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.

Follow Layla...

WEBSITE

GOODREADS

AMAZON

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

BOOKBUB

It's a Steal, Arden O'Keefe

I adored the premise and thought the beginning was quite cute with the complete opposites of the two mens' personalities, but it kind of quickly went off the rails and added a whole lot of elements and intrigue and drama that detracted from the whole overall feel.  Honestly this was a low 3 star, maybe even a 2.75 star book for me because of just how much was added to increase the conflict for no conceivable reason.  Manufacturing situations to make the story more interesting totally didn't work here.

What should have been a simple meet*cute between two men that had great reasons to discover more about one another through their individual differences alone devolved into cybercrime, family drama that was pretty much solved by one sisterly outburst that was one-sided and unfair as well as being overly simplistic, a rockstar that was actually a rocker with a respectable and enthusiastic fan base rather than a rock star, and a different family drama that was solved by a black hat hacker with a soft spot for a young man they hadn't spoken to in nearly a decade breaking silence and making actual contact so they could wave their magic wand and fix everything that was wrong.

It was just too much crazy with too little substance.  There were some nice moments, but timelines in the background snippets we got were confused and confusing, there was very little actual connection between the men, and way too much in-the-head explanations that basically told the story and not enough dialogue or depth driving the story.  So it was nice, just not my favorite.

*$4.99 on Amazon

*Prices accurate on date of posting*

Edric Wilcher has realized growing up that there are simply two things in this world he can never imagine his life without—music and coffee. This is the reason why he chooses the life of a famous rock star—at least, famous in his own small town, and then, goes ahead and opens up Rockstar’s Hideout Café. Every morning he serves his regulars and has a nice, long chat with them before they go back to their daily routine. His charms work wonders on them. Thanks to the good genes bestowed upon him, he doesn’t look half bad. So, it strikes him as odd that this new customer who walks in that morning carrying a heap of books doesn’t seem to even spare him a second glance.

“Coffee” is what he orders and Ed goes out of his way to make him feel special. But the redheaded nerd—okay, a cute nerd, probably cutest he’s seen in his life—just leaves with his books, leaving even the muffin-on-the-house completely untouched. The mystery surrounding this guy gets the best of Ed and when he finds a book left behind by this customer, he can’t help follow the trail to see him just one more time. Even if it is to get a name.

Dean Harrett has somehow misplaced the one thing that was supposed to help him out of his current problems—and that thing is not a cheesy, romance novel. What matters to him the most is what he’s kept in the book—the perfect plan that can make or break his future. And that book has gone now. Only if he can remember where he’s last seen that book…

Of course! The café, where that annoying barista just wouldn’t leave him alone so he had to leave.

But now Dean has to get back there and look for himself before anyone can lay their hands on it. He doesn’t even want to think about the worst-case scenario of someone finding out what he is up to. But this only means he will have to face the annoying, but handsome barista again. Ugh!

To celebrate Arden's debut release they have organized a MASSIVE giveaway!

Head over to Facebook to enter for you chance to win:

https://www.facebook.com/authorardenokeefe/posts/127174749062744

Amazon Gift Cards worth up to $200 and some amazing goodies are up for grabs!!!

"An enormous, gigantic THANK YOU everyone who has pre-ordered or purchased  IT'S A STEAL! This is a way of me showing how much I appreciate it. By following THREE easy steps (refer below), you stand a chance to win one of over TEN prizes!!!

I call this giveaway MASSIVE for a reason ... read on" -Arden O'Keefe

Here's what you're competing for -

❣️ A grand prize winner who'll receive $50 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen on September 1st, 2020)

❣️ 5 lucky winners who'll have a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen every Sunday in the month of AUGUST)

❣️ 2 lucky winners who'll receive $10 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen at random any time during the contest)

❣️ 1 lucky winner will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card

(Chosen at random at the end of the contest)

❣️ 1 lucky winner will receive a pack of amazing goodies!

