Review : Walking on Thin Ice by Jocelynn Drake

Title : Walking on Thin Ice
Author : Jocelynn Drake
Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, Christmas Novella
Published : November 22nd 2016
My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

It’s not easy for Spenser Roland to admit it, but he needs help. Christmas is just a few days away, and he can’t face the idea of showing up to his family’s gathering alone … again. They want to see him happily settled, but Spenser doesn’t date. He can’t risk it if he wants to protect his family. But one unexpected night with Evan Scott has him thinking that maybe he can strike a deal that will make his family happy and give him a little holiday cheer as well.

Evan never should have accepted a ride home from the sexy-as-hell corporate executive, but he’s proud that he stuck to his guns. He’s done with the one-night stand game. He wants something real. Something that lasts. But when Spenser returns, asking him to pose as his boyfriend over the weekend at a Christmas celebration, Evan is sure he’s lost his mind.

But he can’t say no.

Maybe it’s the shadow of loneliness in Spenser’s bright blue eyes that’s too much like his own. Or maybe it’s his heart-stopping smile.

Either way, Evan knows he’s on thin ice with Spenser, risking his own rules and heart, but Spenser is worth the risk.

Never should have kissed him...

❄❄❄

I decided to read this book as a part of my holiday romance marathon this year because I saw a friend talking good about this book. So, even it's the new author to me, I decided to give it a try after the blurb curious me enough.

In my reading experience all these years, I found that there's two type of author. First, the one who trying so hard to 'tell' the reader what the MC feels by using to many unnecessary description and the one who let the reader 'feels' what the MC's feels by 'showing' it.

And I think this book fit the second one. Because instead telling the reader what the MC's feels, I can feel that the author showing us, the reader what the MC's feels. Even when both of the MC never once say the L word, but the reader can feels how strong the love that growing between the two MC's at the whole reading!

And that's what I felt when I read this book. The author successfully made this story which start as pretend boyfriend turn into insta-love which happen only in weekend counts feels not that instant or cheesy but instead it feels so perfect. And that's why I love both Spenser and Evan story so much!

Highly Recommended!

❄❄❄

Release Day Review & Book Blitz : On Davis Row by N.R. Walker

Title : On Davis Row
Author : N.R. Walker
Genre : Adult, LGBTQ+, Contemporary Gay Romance
Published : November 27th 2017
My Rating : 5++ Stars

Nearing the end of a suspended jail sentence should unlock a brighter future for CJ Davis, only the chip on his shoulder is as hard to shift as his bad reputation. Born into a family of career criminals who live down Davis Road, an address the cops have dubbed Davis Row, his name alone is like a rap sheet that makes optimism impossible.

Brand-new parole officer Noah Huxley is determined to see the good in men like CJ. After all, he knows firsthand that bad things can happen to good people. His colleagues mock his doe-eyed optimism, but Noah soon sees CJ’s bad attitude and bravado are weapons he uses to keep people at a distance.

Both men know one simple mistake can change a life forever. At first glance, they might seem to be polar opposites. Yet underneath, they’re not that different at all.

I needed him and he was there. That’s all that mattered....

🍀🍀🍀

Coming from a family who all the members were a criminals was not easy for CJ. For years he had learned to lived with the  judgment stare from people around him for the 'track records' his family have. For years CJ learned to 'hide' and trying to look invisible to stay out from any problems. His grandpop was the only person he care and love more than his own life. He'll do anything to keep him safe and happy even if that means he must stealing and be a criminal.

What he never knew that at near the end of his prohibitions, an angel will come to save him and embraced his lonely life with trust and love, and showing him that he's worthy more than he thought...

Noah not only come to 'save' him, but he 'see' him for what he truly is... 

He was everything I never knew I needed. He was everything I wanted, longed for, dreamed of, and never thought I could have. 

...he anchored me.

And suddenly JC saw a hope in his angel trust and love...

🍁🍁🍁

The story came in a very slow pace. And it's N.R. Walker style to 'testing' the reader patience with the pace and slowly build the readers emotions until they 'trapped' in what the MC's feels to the very last page.

I love how the author build the anticipation during the reading and make us wait until 'the right moment' to break the wall of the dam that build in our heart and let ALL the feels floods out at the precise and right moment. There's a lot of  moments when I didn't realize tears already rolling on my cheeks caused by just a simple hugs.

