Out for the Holidays, Cara Dee

Yes, the stars are huge on this post.  Why?  Because there aren't enough stars!!!  I loved this story!  There was so much in the way of humor, hotness, honesty, confrontations, snark, heart, love, sexiness, sexy times, revelations, settling, growing, feels...  Just pure awesome.  I can't tell you how many times I had to turn my head into the pillow to laugh or squee so I wouldn't wake up my kids or husby since most of my uninterrupted reading takes place at night.  I didn't want to be interrupted and was so glad I wasn't because it allowed me to read the book twice, that's right, twice.  So tired the next day, but so worth it.

We got to know Zach and Henry really well in Out and that's where I first fell in love with them.  Henry's tenderness, nurturing, affection, care, concern, and sexiness.  Zach's exuberance, acceptance, growth, change, love, boldness, devotion, and humor.  Together they make such a perfect pair with neither one more or less than the other.  They're sweet and genuine and hot together.  My review for that book goes into a bunch more detail so this review might not really be spoilers for Out but it's way better to have read that book first.

Zach is finally getting to spend time with Henry and his family for Christmas.  His career is taking off and is becoming so much that he wants to make some serious changes.  With some decisions made after Henry's input and concern he's ready for his well-earned down time.  Until Brooklyn calls.  Cancún for December would be anyone's idea of an awesome vacation but for Zach it's so not welcome.  Until Henry says he'll make it worth his while...

A beach paradise is turning out to be a great diversion for them and Zach takes a few chances with his job and it pays off allowing him to be more genuine in his delivery and career in general.  Things are looking up!  And then Joseph inserts himself, yet again, between them.

I was expecting snark, I was expecting drama, I was expecting fireworks.  What I wasn't expecting, was quiet, subtle, calm honesty.  What I wasn't expecting was a witnessed scene in the bedroom.  What I wasn't expecting was the perfection of the moment.

With the Joseph chapter finally, mostly, at an end we get a bunch of family moments that bring us even deeper into their lives.  Mattie and his struggles with school and something else that he's not ready to talk about, Zach's magnificent snark in Ty's defense, helping out at the shelter, Zach's confession about family expansion, Henry's moment during their walk after dinner with Martin, Martin and Nan in the kitchen with sherry...  All of it brings us into their lives, their hearts, and we never want to leave.

“I shrugged and grinned. I’m a power slut for you, man.”

“That’s priceless,” Julian laughed.

I finally got Henry to crack a smile, even as he tried really hard not to.

“I think that may have been the sweetest thing I’ve ever said.” I bit into a piece of buffalo chicken and licked some sauce off the corner of my mouth. “I need that printed on a T-shirt.”

“Are you high, Zach?” Noah chuckled.

“No, I’m in love, dude!” I exclaimed. “This chicken is really good too.”

Henry let out an affectionate laugh.

“Anyway.” I waved a hand. “Enough about my sluttitude. Anyone up for some Christmas shopping tomorrow?”

The warmth, love, and transcendence of happiness makes you want to stay in their orbit just to soak up a little of their awesomeness.  They really are the best family to read about.  And when they spice things up with a couple little blue pills?  Or maybe a toke in a hot tub?  Or perhaps a sleepy re-connection of bodies, kinks, and hearts?  5 stars and about a bajillion of those eggplant and heart and happy and winky face emojis too.

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One-click this story right now!

Buy it, buy it now.  You know you want to.  You won't regret it.

No, honest, you won't, it's so worth it!

But maybe, more like positively, you should start by getting to know the awesomeness that is Zach and Henry from the start...

So here's OUT for your reading pleasure...

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An M/M Christmas, episode 4

  

• Christmas Can Kiss My Dickens, Hunter Frost
• Unexpected Christmas, Nell Iris
• Christmas Cookies, CL Mustafic

Such an interesting twist with Tiny Tim becoming the grouch and Scrooge on the other side of the haunting.  There wasn't really a ton in the way of character development, just some basics that were enough to let us know who these people were and how this story wasn't exactly what we were expecting.  That being said, we got to see something pretty sweet developing between Henry and Tim.  While I wouldn't say I'm invested in these men and their HEA, I will say that they were interesting and I liked how Tim's physical abilities/disabilities were handled.  There was an element of reality there that made me like the story a bit more.  It was a little confusing when we had the hospital part and I had to re-read the scene to understand what was going on with the did he or didn't he bit, but aside from that, the story progressed pretty smoothly and the romance was a good start.  My favorite thing about the story was really Tiny Tim's change from the normal Dickensian role.  The story overall was fairly average with good points and bland points.  3 stars.