(Chosen on September 1st, 2020)

Enter the contest in THREE easy steps over on Facebook -

Step 1: Like Arden's Facebook Page.

(Please note you will also be invited to my Facebook Group "The A-OK Squad")

Step 2: Fill out this Google Form: https://forms.gle/cYuEqk5GK7GGzQgv5

Step 3: Come back and tag AT LEAST 10 friends in your comment on the Facebook post HERE.

And that's it!

About Arden

Arden O’Keefe has several passions and reading is one of them. It is through reading the works of several loved authors that O’Keefe was inspired to craft out some personal creations. The muse never stops to motivate and that’s how the story of Edric and Dean just developed by itself. This is where O’Keefe begins the journey hoping that it doesn’t end anytime soon.

Follow Arden...

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

TWITTER

Rosavia Royals, Starling; Welch; Dawn; Rowan; Davies

*$4.99 each on Amazon

One royal ball + Five unexpected dates = A lifetime of love

This certainly wasn't what I was expecting, especially because I truly enjoy this author's other works.  You could probably fill the actual dialogue from the entire story onto merely a handful of pages and the rest was an incredible amount of stream-of-consciousness type of inner monologue that went on forever and ever.  The actual relationship bits were cute and I liked that Leo had his enlightening moments that were filled with actual feeling rather than just lusty thoughts and that Edvin finally found someone to love him for himself and to care for him as he lives to care for others.  I can't say I was drawn to either man from the beginning, but I had a lot of hope that things would get better.  Overall the world was interesting, the ending was wonderful, and there were some really good feels, but it just wasn't up to par with what this author can actually create.  Up for Heir, Stella Starling - 3 stars. 

I enjoyed the way Cassander and Matty worked things out because while I detest the secrets that cause misunderstandings and hurt, it's how they work things out that make the difference.  Cassander is under a lot of pressure and most of it is his own making despite the selfishness of his brothers and a fling with Matty what wholly unexpected, but exactly what he needed.  His tenderness and care for and of Matty was endearing as was the way he sincerely apologized for the hurt his secrets caused.  Matty was a bit more simplistic for me, like he was almost too good and also a bit immature.  He wasn't a badly written character at all, he was exactly what Cassander needed, he was just a bit stereotypical in his goodness and forgiveness.  Overall though it was a sweet story that fit well with the series.  Reign or Shine, HJ Welch - 3.5 stars.

The overall story was very sweet, especially once they finally opened their mouths and vocalized their feelings and their misunderstandings of the years past.  Although that's also when the puns became a little too ridiculous for me and took the humor down a notch.  With a bit of conniving meddling from certain royals and a whole lot of nastiness from Rosavia's favorite reporter, their journey back together was a little more rocky than they expected, but when they found the courage to be honest with not only one another, but with the royals that had their best interests at heart, everything slotted together as it was always meant to be.  I do wish there hadn't been so much of the waffling back and forth and the extremely repetitive thoughts of "he must know, how can he not know?  I suppose it's best to not say anything and just show him."  I mean, if it didn't work in the past, why would it work now?  Communication, people, would have solved a whole lot of issues.  But then the story would be shorter...though I can't say that would be a bad thing, in my opinion.  Throne Together, Zoe Dawn - 3.5 stars.

Even though Ben came off like the layabout prince with a severe lack of decorum or respect, he was so much more than that and I genuinely liked him in this story.  He was the brother nearly everyone forgot about and until Felix, he was likely going to remain in the shadows avoiding his loneliness.  Felix was his match, but I didn't like him at all until maybe the last third of the book because he was whiny, easily offended, defensive, and hurtful all because he felt insecure.  Ben gave heartfelt and sincere apologies as well as feeling confessions and there's only one memorable one from Felix.  Well, maybe two, but that's because Ben stole the show with the epilogue and Felix's response was appropriately commensurate to Ben's offer.  My favorite part was following along with Ben on his escape as well as finally seeing Felix become the man he was supposed to be under the loving support Ben willingly gave him.  In His Court, Max Rowan - 3.5 stars.