...he just loved being held. It was as heart-wrenching as it was beautiful.

The way CJ craves for a very simply hugs really broke my heart.  

The author details on drawing a slow growing emotions between the two MC's was incredible beautiful. You can feels the way Noah try to 'reach' CJ trust and how CJ lower the wall he'd build to protect himself and learned to open for Noah care, all written in a very beautiful way.

I'm so glad that the author keep the boys not to move to the next level in a hurry, but hold it until it reach 66% for the boys to have their first kiss.

The anticipiton of waiting the kissing was build perfectly, and when they finally kissed...it's like you got massive orgasm only by the kiss! 

On Davis Row was a beautiful, heartwarming story about love. Definitely one of the best book I've read this year. 

Highly Recommended!!

On Davis Row

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Available on KU.

Universal Amazon Link

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.

She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

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ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review.

Review : Yours for the Holiday by DJ Jamison

Title : Yours for the Holiday 

Author : DJ Jamison

Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, Christmas Holiday Novella

Published : November 20th 2017

My Rating : 4 of 5 Stars

Fresh off a break-up, Remy is in no mood to share a room with his brother's best friend during a holiday stay at home. Jason Hendricks has always treated him like a little brother to tease and taunt, all the more embarrassing because Remy has secretly crushed on the jerk since puberty. But when Jason confides he's bisexual, Remy realizes the crush he loves to hate could be the perfect rebound.

Jason has always found Remy appealing. He didn't handle his attraction well when he was younger, but now Remy's a grown man and Jason's no longer afraid of his feelings. Some playful flirtation sounds like a great way to spend Thanksgiving break, but he's not prepared for Remy's newfound sex appeal or his decision to make Jason his rebound fling. Jason doesn't want to risk fallout with a family that's always been there for him, but he's not sure he can resist.

When the two part ways, they don't plan to stay in touch, but soon they're texting, trading sexy pictures and helping each other cope with family drama. Remy agrees to be his for the holiday, continuing their secret fling over Christmas, but Jason knows that won't be enough. He'll have to find the courage to be open and honest with his best friend -- and the whole Wells family -- if he wants a chance at love in the new year.

Falling for your best friend little brothers was not easy, especially when you realize the consequences of losing the family who practically 'adopted' you as their son for years if they know you're 'screwing' their son. Added that you're actually bisexual & still in the closet. Will Jason risk everything to be with someone who actually already stole his heart all these time?

I think the story kinda cute, love the banter between Remy and Jason who knowing each other ugly side since their kids, the sexual innuendos between them was strong and the dilemmas they both faced when the feeling start to grow feels so perfect and right on the place. Make this Christmas holiday story worth to read.

Yours for the Holiday is a fun and heartwarming brother's bestfriend and cute frenemies to lovers that will light up your Christmas this year!

Recommended!

ARC Review : Secret Santa by Jay Northcote

Title: Secret Santa

Author: Jay Northcote

Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)

Length: 38,000 words approx

Genre: contemporary m/m romance, holidays, Christmas

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Release Date: Friday 24th November 2017

Series info: This book is a standalone

My Rating : 5 of 5 Stars

Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship

Theo hardly has time to date. Between work and caring for his four-year-old son there aren’t many hours left over. He’s lonely though, so he joins a hook-up app and starts chatting to a guy called Luke. Luke seems friendly and they arrange to meet. Theo doesn’t mention that he has a child. It’s early days and he’s worried about putting Luke off before they get to know each other.

Luke is currently working as Santa at the local shopping mall. He figures Theo never has to know. Christmas will be over soon and Luke will move on to a new, less embarrassing job. He’s surprised when Theo and a little boy visit Santa one afternoon. Theo doesn’t recognise Luke, and Luke realises he’s not the only one with a secret.

Despite misgivings on both sides, they start dating, and the chemistry is amazing. But as Christmas approaches their secrets pile up like colourful packages under the tree. If they’re not careful, they’ll lose the best gift of all—each other.

Goodreads | Secret Santa

The secrets between them loomed, seemingly insurmountable. Luke wanted to fix things and make it right, but he didn’t know how. 

Theo only knew about his own dishonesty. He didn’t know about Luke’s. 

Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship...

🍭🍭🍭

Yup! Keeping secrets is never a good way to start a relationship!

I couldn't agree more!

