how wonderful he is.  His heart is quite large and giving and was the perfect thing to make a home for Blue.  His generosity and honesty gave Blue the stability he needed to find freedom from his past and a belief in a happier future.

There were quite a few moments where the crazy seemed to disappear which gave the narrative a chance to focus on all the sweetness and stealth cuddling between Levi and Blue.  Their relationship grew alongside the more spectral aspects of the story and while they could have blended a little more fluidly, I liked how each element played out on their own.  The ending was really the best and most appropriate that could have been written for the men.  I'm incredibly glad we got the HFN we did, that there's so much more growth each person needs on their own and together that to wrap it up quickly to give us an HEA would be a poor way to follow up such a great story.  While I'm usually HFN-averse, what I like about this one is that it's, as I said before, the ideal way to go for where each person is at the time the story ends, and it's incredibly sweet and hopeful so it's not like a cliffhanger or an unsatisfying place to leave them.  If you didn't continue with the series from here it would be okay, though I wouldn't advise it because the guys were just so awesome, but the promise of an HEA could be considered enough.

With compelling men, a great story, and an interesting addition of the supernatural, this series is shaping up to be something absolutely memorable and I'm in for wherever this roller coaster takes us.

*$4.99 on Amazon!

Levi Black is at a crossroads. After suffering a loss and breaking up a long-term relationship, he’s looking for a change. When he receives the news he’s inherited a house in York, he seizes the opportunity to begin a new chapter in his life.

However, when he gets there, he finds a house that has never kept its occupants for very long. Either through death or disinclination, no one stays there, and after a few days of living in the place, Levi can understand why. Strange noises can be heard at all hours of the day and night, and disturbing and scary things begin to happen to him. He never believed in ghosts before, but when events take a sinister turn, he knows he must look for help. He finds it in the unlikely form of the blue-haired leader of a ghost tour.

Blue Billings is edgy, beautiful, and lost. Utterly lost. He conceals so many secrets that some days it’s a miracle he remembers his own name. He knows that he should ignore Levi because he threatens the tenuous grip Blue has on survival. But there’s something about the kind-eyed man that draws Blue to him. Something that demands he stay and fight for him when he would normally run in the opposite direction.

As the two men investigate the shocking truth behind Levi’s house, they also discover a deep connection that defies the short length of time they’ve known each other. But when events escalate and his life is on the line, Levi has to wonder if it was wise to trust the Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings.

Back to You: Against All Odds Book 1, Kim Breyon

The angst is high as is the concerning codependency issues both in Riley and Beckett's past as well as their present.  As they figure things out together, this very slow-burn romance gives them a lot of room to be open, honest, and happy, but that's not always how life works.  So many things unsaid between them about their past and present that it makes the story seem much longer than it really is.  Despite taking a long time to get to the point of everything, this was a good story that I felt invested in most of the way through.  I truly wanted to see them make it through to the other side.

Alternating POV's as well as including numerous flashbacks gives us a very complete story that felt appropriate.  Sometimes having a ton of flashbacks detracts from the story and what's going on with what we feel are the relevant moments of the timeline, but these are well done.  There's so much in their past that if we started there this would have had to be split into multiple books.  Or it was left out only to be brought up in small explanations or brief mentions and remembrances we'd be completely lost as to why they stayed apart, what they needed to grieve, and how they became who they were now.  I appreciated how the back-story was written.

But the codependency bothered me.  They even acknowledge it later in the story and while I agree that the choice for their future shouldn't have been taken out of their hands, it was only through the passing of time and growing up that they were in a better place to have the relationship we hoped they would.  Both Beckett and Riley have a lot of inner turmoil that should have been addressed separately.  Being one another's catalyst for that change would have been apropos and I didn't think there was enough of that.  Instead we see them fall apart and hold back and tiptoe around big issues.

This honestly wasn't the healthiest of relationships.  At times their interactions felt like high schoolers and not grown men.  Then when you added all the extra drama from family, jealousy, unclear relationship expectations, and unsatisfactory trauma coping, it becomes incredibly heavy.  There's honestly just too much near the end.  And I'll also mention that virtually no child talks the way Beckett's niece does.  Way too enlightened and her interpretation of complex concepts was too advanced for her age.

As we finally get to the end of the story I was pretty disappointed in the conclusion of the family heirloom case.  Connecting it to Beckett's affection for pirates felt forced.  Getting him to Reedsport I can understand, but dragging it out to pop up for a moment or two to remove him from Reedsport a time or few and then concluding the case with cheesiness just wasn't the way to go.

The setting was quaint and felt like home.  This was probably the best part of the story, creating a haven for them and a community where they both fit as the individuals they became as well as as a couple.  Even though the road to their happy ending was long and fraught with all kinds of drama and trauma, they did get there and I was glad they made it.

*$3.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU

Aiden Inspired, Blake Allwood

Strangely, I liked the story but not the actual writing.  Descriptions, dialogue, inner musings, all of them felt slightly wrong but I also couldn't help liking where most everything ended up going.  

Devin's personality really grates more often than not and for all the times when he promised himself he wouldn't be like the previous ranch owner he seems to never grasp the moments where he knows he's acting the same way.  Even knowing he's doing or saying something hurtful or super grouchy he refuses to alter his behavior.  He does eventually come around and tries to make amends, but I'm not sure it's enough for me.