This was short, sweet, and a bit saucy.  The steam was low and the feels were surprisingly high for such a short story.  Daniel is caught in the sleet after storming out of his mother's house because of a homophobic bigot of an uncle who can't seem to ever shut his mouth to stem the tide of vitriol which seems to never end.  He flags down a truck and instantly regrets his impulsiveness because he now has the attention of a menacing giant of a man with gauges, tattoos, and muscles upon muscles.  Blurting the first thing that comes to mind certainly sets him up for being abandoned or worse but to his surprise he gets a great big laugh instead.  Axel is always being taken for a serial killer or something just as disturbing because of how he looks.  He knows this but it doesn't make it any easier every time he hears it.  Daniel, however, has a way of being amusing rather than offensive in this instance though, and he's drawn to the saucy soaking man who's likely to freeze to death in the very near future.  Family drama brings them to the door of the most adorable four year old and the evening holds something wondrous for both men.  It's the start of their very own forever.  I really enjoyed this story despite it's super short length and lack of steam.  The story was way more sweet than anything with a side of a foul mouth and snap judgments.  When Daniel softens and gives in to Axel's draw he's in for the happiness of a lifetime.  4 stars.

I was hoping for more.  I liked the premise of the story quite a lot and I liked the characters at first.  Their meet-cute was sufficiently cute and awkward both times, but soon after things started going downhill for the couple.  So much animosity and frustration with so many characters.  I understand reluctance and hesitation, especially when it comes from grief, keeping two people from progressing together, but when Russ finally begins to move forward he does so pretty well.  I also don't think that the coffee shop meet up was out of line, he's trying to get to know Amos but Amos' snark was more than just snark, it was rude and standoffish.  Why should Russ continue with someone who won't at least try to answer basic questions and get to know the guy they're crushing hard on?  I mean, I know he wanted to hold his personal drama back, but it literally never comes out of Amos' mouth in the entire story.  And then for Simon to give Russ attitude after the lunch not-date where he avoided Amos for good reason, I was so freaking annoyed.  It's all good to look out for Amos but to push his unkind opinion onto Russ in the way he did was overboard.  And then Amos' constant jumping to conclusions without wanting to talk about things or listen to Russ at all...yeah, not a fan.  And for one big apology in front of family to make things all better?  Not believable.  So overall it's a good idea for a story but Amos was far from a great character for me.  2.5 stars.

Hunter, H.J. Perry

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this book.  There are elements that are interesting and I liked the idea of fated lovers finding their way back to one another time and time again, but there were a few too many issues for me to just enjoy the story.

Pip really had it hard.  An awkward gay boy in a small town with a desire for more.  We know what that more is, but he doesn't and his searching makes him look beyond the borders of the town.  On graduation night he's excited for the opportunity to leave and knows he'll have a lot of work ahead of him to afford college, but despite the pressure that puts on him, he's grateful to be on to the next step of his journey.  Except there are those in his class that will do anything they can to keep him from achieving that dream.  Bullies are no joke and these are some serious bullies.  Tying him to a tree in the middle of some creepy-as woods is disturbing on so many levels.  What could have ended in tragedy actually began his true journey.

Hunter, or really, The Hunter, is only given this name.  He finds the trussed-up Pip and frees him, in so doing they spark the bond they have and Pip gets a small glimpse of the "more" he was searching for.  It takes quite a while for things to work out and that "more" isn't what he thought it would be, but all's well that ends well, right?

In general, I'd say yes.  But there are some issues I have with the story.  The Hunter never gets a name even after they sort things out between them.  He's a complete mystery from start to finish and all we get is that he's passionate, loyal, and will always be Pip's in every way no matter how many years, decades, or centuries separate them.  Nice sentiment, but Pip doesn't remember his past life so his draw is real but the foundation for everything from here on out is super questionable.

There are also a lot of unanswered questions that move things into the series in general but it's more that there are issues left hanging rather than laid out in a way that makes me want to read the series to get the answers.

Overall the story was fine, but I'm not really sold on the series or invested in any of the characters or the town to continue reading beyond Hunter.  So while my rating here is a 2.5, I'll be rounding down on review sites because I didn't really enjoy the story enough to give it the "I liked it alright" 3 star rating.

*Find out if you agree or disagree with my review

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Omega's Gift: Hood Ridge Omegas, Reegan Lynch

Coming to a conclusion we see the fates of two alphas who have fallen deeply for enemy omegas and two omegas who have discovered truth, support, and love in the arms and the pack of two fiercely protective and strong alphas.  There is also a war knocking on their doors.  Struggling under the weight of it all is the quiet Cecil and the pack alpha Mal.  

Ira had his struggles in the beginning and made his choice to be with Mal, choosing love over blood, so he's had a bit of time to come to terms with all the changes.  Cecil, however, is a bit newer and was also under the influence of his twin.  The burden Cecil carries is quite heavy.  He's finding something special with Luke, someone to share the yoke with if he would just find the courage to confess everything.  The truth is outed for him, though, when Cyril doggedly pursues Jed and Ezekiel's plans that ultimately end in his death.  And now Cecil might have to pay the price of their sins and secrecy.

Mal has the fate of his entire pack on his shoulders with the upcoming war as well as the lives of his mate and their unborn child to consider when he has the news dropped on his doorstep of wolfsbane in the water supply.  Rage overcomes him and he almost makes a choice that would cost him his best friend, pack alpha's second, and a friend and ally.  With the help of his mate he's able to breathe and consider not just the consequences of the betrayal but also the consequences of a more humane and merciful action.