And that what makes this Christmas Novella had successfully grip me since the very first page to the very last.

The author 'cruelly' put the reader as 'the third party' and watch how these two MC's falls into silly 'misunderstanding' because of the secrets they keep from each others and THAT made you feels like as if you're in the middle of big soccer games and you're sit on the tribune, yelling on the player on the fields with stupid words like, "Gosh! Come on! Not like that!" or in this case, what you're say would be like "Oh! Come on! Say it! SAY IT!! Aaaaaargggghhh!" etc - until almost the end of the reading!

And THAT what's makes this book feels a bit emotional in a good way and absolutely worth to read!

The chemistry between Theo, Luke and little Archie are beautiful and warmed my heart.

Secret Santa is definitely a highly recommended read to welcoming this Christmas Holiday! So, don't miss it!

Amazon | Amazon UK | Universal Amazon Link

Jay lives just outside Bristol in the West of England. He comes from a family of writers, but always used to believe that the gene for fiction writing had passed him by. He spent years only ever writing emails, articles, or website content.

One day, Jay decided to try and write a short story—just to see if he could—and found it rather addictive. He hasn’t stopped writing since.

Jay writes contemporary romance about men who fall in love with other men. Jay has five books published by Dreamspinner Press, and he also self-publishes under the imprint Jaybird Press. Many of his books are now available as audiobooks.

Jay is transgender and was formerly known as she/her.

www.jaynorthcote.com

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ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review.

Review : Lace-Covered Compromise by Silvia Violet

Title : Lace-Covered Compromise
Author : Silvia Violet
Genre : Gay Contemporary Romance
Published : November 6th 2017
My Rating : 3.7 of 5

Adam Kingston expects to inherit his father’s multinational conglomerate. When he finds out half of it went to Nate Thomas—an annoying man whose dreams for Kingston Corp.’s future clash with Adam’s need to stave off financial disaster—Adam is furious. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to wrest control of Kingston Corp. from Nate. 

Nate may be soft-spoken, but he refuses to be swayed by Adam’s arrogant demands. When Nate accidentally drops a pair of his lacy panties in front of Adam, there’s no mistaking Adam’s interest. Nate hadn’t realized Adam was bisexual, but now that his secret is out, Nate is willing to use Adam’s lust against him if it means protecting the welfare of the company he loves. 

For Adam and Nate, hatred and desire are closely linked. Their inability to compromise threatens the company and could expose their tightly held secrets. But as they work together to develop a plan to save Kingston Corp., they begin to realize there might be more to their relationship than anger and lust.

When the lacy panties mentioned in the blurb, it's totally intrigued me. 

And the promise of a possibility for hot-shemxy-hate-fuck-sex in this enemies-to-lovers troupe made it look interesting even more.

So, I read the book in one sit and cannot put it down.

I'm sold to Nate character soon after he show up for the first time, and I love him even more after I know he's not only wearing a lace panties but also put matching lipstick when he's at the club.

I must admit that I didn't like Adam character almost the entire reading, but in the end I try to 'understand'. He's not 'that' bad actually, but still what he did to Nate annoyed me at some level.

Overall, I like the story and really enjoying the reading. It's annoying at first, but i can't denied that it also hot and fun enough to read.

ARC Review : Snowflakes & Cinnamon Buns by Claire Castle

Title : Snowflakes & Cinnamon Buns

Author: Claire Castle

Release Date: November 14, 2017

Length: 29,000 words (Novella)

Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance

My Rating : 3 of 5 Stars

Cameron Pearce loves to work hard and play hard. Living in New York City, means lots of men and lots of variety. He isn’t looking for love.

When he goes to his small hometown Dickensville for Christmas, food friends, family and seeing his best friend Levi are what’s on the agenda. He also hopes for some friends-with-benefits enjoyment.

Levi Jones owns and runs his own café in Dickensville. He loves the Christmas season and all that comes with it. Decorating, baking, and snow among other things.

Another perk is when Cameron visits home and he gets him all to himself.

What will happen when true feelings are revealed and everything is put on the line?
Will their friendship survive?

Can best friends go from hooking up to a real relationship?
Do they even want to?

This book contains delicious cinnamon buns, a cute westie and sexy hot men to warm up your holidays. 

Cameron and Levi had been friends for years. And for year, they had explore each other sexuality and stick to 'only casual, friends with benefits'.