The beginning and lead-in was really very good with just enough anticipation to make you want more and the pleasure of seeing Wren find himself in the gardens when the original edict brought him so low.  The prospect of if and when along with growth was just what I'd hoped for with this story.  While some of those more steamy bits took a back seat to the ulterior motives of a footman with a grudge and concerned family, their relationship went through the requisite testing necessary to prove just how permanent both Wren and Thom needed it to be.  Wren truly grew into himself and his role and I was most charmed by how he literally blossomed under both the guidance from Thom and the determination in his horticultural endeavors.  This was my favorite of the series.  Barely Regal, E. Davies - 4 stars.

Surrender: Wrecked Book 2, Kelly Fox

Jake and Jean-Pierre have a memorable meet-cute only to find that there's a whole lot that could keep them from grasping every happiness together.  When Jake's past and their individual mental and emotional health combine it could spell disaster for their budding relationship, but with determination, patience, a fantastic community, and a bit of bedroom spice, they just might find the key to everything they've ever hoped for.

This dealt with a few heavy topics and quite a bit of attention was focused on it.  I definitely thought it was important to be thorough in discussing exactly what was going on mentally for Jake so we could understand just what stood between him and the world he could have with Jean-Pierre.  That intention meant well, but the execution became long and drawn out and quite repetitive after a while.  It dominated the entire story and rather than letting Jake become who he was supposed to be, there was a whole lot of telling and no evolution until nearly the end of the story.

There was a bit of a subplot dealing with Jake's past and how he became the way he was and it was a big surprise confrontation at the end that wrapped that up.  The villain was a surprise, but the whole scene was kind of a jumble that didn't work for me.  A lot of build-up within the scene for both Jake and the situation itself and the actual action felt disjointed and unsatisfying for all the anticipation.

In terms of the more intimate encounters, there wasn't a whole lot of that and what we got was a very loose application of their shared interests that wasn't given enough attention to feel right and grounded.  This could likely have been solved by more objective streamlining.  Having their needs mentioned in the synopsis and then to have so little attention given to it in the story itself was a bit of a miss for me.  I think it just needed a better overall balance.  A better balance between PTSD, romantic progress, and character evolution was definitely needed.

The positives were the overall attitude of Jean-Pierre.  His insistence that Jake is his heart's home was so incredibly sweet and I loved his determination to give Jake everything he needed.  And combining that with his honesty about his own struggles gave him a genuineness that was a bright spot in the story.  The other huge bonus of this story was the community of Wrecked.  I'm crazy about all these men and the safe environment they've created for everyone.

I liked the story as a whole, it just needs a bit more work to be great in my opinion.  There are quite a few characters that I'm incredibly interested in and will likely be back for more, and I may even jump back to Sanctuary to dive in from the beginning.  As a series I find this quite enjoyable, as an individual story, it likely isn't the best representation of either the author's work or the overall series' intentions.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Dark cloud, meet seven-foot wall of sunshine.

We’ve been friends for almost a year, we both volunteer at my brother-in-law’s gym for combat vets, and the chemistry between us is undeniable. So, getting together should be a no brainer, right?

Yeah, not so much.

Pairing up the joyful refugee NBA hero with me—the grumpy wanna-be artist who cracks jokes about being waterboarded—has got to be the mother of all bad ideas.

An even worse idea? Let’s add a splash of kink to the mix.