Aiden is a little flighty but he's also very simple.  The life he knows he needs is the same one he wants yet when he's asked questions about possible change or thinks about making that happen it's as if he's in denial and that knowledge isn't what he knows at all.  It's confusing and disappointing to say the least.  It feels like the denial is just a way for the author to cause more potential conflict and make the life change acceptance more powerful at the end.  Doesn't work, by the way.  What I do love about him is the peace and the satisfaction we see all over him while he's working in the barn, the stalls, with the animals, and absorbing everything that's country and beautiful about where he's stranded.

Their separation before the reunion felt a bit forced, like that was the only way a "see what you had when it's gone" realization could happen.  When they finally did come back together I don't know if I'm totally sold on their reconciliation.  I would have liked more between the end and the epilogue so the sweetness and "full-circle" feelings could have a chance to settle and warm me to their permanence.  Overall though, this was a nice story that somehow won me over despite not being a writing style I typically enjoy.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 40

• Tiny Dancer: Cold Case Psychic Spin Off Novella 7, Pandora Pine
• Whole Again: Orchard Ridge Omegas Book 1, Braylon Black
• My Maine Man: The Johnson Family Book 4.5, Holly J. Martin 
• Trickster, Nicola Cameron

Despite being a novella, this felt like a fully fleshed out relationship based on something solid and not just a supernatural enhancement of insta-love.  When Riordan jumps on stage to dance with his daughters because of stage fright I was just as charmed as everyone else.  His innate strength of character allowed him to push on despite his grief and his lack of pride let him accept help where it was available.  I loved his humility.  And for a loving, supportive partner, there was no man better than Faulkner.  While I had reservations about him before this point, he more than redeemed himself with his stellar care and concern for Riordan as well as his adoration of all the children.  His heart was so obvious in this story that I couldn't help but fall head over heels for him.

The only thing I had an issue with was the four year old speaking like she was seven or eight.  I enjoyed her role and pure childlike acceptance of the supernatural, but it was the age and verbalization capabilities that took me out of the story quite a few times.  I also wish I got a lot more of Faulkner's background, but I liked what we did get.  Overall though, this was a fantastically sweet story that fit in with the parent series and introduced me to new characters to love.  4 stars.

It's not every day you get a second chance with your first love, but for Houston and Emmett the embers of attraction and warmth of youthful love spark into a full-blown forest fire.  Except the past holds them hostage and they'll have to decide if a future together is more important than holding on to the pain of the past.  I liked the threads of making amends and embracing your history in order to become the person you were always meant to be.  Those ideas were really well done in this story.

Houston's difficulties with his father were incredibly painful and legitimate reasons for him to leave the town behind.  His shortsightedness when it comes to his situation with Emmett, however, is a bit frustrating.  Emmett's painful past is truly heartbreaking.  His insistence on pushing Houston away at every turn, even when he willingly makes a family with him is beyond annoying.  I had a really hard time taking him seriously after a while because his fierce need to believe in a curse truly hurt Houston over and over again.  They figured things out and I appreciated the way the story ended because it went a long way to soothing my feelings for both men.  With an interesting cast this series holds quite a bit of promise.  3 stars.

When Noah first meets Ned it's definitely lust at first sight, but when they give one another a chance to see beyond the surface, they find something truly special with a partner they'd never expected to find.  I know Ned was a big bully growing up and that he really did some awful things, but if there was anyone who needed redemption and love, it was the big, gruff antisocial lumberjack.  I liked Noah's feisty attitude and positivity too.  Together they could be wonderful.  I truly loved the quiet way Ned went about seeking redemption.  It was his heart, his intent, and his humility all while feeling like he didn't deserve forgiveness that broke my heart and made me love him so hard.

But any time (read every time) the outside world or even the community entered the picture, Noah got on my nerves.  He was wonderful with what he was doing for the Boys & Girls Club and was so open-hearted and generous, but the way he made Ned feel in public was often unfeeling and disappointing.  Noah did come around and I'm glad he didn't get haughty or make Ned grovel because he really was the best match for Ned.  Ned's Grand Gesture was heartfelt and great, but by the end of his speech it felt off because it should have circled back to the purpose behind the event.  It just didn't feel right for the situation, story, and intention behind it.  With Ned's pure soul and Noah's openness to change and the beauty of a town that felt like home, this was a nice story with a very sweet ending.  3.5 stars.

An unexpected mate brings Delaney to his knees and despite all that stands in the way of their mating, he's determined to make Mark his in the most loving way possible.  What I loved about this story was that it was moved along by passion, but it was the forbearance of the lust in favor of the solid connections, the creation of comfort, and the honesty Delaney was determined to have before he gave in that won me over.  Everything happened quickly but it felt more natural than so many other insta-love shifter stories I've read.

I appreciated the villain being a predictable mystery and not overly complicated.  Another awesome point of the story is when Mark uses his brain to find a solution without resorting to making amends and hoping for forgiveness after giving in to coercion.  Using his resources and not going it alone because of threats was admirable and it showed true strength to me.  Mark and Delaney made a great pair with their sweet moments, their intelligence, their chemistry, and their commitment.  This was a surprisingly fantastic read.  4.5 stars.