This is certainly quite intense...but not exactly in the way we're expecting.  At the end of Omega's Heart there's a hell of a cliffhanger centering on Cyril and Cecil.  I was thinking we'd jump right in with that and while we did, it didn't play out how I thought it would.  We see Cecil's pain, fear, devastation, and his honesty.  While dealing with the death of Cyril he's confessing to his part in Ezekiel's plotting and fully expects a quick judgment and a painful death for endangering the entire pack.  Luke's interference makes it not so quick, but it's Ira's interference that I was impressed with.  He was obviously in danger and especially vulnerable to the particular attack the twins were supposed to carry out and yet he saw clearly what was going on, who was going to regret which actions, and that he was the only one who would be able to diffuse the situation for the moment.  His wisdom and observation allowed everyone to take a breath so cooler heads could prevail.

All of that strength seems to fail him just when he'll need it most.  When war finds them and Mal, Luke, and every other able bodied shifter in the Three Rivers pack go to fight for their families and lives Ira finds himself in a situation he wasn't exactly prepared for.  Labor.  Even with the ideal midwife and the support of Cecil he straight up loses his shit.  With no other choice Cecil leaves the safety of the bunker to retrieve Mal.  If he fails the chances are very high that both Ira and his child won't survive the birth.  So with that heavy responsibility he heads to the front lines.  On the way to Mal he finds Luke and his instincts to protect his mate, his love, combine with what he knows of Hood Ridge's fighting practice to get the jump on the enemy.  He finds an immense strength within him as he protects what's his.

As things find their both tragic and triumphant conclusion it's with the sorrow of loss and the joy of a new future that they move forward.  Cecil and Luke, Ira and Mal.  Love and a wedding keep happiness as the focus for how the packs will combine and move forward.

I liked the intensity and the conclusion which was hopeful, happy, and humorous as both couples indulge in their passions.  The big war was kind of touched on in moments but there wasn't one big battle scene for us to read, the focus instead was on the struggle for Ira.  Whether that focus was good because it was the more important part of the fight or because it was easier to write that than a full-out war, I'm not sure.  What I do know about it is that I like how it gave Cecil the opportunity to do what he had never done before and succeed.  It allowed him to rise above what he was always content with before and to employ all the strength and intelligence that was inside him his whole life but never got the chance to use.

Everything came together for a sweet conclusion that spoke of peace, unity, and happiness.    I'm a little sad that it's over because I want to see more of Mal with Ira and Luke with Cecil, especially with their growing families.  The story was good by itself and was a fitting conclusion for the series.

*Get caught up in the hope and love of the series' conclusion

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Lodging the Alpha's Omega, Emma Knox

This was book had an interesting premise.  An omega doing his best to avoid any situation with a selfish, arrogant, lust-crazed alpha because of his past.  An alpha running his business and is successful, kind, strict, focused, and tiring of the game and would like to find his fated mate.  Unexpectedly meeting because of a booking error sets them on the course of discovering, bonding, and setting in motion a possible war between packs.

When everything plays out, though, it's not as interesting as I was hoping.  The book was fine and there were some highlights like an independent, confident, strong omega.  Steven was an individual and though hurt in his past, he's willing to look at the facts and sees that Drake promises nothing he's unwilling to follow through with.  He's also intelligent and resourceful and passionate.  He uses his brain to find a solution to the mess Drake's excitement and avoidance caused.

Drake himself was another highlight because he's strong yet doesn't dominate others.  He's level-headed and takes his duty as a partner and alpha seriously when it comes to Steven.  It certainly doesn't hurt that he's a hottie with a soft heart.

The plot itself had too many things to feel fluid and consistent.  There was the romance plot, which was fine and to enhance it there should have only been one other issue surrounding them.  Instead we have the chaos of heat season, inter-pack relations due to the bonding as well as not bonding with others, work drama for Steven, a kidnapping, pregnancy and health issues...there was just too much to stay focused on what really mattered.  Then there was the random archaic language structure used when Drake diffuses a situation in the lobby.  That wouldn't normally be a big deal, it was just pretty jarring because the way everyone spoke throughout the entire rest of the book didn't match.  It was like the author was trying too hard to stress the importance of Drake, his power, the situation's resolution, and the respect of the omega's response.  So adding all of it together and I wasn't able to sink into the story and just enjoy because there were too many things that broke the flow of the story's coherence and enjoyability.

Overall this was a pretty good book with a satisfying conclusion of peace, hope, reconciliation, and unity.  There was love between the MC's and intelligence and passion between them.  With a good pairing and an interesting plot idea this book's rating will be rounded up on other review sites. I've rated this 2.5 stars here but am choosing to round up on review sites because while the book had annoying moments and a lack of focus, it wasn't a bad story and it did deliver on an HEA centered on the couple and unification.

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