Silent Knight: Fog City Book 5, Layla Reyne

 

Friends-to-Lovers is way too simple a trope for the men here.  I've already come to love these men so much throughout the previous stories in this series and I needed to know their story.  There is complication after complication, a wife and kid, deep affection, shared history, separation and reunion...what Brax and Holt have is so vast that they needed to tell their story, I needed to read it.

But something to keep in mind before reading...  This is the conclusion of the drama and danger surrounding the family and the villain is one that is important enough that you have to have context behind why it's such a huge deal and you won't get that by starting here with Silent Knight.  For that you have to dive in from the beginning with Prince of Killers.  It's also in the rest of the series that you see all the complicated mess and longing and affection that's apparent between Holt and Brax.  So my suggestion is to go back to where it all started.

Holt and Brax didn't get a trilogy like Chris and Hawes got, but the angst building up throughout all of that up to this moment was enough to make me yearn for Brax and Holt's story.  FINALLY!!  They get their HEA.  And while it took a long time to get there, including most of this book too, it happened.  We started with the past, the one hinted at but never shared before now.  In Brax's words, his feelings, we see just how deep his feelings went and how they built from their first fated meeting where he fell head over combat boots in love with the scared giant of a young soldier.  It answered all the secret questions of how a bond so strong could have existed.

Both men were fierce, caring, and committed to saving the other, almost to their own detriment.  Holt had been the quiet force, the tortured gentle soul in the other books in the series, but here we got to see him take charge, running in to save, to protect, and threatening their worst enemy for the sake of those he loves.  The ultimate villain was expected, but the way it played out, seeing everyone put the pieces together while also battling Brax's savior complex and his pride and stubbornness, it all worked out to a sufficiently dramatic confrontation that was resolved without the flash-bang of the drama and distractions that preceded it.

I do wish we had spent more time with them on the happier, more settled side of the conclusion.  It was a little too abrupt and off-page for all the angsting we'd done up to this point.  The choices made at the end were exactly right for everyone and I couldn't be happier with finally seeing Holt and Brax be together as they were meant to be.  There was a mention of a certain company, Redemption Inc., and I'm pretty much salivating over that becoming a new spin off series.  The world the author has created in San Francisco is addictive and compelling; I'd be ecstatic for another reason to rejoin it.

*5.99 on Amazon or FREE on KU

Add to your Goodreads TBR list!

I won't let anything happen to you.

Fourteen years ago Braxton Kane's feelings were forbidden.  As an officer, he couldn't fall for an enlisted...no matter how much he longed for Holt Madigan.

Now―as a police chief in love with a digital assassin―his promise to always protect Holt is becoming harder to keep.

I'll protect you.

Holt doesn't understand why his best friend has been pushing him away for months.  But when Brax's life and career are threatened, Holt refuses to allow the distance any longer.

The Madigans protect their own, and Brax is family, whether he believes it or not.

I won't let anything happen to you either.

Forced together, Holt realizes his feelings for his best friend have changed.

His desire to explore the promise their single night together held is undeniable.

His resolve to protect the man who has always protected him is unshakable.

But if Holt wants a future with Brax, he'll have to search and destroy the person who attacked him―before Brax activates the kill switch and sacrifices himself.

*Silent Knight is the fifth 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 should really start 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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A Reluctant Boy Toy: Men of St. Nacho's Book 3, Z.A. Maxfield

Virtually no conclusions about anything, but I still really, really liked it.

So this wasn't actually set in St. Nacho's despite being "marketed" that way by being included in the series.  There's a connection, but a vague one at best, so I don't know how well it fits in terms of setting or cast, but in feel and theme it really does so whatever you choose to make of that, there it is.

Stone really got to me.  Maybe because I relate to the demi discovery after a failed marriage, but there's something in his tremendous heart and infinite care of those he cares for that hits me right in the feels.  His shame and guilt are a bit painful to watch because the way he describes his fears and his vulnerabilities feel real and not something made up to give him complexity in a story that eventually gets an HEA.  That's not what happens at all.

And then there's Bast who has a truckload of unresolved trauma that comes back with a vengeance.  All the good he's done and the healing he thought he achieved before that happened falters in the face of a very real and disturbing situation.  I liked him and that no one let him continue running from the consequences of PTSD from whatever really happened in his past. His honesty with Stone and his expressions of mortification were endearing as well.

So then there's the whole plot and character progression and the romantic arc to consider...