We’re all going to need a little therapy after this.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 45

  

• The Prince and his Bedeviled Bodyguard: Book 1, Charlie Cochet
• Evergreen, Geneva Vand
• A Swants Soiree, E.J. Russell

Short, sweet, and full of snarky feline and sappy wolf. Owin began as quite grating for me with his constant arrogance and prickly nature. It went beyond normal feline prickliness and I wasn't a fan. I immediately loved Grimm's general happy, wolfy attitude that was a perfect foil for Owin's more annoying traits. But it was Owin's turnaround that seemed so genuine because of his self-reflection that had me changing my mind about him. Everything was on a truncated timeline due to the story length, but that didn't bother me one bit. For such a short story I think it was well-rounded in the character growth and development department. It had enough sweetness, passion, and humor to give me everything I really needed from the genre and promise in the premise. What really drew me in besides Grimm was the obvious story we'll be getting about the King and the Earl. That's one I'm definitely sticking around for. And to know that the next story will be about a semi-reclusive bear? Those are my favorite. So yeah, this story's ability to make me change my mind so completely about a character combined with all the good stuff that's being hinted at makes me a happy camper and an eager reader of the series.  4 stars.

Fantastical and sweet, this story was full of heart and magic set in a simplistic world.  Aside from being overly descriptive at times, there was incredible detail that brought the world to life for me.  There was a lot to be charmed by when it came to the relationship between Kym and Gabe.  They were soft, sweet, and a little awkward which made their slower-build romance quite endearing and believable despite this being a fantasy story.  Their affection was built on a whole lot more than attraction and magic and went far deeper than I expected.  When it came time to face the real world I felt both of their tentative natures worked to their detriment and was extremely glad when a solution was found.  Even better was that it was Ashley who came up with the plan to end the moping.  She went from being a stubborn patient to the problem solver and I could really see her independence and growth.  Her role wasn't merely one to bring Gabe to the presence of a dragon, but to set in motion everything necessary to keep them together.  Strong women abound in this short tale and it rounded out this wonderfully sweet story.  4 stars.

We get Brent's POV in this incredibly short, yet sweet story.  There are only hints at desired steam along with some vivid flashes of fantasy, but otherwise this is an incredibly tame tale.  With swants to bring them together, there's a very cute story to go with their meet-cute, but I definitely didn't get enough.  I didn't really find their connection to hold any weight and with Jonathan's evasions and virtually no confessions of feels, it was barely a romantic novella at all for me.  I love this author so I can really see this story going father and becoming something really awesome though, so it's something I'd be willing to hold out for in the future because the MC's really did have a ton of potential as did the cute story line.  4 stars.

After the Crash: Small Town Hearts Book 1, Emma Alcott

Gah!  I'm not blind to some of the issues in the story, but I just don't really care in the end.  Marshall is quirky and nerdy and so strong.  Fox is vulnerable, suffering, and yet so determined.  Together they are definitely hot, incredibly sweet, and so perfect for one another.  Their journey wasn't easy, they had incredibly difficult moments, but what struck me was how truly together they were.  From the decision to be together until the end, they were one another's support, strength, and friend.  They fought and overcame all that was thrown at them.

The opening of the story set the scene for the kind of lives both Marshall and Fox were forced to live through and where they might go from there.  It wasn't an easy scene to "watch", but it gave insight into both boys, mostly Fox, and background to the men we are re-introduced to later.  When we dive into their adult stories it's clear that while one thrived, the other suffered, predictably the opposite of what we first saw in the prologue.  What was fantastic to me was the role reversal of savior.  It was absolutely fitting for who both men had become in their decade of separation.

Struggling with PTSD is exactly that, a struggle, and there is no cure.  What I liked about how it was included here was that the road to any kind of recovery isn't linear and Fox's wasn't any exception.  I would have liked some resolution to his relationship with his mother because the genesis of his and Marshall's meeting as adults was directly related to that.  It was left hanging while everything else was wrapped up nicely in a big rainbow colored ribbon.

The GFY trope can sometimes be unbelievable because many can argue that that doesn't really exist, to all-of-a-sudden be attracted to one and only one person of the same sex when there was no intimation of attraction at any other moment in life.  I just don't care.  Sexuality isn't ever truly clear for anyone because there are so many nuances.  In this case, I think there was a hint before about a feature that Fox appreciated and even another mention in his thoughts of recognition so it didn't bother me that he hadn't had any other "hands on" experience before Marshall.  I loved that he did all the thinking first and kept it all in perspective of his respect for life and in direct relation to his own happiness since that had been all but non-existent beforehand.  So once he was in he was all-in...metaphorically and literally =].

