Little Infinities: Love by Chance Book 1, Kiska Gray

Full warning, there is another partner.  True, Seb and Apollo aren't technically together when it happens, but it is after they have their weekend of sex and true connection.  When I read what Apollo did I felt sick and nearly gave up reading.  I even teared up.  I truly can't stand MC's that do that; it gouges out a scab I have in my heart for denying your soul what it needs, who it needs, and in the case of Apollo and Sebastian, there are no two souls that need one another more.  And seriously, it was only the next day that Apollo went out and slept with someone.  Not even a week later it was Sebastian who made the grand gesture to get them back on track.  I wasn't a fan of that at all.

But...I was glad I stuck with it.  The story was sweet with a whole lot of tenderness and steam to match.  The conflict wasn't in Apollo's actions after their big weekend, it was Apollo's fear and insecurities.  That was handled pretty well, but we didn't really get anywhere with it as it was basically just a constant companion and filled most of his thoughts whenever he reflected on his relationship with Sebastian.  I can't say there was any true healing, but he did come to accept everything Sebastian offered him and that it wasn't a misguided or mistaken desire, Sebastian truly wanted Apollo for everything he was and wasn't.  He just wanted him, in all that that meant.

Sebastian was easy to love right from the start, with his passion, open heart, honesty, and earnest desire for a settled and happy life.  There were times that I skimmed through his inner dialogues because they were a bit repetitive, but other than that he remained the same all the way through the story.  I think that was really what worked for this story even though it made it a little on the simple side.  There were no huge conflicts, the characters basically opened their eyes and hearts to a future with one another, and everything ended with happiness and a puppy.  If you were expecting complexity and angst, this isn't really going to give that to you.  It was simple and effective where we begin with a moment that saved two souls and ended with those two souls forging an intertwined future.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Apollo

On my darkest day, a handsome stranger saved me, but one look into his eyes and I knew he was broken, too.  I promised myself that one day, I'd find him and thank him, but what do you do when your savior turns out to be rock god Sebastian St. Crow?

I'm about to find out.

Sebastian

On my darkest day, I found someone who needed help maybe even more than I did.  Someone whose pain echoed mine, and in that moment, I'd wanted to save him.  I gave him a second chance--bit forgetting the beautiful young man with those haunted eyes was next to impossible.

I can have anyone I want, but I want him...and I think he wants me, too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

*$4.99 on Amazon

Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wolfe?

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

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

Arctic Sun: Frozen Hearts Book 1, Annabeth Albert

 

With incredibly difficult pasts individually it's no wonder that together they had trouble.  River and Griff had chemistry, that's for sure, and when they finally acted on it there was all kinds of steam and promise.  It didn't stay promising, however, when insecurities and frustrations were tested by pressure and weakness.

I struggled with this story, but was also very moved.  The topics were so difficult to tackle and I appreciated the way Annabeth wrote about them.  Eating disorders and sobriety are tricky because the responses, triggers, and causes vary from person to person and can even vary throughout the day for some.  What I appreciated most was that the necessary recovery and plans for dealing with it in the future were up to each individual and they didn't end up in a codependent mess trying to save one another from bad decisions.  It took a very hurtful day together to see that things couldn't continue as they were.  Only after they got themselves, mostly River, back on track with healthy habits and support did they make their way back to one another.

This story was tough to get through as it wasn't what I expected, it was better, but it had to hurt for it to be truly appreciated.  Griff and River worked it out after hard work, painful adjustments, and a whole lot of honesty.  A rocky beginning, a devastating middle, and a triumphant ending marked this story and I am so on board for it and the rest of the series.

*$4.99 on Amazon

He’s built a quiet life for himself in Alaska. But it doesn’t stand a chance against the unrelenting pull of a man who’s everything he shouldn’t want.

Ex-military mountain man Griffin Barrett likes his solitude. It keeps him from falling back into old habits. Bad habits. He’s fought too hard for his sobriety to lose control now. However, his gig as a wildlife guide presents a new kind of temptation in superhot supermodel River Vale. Nothing the Alaskan wilderness has to offer has ever called to Griffin so badly. And that can only lead to trouble…

River has his own methods for coping. Chasing adventure means always moving forward. Nobody’s ever made him want to stand still—until Griffin. The rugged bush pilot is the very best kind of distraction, but the emotions he stirs up in River feel anything but casual, and he’s in no position to stay put.

With temptation lurking in close quarters, keeping even a shred of distance is a challenge neither’s willing to meet. And the closer Griffin gets to River, the easier it is to ignore every last reason he should run.

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.