Plot: not much of one, to be honest.  It basically centers on the personal evolution of each MC and how that brings them together.  Throwing around little to no detail of Bast's past except that one video and a lot of intimation from one uncomfortable conversation with a pervy dude because of the NDA was annoying, actually.  I get that we didn't really need a whole rehashing of some sick stuff that older dudes in the industry perpetrated on young, naive kids new to the scene, but it felt way too swept aside with the mention of the NDA even in Bast's personal thoughts.

Character progression: Stone does most of the growing because he's got a lot to discover about himself and come to terms with at the same time as making peace with his past.  It's not complete by the end, but there is huge progress on the past front and a full acceptance of who he is in relation to Bast and what he wants out of that relationship.  Bast doesn't actually deal with much of anything by the end and his character is left hanging despite being under the care and encouragement of Stone.

Romance: definitely on a good footing by the end, though the HEA is implied and not explicit because of where the author chose to end the story.  Very slow burn and very low steam as well.

By the end I felt it was a really wonderful story and I was actually glad the author didn't try to cram in full resolutions on Bast's legal issues, Bast's emotional issues, Stone's relationship with his ex, Stone's relationship with his kids, Bast's career, Stone and Bast's living arrangements, therapy, etc.  To do that the story would really have to be lengthened quite a bit.

Perhaps some of it could have been left out completely from the outset to keep the story simpler.   Maybe we could have gotten a lot less of Stone's job and the repetitions of wolf-dog issue explanations.  The balance could have been improved, yes, but judging the story for what we got, I was actually not displeased by the end and really felt for Stone and enjoyed the read.  I'm still all in for the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

A physically scarred veteran. An emotionally scarred young actor. Can they let go of the past and find a future together?Stone Wilder is happiest with his emotional support dog and the hybrid wolfdogs he rescues. They don't react to his scars or call him queer because sex doesn't interest him all that much. Maybe that's why he doesn't believe the rumors that paint gorgeous Sebastian Keye as an unprofessional "it boy." To Stone, Sebastian is simply a nice kid who shares his interest in dogs.

Sebastian is drawn to Stone's warmth and caring nature. With the help of his stalwart PA Molly, Sebastian and Stone begin a quiet friendship. But a video from Sebastian's past suddenly goes viral, causing old hurts and humiliations to destroy his emotional stability and nearly cost him his life.

After Sebastian's world falls apart, Stone wants to support him. But Stone has his own tortured past, and they can't move forward unless he makes things right.

Will growing close to Sebastian lead Stone to a new understanding of who he is and what he wants?

Moored Heart: Catalina Dreams Book 1, I.M. Flippy

Jason and Charlie had an interesting connection right from the start and I enjoyed watching them grow to love one another.  While Jason's lust was a bit of a surprise for him, Charlie's was present right from the start.  Getting them on the same page didn't take as long as I thought it would and seeing Jason's cute and sweet moments paralleling that more intense chemistry was a good change of pace from other stories with a similar plot.

The confrontation and conflict was definitely predictable, but I don't really feel it was unjustified from either Jason or Charlie's perspectives.  Seeing the heartache on both sides being very different but no less real was also a wonderful surprise because there was a vulnerability on Jason's and a maturity on Charlie's that was the real gem during the reconciliation.  That was actually my favorite part of the story, the emotive and honest confession from Jason, the level-headed and understanding preface from Charlie, those were the kinds of words that I always hope to see in so many stories where hurtful reactions cause the biggest trouble.

While I do wish there were more of a connection between me and the men individually and that Jason's ex wasn't so unapologetically pushy more often than not, I liked the overall flow of the story and the men's evolutions both on their own and together.  Jason was the more interesting character and remained so for the entirety, but I liked Charlie for him.  So overall I was happily surprised and even though I choose not to continue the series, this was an enjoyable story on its own.

And on a side note, I agree with other reviewers about the author's note putting them off.  It did for me as well.  Let's be honest here, the whole world needs a serious "come to Jesus" smack down with all the hate and violence and disgust being tossed around as if that's okay.  Racism is absolutely real and completely wrong.  Racial profiling is absolutely real and completely wrong.  I'm totally fine with authors deciding not to write law enforcement characters into their story, but to preface this particular story as they did was...out of place.

They should have made their rant and decision somewhere on their personal or author forums and not in a book where their MC as a police detective had nothing to do with anything regarding the movement, no questionable actions of any kind while on the force regarding this issue in this story, and not at the very outset of a story where it wasn't truly relevant thus coloring the reader against the character before even meeting them.  Justifiable choice going forward, but not the best place to declare it.  Jason was a good man, a good detective, and that was tainted by how the author chose to voice their political opinion.

*$1 on Amazon

When retired homicide detective Jason Winters moves to Catalina Island fresh off a divorce, he’s ready to start a new life.
Jason’s plan is simple: hang out on his small yacht, work on his book, and get his dick wet once in a while. There are plenty of hot women on the beach to choose from.
There are also a lot of men throwing him winks and calling him “daddy.”