His chemistry with Marshall was definitely hot.  It served as a fantastic counterpoint to their nerdiness, the drama brewing with Sam, and their stability together to deal with all that mess.  Everything regarding that was wrapped up very nicely in a way that wasn't completely predictable, but not so out of the blue that it gave pause to the story's flow.  With an incredibly sweet and tender ending I was extremely pleased in the overall evolution of the story.  I'm absolutely a fan of the author's other works and under this new pen name you can guarantee I'll be in for a whole lot more, especially of this series in particular.

*$4.99 on Amazon!

Rule #1 Straight military men will always be straight, no matter how much you wish otherwiseRule #2 Being a billionaire won’t change that (probably)

Rule #3 The whole thing between you when you were in high school? It was only fantasy

Rule #4 One-sided fantasy

Rule #5 God, how great would it be if it was a two-sided fantasy?

Rule #6 Okay, getting off track

Rule #7 Hiring your hot high school crush is totally okay

Rule #8 If you don’t let your feelings get in the way, everything will be fine

Marshall Lloyd is about to be very not fine. Not only is his high school crush back in his life, but he’s matured into a gruff, brooding, drop-dead-gorgeous specimen of a man that makes Marshall’s wet dreams seem about as exciting as drying paint. The only problem: Fox Fraser, the individual in question, is straight.

Super straight.

The kind of straight that would make a ruler jealous.

But if what Marshall sees when he looks in Fox’s eyes is to be believed, he’s broken, too. There are scars inside of him that no one notices. No one but Marshall. It’s not wrong to want to help him, is it? To hire him to take care of things around the house so he can get back on his feet? It’s just work. Work that leads to lingering looks. To prolonged touches. To… mmph. It’s better not to think about it. Marshall’s fantasies aren’t real. A guy like Fox would never pin him to a wall and do things to him like that.

Maybe.

Probably.

Right?

Killer Queen: Crazy Little Thing Book 2, Serene Franklin

Amusing, difficult, sexy, detestable.  I'm having a hard time with this review.  I did get through the whole story, read right until the end and through the epilogue.  If I went with my first instinct to DNF about halfway through I would have stayed sour on this book.  But since I read to the end and found sweetness, honesty, and feelings, I'm a little less sour even though I really, really don't want to be.

Fidelity is something that I must have in real life, books, movies, anime, manga...doesn't matter.  If there's cheating or even a hint of cheating, I'm done, physically ill, bothered for days.  It doesn't work for me and it never makes me want to keep learning about the characters fooling around whether on purpose or by accident.  In Mac and Dubhlainn's case, they're clear and upfront about non-exclusivity and we get details about Mac's encounters sometimes that turn my stomach because I'm wondering when they'll ever get on the same page and if Mac will ever become serious about Dove.  When they do, I believe it but I don't like it.

When Mac first blurts out his newfound curiosity/obsession I found it kind of cute because it fit his character so well.  I was expecting more of that as the story went on, but instead we get so much bottling, denial, ignoring, and sleeping around because he couldn't commit.  And for Dove to find someone else because he's jealous and petty and both of them going through the night "competing" because of those same things...ugh, no respect.

I just...I'm just sick thinking about how little care, how little emotion, how little monogamous thought went on for so damn long in this story.  I hated that.  Were they sweet to one another once hearts were shared?  Yeah.  Did we get a lot of that?  No.  The story was really about sex.  Sex with others, sex with one another...so very little depth for the characters and their relationship that I wasn't invested.  I finished for the sake of finishing, hoping that it wasn't just my colored view because of my own experiences.  I don't think it is.  I'm not wowed by the men, their love, or the story overall.