Christmas will always be the best moment for Cameron for years. Every years he'll come to his hometown to spend the Christmas with his mom and seeing his best buddy, Levi for his delicious cinnamon buns and their 'mutual encounter'.

For years, Cameron had shared their bed with Levi with involved no feelings, but not this year. Because he start to feels something more than just a friend with Levi and get jealous when he found out someone flirting with him. When Levi finally show him his feeling, Cameron start to panic. He keep denying what he feels and leave...

Will they found their HEA this Christmas?

🍁🍁🍁

I'm so glad to have the privileged to read this debut Christmas Novella by the new author Claire Castle.

The story is so sweet and very Christmassy about friends-to-lovers that will warm you this Christmas.

Amazon

Claire Castle grew up surrounded by books. She has loved reading for her whole life. Her true love is romance and HEAs. When she’s not reading or writing, she can be found wearing comfortable leggings, drinking mocha and petting her west highland terrier. She loves collecting awesome mugs and paperbacks of her favorite stories. 

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ARC is kindly provided by the Author in exchange of a fair, unbiased and honest review.

Review : A Cowboy for Caleb (Great Plains Shifters #1) by L.C. Davis

Title : A Cowboy for Caleb

Series : Great Plains Shifters #1

Author : L.C. Davis

Genre : Gay Romance, Paranormal-Shapeshifter, Mpreg

Published : October 11, 2017

My Rating 3.5 of 5 Stars

Falling for his deceased twin brother’s mate was never part of Dustin’s plan.

This midwestern Alpha might be a little rough around the edges, but he lives by a few simple principles and honor is chief among them.

Nonetheless, when tragedy strikes the Meadowlands Pack, Dustin feels he has no choice but to bring his twin’s mate home to take care of him. The only problem is, Caleb isn’t anything like Dustin expected of the city omega who stole his brother’s heart and divided their family.

What starts out as trying to do the right thing soon becomes a blurry series of complicated decisions that lead Dustin further away from the path he’s always followed—and further into the arms of the one omega he was never supposed to want.

~

Caleb has been through the worst a mated omega could fear. He’s lost his mate and their unborn child, and now he finds himself at the mercy of an Alpha who has every reason to hate him.

Despite being twins, Dustin and Caleb’s former mate, Alec, are nothing alike. Caleb wants nothing more than to please his new Alpha and secure his position in the pack, but Dustin seems to take everything he says the wrong way.

As forbidden tensions mount between Alpha and omega, Caleb begins to fear that Dustin will start taking his developing interest the right way.

This is a hurt/comfort MPREG romance at approximately 37k words, HEA guaranteed.

It's NOT an appropriate things to do to imprinted on your dead  brother's mate at first sight when he still mourning for the lost of two important things in his life, right?

But Dustin didn't plan to do it. It just happen 'like that' and he can't 'control' when it happen and now he must take the consequences, caught between the ethics and his forbidden feeling to Caleb for the rest of his life...

But can they both denied the bonding feels that grow stronger each day?

Can they fight their destiny?

🍁🍁🍁

If you expected a hot and sexy shifter story with bulky macho alpha and/or the rest pack full with build shape men that shape shifting all the times, then you'll disappointed with this book. Because for a story with shapeshifter theme you can't find any shifting scenes on this book AT ALL!!! 

Yup! No Wolfie 🐺 no howling no shapeshifting !

Because A Cowboy for Caleb waaay to 'soft' than any usual shifter story out there. It's sweet, with less conflicts and heart warming.

It's more like reading Mpreg story with alpha-omega rather than shapeahifter. Or I can say it's 'shapeshifter story with omega taste'? Because that exactly what I felt during the reading...

I didn't say that it wasn't good or bad either, but for shapeshifter story, this one feels way too sweet and feels like something is missing...

But even so, I must admit that I LIKE the story so much. And it  surprised me a bit because I didn't expect that when I first decided to start this book.

Both Dustin and Caleb are definitely loveable characters, I'm so glad they didn't jumped to their wolves instinct even their wolves attracted to each other from the very beginning, but they keep following their 'human side' when it comes to ethic and moral things. And that's what makes this story feels so sweet and heartwarming.

For the first story of the series, A Cowboy for Caleb definitely can be a good starter, and I can't wait to read Zander's story and find what happened next....

Will he also could find his happy end?