Jason can’t deny he’s thought about men, but that attraction is something he’s never had to confront before... until he meets Charlie.
Charlie is gorgeous and more than that, he makes Jason laugh. He’s also smart and genuinely kind.
Jason feels a zing around him he hasn’t felt in years.

Zing…

Charlie Benton likes his life. Sure, he works in a tourist trap shop, lives with his mom, and rarely bothers to leave tiny Catalina Island. But he’s got friends, he loves his town, and hot guys come in on boats all the time. Tourists always want to bang a cute townie.

But Charlie wants more.
Charlie wants the great gay romance.
Charlie did not expect true love to come in the form of Jason Winters.
Jason’s an injured, divorced cop from L.A. He’s got history and baggage. Even worse, he’s probably straight.
So much for the great gay romance.
The last thing Charlie needs in his life is to get his heart broken by a straight guy.

Too bad love never listens to reason... especially on Catalina Island.

Duking it Out: Royal Powers Book 1, E.J. Russell

So not a meet*cute kind of story, more like a meet*antagonize/judge story, which actually works in making you feel something for both men.  There's so much to start the story with, a huge chip on the shoulder, an isolated man with a good heart, a confrontation to sort out, instant attraction, a power no one understands, political intrigue...just so much to jump into and while it seems like a huge assortment of things to tackle by the end of the story, it all works out satisfactorily.  A bit simply, but with a shorter story that focuses on the bonding of two men in a forced proximity situation and misunderstandings that really center on them more than anything else, it was well balanced and needed that external simplicity.

I really, really enjoyed the time they spent on the island and when the prickly handsome Tarik is the first one to look closer into Sander, it's that turnaround, patience, and care that truly clinched the story for me.  Sander was gentle and so sweet that he was my favorite at first so watching Tarik become what Sander needed through being open and kind I was all about being in love with them.

Where things went from the island was a little regrettable, but it did give them a chance to sort out their hearts to really decide if it was just a proximity/loneliness/survival thing enhancing their feelings or if it was based on something deep, something real.  When they came back together it was all kinds of awkwardly adorable and I thought the conclusion was just right for Tarik, Sander, and the countries' situation.  This was a wonderfully sweet story that I'll likely add to my re-read shelf for when I need a superpowered pick-me-up.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Royal dukes from rival countries, shipwrecked on a deserted island. The grudge match of the century—or a love story of super-heroic proportions?

Sander Fiala, Duke of Roses, is fourth in line to the South Abarran throne, even though his rogue power earned him the nickname “The Monster of Roses” and got him banished from the Castle. But right before he’s about to set off on his annual birthday sailing trip, the Queen asks him to meet with the notoriously volatile North Abarran Duke of Arles.

Tarik Jaso, Duke of Arles, expects the worst from people because—let’s face it—people are the worst. His superpower bombards him with any and all electronic transmissions, which…yeah, people suck. So when he’s attacked and wakes up in the cabin of a stranded boat, he knows he’s royally screwed. Because the man looming over him—the man he’d gone toe-to-toe with right before the attack—is the infamous Monster of Roses.

Tarik is positive the Monster is behind his kidnapping. Sander is sure the whole thing is Tarik’s fault. As they work toward rescue, Tarik realizes that the disturbingly hot Sander is no monster, and Sander discovers that Tarik’s temper masks a caring soul wrapped in a cantankerous (though undeniably sexy) body.

For their burgeoning connection to endure, they’ll have to duke it out with political factions, dark conspiracies, and centuries of traditions that keep them on opposite sides of the border.

But first? They have to get off this damn island.

Finding You: Voice Out Book 1, Stella Rainbow

Scott and Luke were incredibly sweet together when Luke's walls dropped.  With a difficult past that left scars both physical and mental it's no surprise that the relationship takes time to grow and I was glad the story focused on the growth rather than a cliche "sexual healing" scenario.  Luke needed time to learn trust and comfort and to find the strength within himself to progress beyond his past horror.

What I enjoyed most was the sweetness and tenderness that took precedence over sexual interest.  I'm all for a deliciously smutty story, but when dealing with trauma it's more important to heal the brain before jumping back into the sack, even if you never do make it there.  Scott's sexuality was almost too perfect for Luke, but that's actually a sweet way to write in a simplified journey for both men.  At the length of the story it was important not to overcomplicate things.  Luke's trauma is plenty.