There were some high points and that was the seriously sexy steam, Mac's grandmother, and Maxim.  When g-ma's are cool and loving I'm a fan.  I think if Maxim gets his own story I'll definitely jump on reading it because there's something incredibly intriguing about him.  Aside from that, I just am not convinced by the story and can't honestly recommend it to anyone with my kind of sensibilities.  Was it a bad story?  Probably not, if you're not me, but since I can only be me, I'll leave it here and simply say, the book wasn't for me.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Mac

I’m the kind of guy you can always count on. When my best friend and former roommate—who up and ditched me in favor of his boyfriend—needs a favor, I don’t hesitate to help any way I can. This most recent favor landed me with a moody Irish university student for a roommate. With his long copper-red hair and blue eyes, he’s too damn cute for his own good—which is saying a lot considering I’m straight.

Thing is, he kinda hates me. Crazy, right? I shouldn’t care as much as I do, and I definitely shouldn’t let it bother me. Alas, here I am, caring and letting it bother me. I want him to like me, although I’m not quite sure why.

Dubhlainn

Insufferable. My new flatmate is insufferable. Between his loud, cheesy music, stupid assumptions, and flippant attitude, he annoys me. He also has this ridiculous aversion to wearing clothes around the flat, which wouldn’t be so bad if he weren’t so bloody attractive. It’s hard to remember to hate him when his perfect arse is within view.

Going after straight guys is nothing but trouble, and I’m smart enough to avoid that. Besides, I’d rather not mess up another living arrangement, and sex always makes things complicated—not that I’m thinking about sex.

Falling for His Scars: Soldiers Support Group Book 3, Jamie June

The most painful scars aren't always the ones we carry on our skin.  Often it's the ones buried beneath that can rob us of our happiness, confidence, our future.  For Kevin, he's tired of the consequences of his job and his last deployment was rough.  Dealing with the fallout brings him closer to James, the young man he's always felt comfortable with, but moving from friends to lovers isn't easy and both men make a bunch of mistakes along the way.  Their story isn't an easy one.

Again with all the words.  I like the stories, for sure, but it just takes so long to sink in, to get lost in them, that I admit I don't jump in with both feet.  In this particular story, it starts out with a lot of buddy-buddy discussion, a bit more concealed feelings than previously recognized, and a couple events that change their dynamic in pretty drastic ways.  Neither man snags my attention as more than pleasant people that have some internal damage that will have to be addressed before anything romantic can really stick.

Their romance is fraught with saying and doing the wrong things with the right intentions.  At almost every turn both take the role of someone immature, reactionary, and unreasonable.  It was a little much at times, especially at the beginning of their change and again in the lead up to the huge accident that could destroy everything.  I was absolutely not expecting what happened to happen.  You think it's just something "simple" like overbearing family and careers that get in their way, but it becomes so, so, SO much more.  I'm actually still on the fence as to whether I'm okay with what happened, whether it was necessary or not.

Despite my reservations at the big conflicts and drama, I had a lot of things that I did like.  And Kevin's therapist?  She was straightforward, honest, and said all the right things.  She's one of the only therapists in a story that I've actually liked.  Kevin and James together were sexy, sweet, and ended with a ton of forward, hopeful planning.  They really were meant to be even if their journey was immensely difficult.

*$4.99 on Amazon

I'm not sure about anything anymore. Except him.

I tried so hard to join the military, but they didn't want me. Asthma. So I settled for being a military contractor instead. 

I've done well at it, too. But this last deployment... it was hard. Really hard. And I'm not sure I want to go through something like that again. 

I've got a friend - James. Younger man. Hot as hell, too. But I'm not sure about him, either. I keep finding myself wanting more - but does he? And even if he does, we're in two different places. Young buck like him, he's only started his career in the Army, while I'm ready to figure out what it means to have a home. 

Can we really make this work? Or will his overbearing parents and active duty career be the pressure points that tear us apart?

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.