The confrontation at the end was a little overdramatized, but nothing unbearable or out of the realm of possibility.  Overall this was a very good story that focused on healing, honesty, and how Scott and Luke forged a future together amidst trials.  With a supporting cast that really lifted the story I'm definitely interested in coming back for more from the series.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Luke:
It has been a year since I escaped my three years of hell. Twelve months, and yet I felt just as broken as I had all those months ago. I had a job now, a home and people who cared about me, and yet I was all alone in this darkness that surrounded me. My past haunted me day and night and there was no one who could protect me from it.

Until I met Scott.

Scott:
Losing every person I loved one after the other made me realise just how much loving someone could hurt. Without even realising, I made a decision to never love another person again, lest I lost them too. For years, my life revolved around studying and then working and the only person I was close to was my best friend, who wouldn't leave me alone, no matter what I tried. I was content to stay alone.

Until I met Luke.

A man shy of loving someone again and a man haunted by his past. Will they be able to help each other heal? Or will they just end up breaking each other?

Has Brady found his own match?

Meet Luke's friend Brady

as he helps Charlie find himself,

and maybe some love along the way.

 *Pre-order for $3.99 on Amazon

Brady:
I thought I was happy with my life. I have a successful business, an awesome found family, a dog who is a bigger princess than me and volunteer work that keeps me busy and satisfied when nothing else does.

I was content—and I'd thought I was happy, too—to live my life just like that. No mess. No one to demand things of me I wasn't willing to give. No complications.

But then I met Charlie.

Charlie:
For my whole life, I'd been sure I was destined to live a half-life, to hide a part of myself so I wouldn't lose the only two people I cared about. And I was resigned to my fate.

But when my dad died of a sudden heart attack, I realized life was too short to keep hiding. I moved to a new city, but I had no clue how to go about finding a part of myself that I'd buried so long ago.

And then I met Brady.

A man who is out and proud of who he is and a person who has spent their life hiding a part of themselves. Will they be able to forge a path together or would their differences end up pushing them away?

Gay Romance Holiday Collection, Keira Andrews

Eight Nights in December: 4 stars

Both MC's were soft and sweet as was their passion.  It was immature because of their age, but not in the way it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Both characters had a lot of growing to do and it's clear that they're given the best possible start with foundations of love, good family, and a faith system that provided tradition and community.  I do wish there had been an alternating POV, but Nate's issues and feelings were relatively obvious so I could forgive that.  Theirs was free of any external angst and the internal issues were rectified really quickly by well-meaning family so the overall feel of the story was light and fluffy.  The epilogue was absolutely perfect for them and showed an immense amount of family love, connection, and happiness that would be anything anyone could hope for.

In Case of Emergency: 3.5 stars

With a slow start and an unnecessary amount of meddling and ridiculousness from the would-be boyfriend, this wasn't my favorite of the bunch.  But then things started deepening and progressing between the MC's and then a whole load of sweetness came rushing in and really brought the story to a better place.  I think the demi bit was slightly contrived and simplistically explained, but other than that, the rest of the story flowed well and gave a great sense of connection between the men.  The ending was very sweet and just right for the MC's.

Santa Daddy: 4 stars

This was a cute story that had a lot of steam and I liked it all.  Getting to know both men and seeing how they changed and grew to become better men by the end as well as more settled was an absolute pleasure.  I even liked the interjected thoughts from Eric's perspective that helped Nick to come to terms with all that stretched him beyond his comfort zone.  It was snarky, tempting, and quite amusing at times.  With a couple of solid side characters to add depth and breadth to the story I was completely sold.

Where the Lovelight Gleams: 3 stars

Another family for the win.  These two MC's really need the support of family being stuck in the Hollywood spotlight.  The sexual chemistry between them really works, but the emotional one felt lacking.  I would have liked an alternating POV because there was quite a bit of internal conflict, withheld feelings, aborted sentiments, and rash reactions on both of their parts.  While the ending was very sweet and brought us full-circle, the lead-up was a bit rough and didn't give me the same lovely feelings I got with all the rest of the stories in this collection.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Wishing On a Dream: A Snow Globe Christmas Book 2, Michele Notaro

From start to finish there was magic everywhere. I enjoyed that it played a central role and to balance it out we got Alaric and Grady who really were ideal partners for one another.

I had no idea what to expect of Alaric, whether he would be the softer embarrassment or tender spot for the cruel father we first opened with or if he would be just as hard as his father. And after centuries locked in the snow globe of a cruel, vindictive witch, I had definitely expected him to be a jaded, hard man. What we were gifted with instead was a soft-hearted man who felt powerless and helpless stuck in an unfair prison. He was tender and sweet where he could have been callous and unfeeling. I loved that surprise.

As a partner for Alaric I think Grady was a good match. He was a little quirky, but so eager and deserving of love and care that he was what Alaric needed. A couple times I thought he was a little immature and dismissive, but those moments were so fleeting that they didn't stick as negative character traits. Grady was a good man on his own and was dealt a hard hand in love so he was ripe for the kind of affection Alaric could provide.

The drama in the story felt pretty focused and I appreciated that. With the exception of a couple other mages that distracted and pulled unnecessary focus at times yet also brought the chance of both healing and complications, the story remained on Alaric and Grady and the turmoil that ultimately brought them together. That that turmoil could tear them apart is where the difficult part of their journey came into play. I wish there had been more research on the part of the MC's and the grimoire or even just a bit more in seeing the thought processes going on so it didn't feel like the waiting was more like time dragging on with a decided lack of tension.

Despite that middle bit that didn't fit the general flow of the story, I quite enjoyed seeing the two men come together and build something uniquely theirs and so very deserved. Finding a life together that worked with the challenges of Alaric's legal and residency issues was something that could have proved unbelievable or difficult, but they navigated this quite well and seeing them blossom together throughout both the calm and the strain was wonderfully sweet. Their story was entertaining and had the feels to back it all up.

*$3.99 on Amazon

I can’t really complain about my life; I have a job I love and a best friend that fills the void of my nonexistent family, but sometimes I’m lonelier than I like to admit. Especially with the holiday season approaching, I can’t help but wish I had someone special to share it with. 

My friend gives me a snow globe with a man and a snowy owl inside, and for some bizarre reason, this man starts showing up every night when I close my eyes. It’s… not real, but I can’t seem to get the guy out of my head. It probably shouldn’t surprise me that my brain conjures up the perfect man in my dreams… well, almost perfect if he’d stop claiming to be a warlock. But the crazy thing is that all of it—that he—feels so real. 

When I start falling for the man, the warlock, I can’t help but wish that what we have in my dreams could be a reality. I know it can’t, but at least when I’m asleep, I can be with him—with Alaric.

Realize: Men of Hidden Creek Season 4 Book 2, Susan Hawke

Life can certainly be unpredictable, but for Parker it tore his world apart.  If not for his children and best friend, he might not have had the strength to survive it.  It didn't take long for me to admire both men and root for something wonderful between them.  Thankfully, they didn't disappoint with the depth and rightness of their changing relationship.

I didn't get a great sense of Max right at the start, other than his heart and his willingness to support his best friend, but when we first get into his head we see right away that he's never second-guessed his role in the lives of those that matter most to him.  Parker needed him, Cindy and Tommy needed him, so he stepped in and took the burden happily.  I admired that about him quite a lot.

And then there's Parker.  He struck me as both caring and strong right in the beginning despite having the rug pulled out from under him.  But when we see him again, he felt so very young and a little on the immature side.  Not the immaturity that comes from irresponsibility or selfishness, but from youth and inexperience.  He didn't regain his maturity and solidness until much later as his relationship with Max became something more.  Maybe it was because all the pieces were slotting together as they should be, or maybe it was just because his reaction to those changes was so smooth.

Their relationship was very slow-burn, but the explanation for that is rooted in sexual identity and the focus being on building a family rather than a sexual connection.  Even with the "educational" aspect of the sexuality discussion, it all felt like a pretty natural transition.  With no angst at all, I was wondering how the story and the couple were both going to progress, what kind of conflict would be used to give us some sort of tension or literary climax.  To be honest, the whole thing felt tame and mild, and that wasn't necessarily bad, it was just a longer and fluffier story than I was expecting.

Overall it was a nice change of pace and I learned to love all the sweetness, the tender way their family found stability, security, and happiness in the aftermath of so much grief.  Overcoming those difficulties was a bit overly simplistic though, yet it fit the lighter feel of the story.  Max gained everything he could ever want and Parker gained everything he could ever need.  Once again we see that Hidden Creek is the town where love is love and love is all.

*$3.99 on Amazon

“What we have can’t be faked.”

Max Jackson’s life is pretty close to perfect—except that he’s secretly in love with his straight best friend and roommate. He’s got his dream job and a family he secretly pretends are his own. But they aren’t… no matter how much he might wish it were true.

After the tragic death of his wife, Parker Wilson didn’t have time to wallow in grief—not when he had two young children to raise. He’s not looking for romance or a new partner. He doesn’t need one anyway… he has his life-long buddy Max to help him through every struggle.

When Parker loses his job and can’t afford his daughter’s pricey insulin, Max suggests fake marriage for insurance coverage. Since he’s already a second parent to Parker’s cute kids, it should be easy… until the marriage becomes a little too real.