ARC REVIEW : The Stars May Rise and Fall by Estella Mirai

Title : The Stars May Rise and Fall
Author : Estella Mirai
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : December 11th 2018
Heat Rating : 🔥🔥
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy link : Amazon US | Amazon UK 

Dreams don't always look the way you expect them to...


Teru came to Tokyo with dreams of making it big in the glam-metal visual kei scene, but three years later, all he has to show for it is a head of hot pink hair and some skill with an eyeliner pencil. He may look the part, but he doesn’t sound it, and constant bickering among his bandmates has him worried about his future. When he finds a mysterious business card in his bag, he’s willing to take any help he can get.

Help comes in the form of Rei, a crippled, disfigured composer whose own career was ended by an accident before it had really begun. With Teru’s voice and looks, and Rei’s money and songwriting skills, both of their dreams seem about to come true – but a forbidden kiss and a late-night confession threaten to tear it all apart. Now Teru, who has spent most of his life denying his attraction to men, and Rei, who vowed long ago never to love again, must reconcile their feelings with their careers – and with their carefully constructed ideas of themselves.

THE STARS MAY RISE AND FALL is an M/M retelling of Phantom of the Opera, set in Tokyo at the turn of the millennium. It comes with a healthy dose of angst and a dollop of nostalgia, as well as an age-difference romance, a physically disabled love interest, and memorable characters who will stay with you long after tehe pages are closed.

They fit together, here as well as anywhere. Like pieces of a puzzle. Like a lock and a key. 

🎙🎙🎙

A beautiful WOWmazing debut novel from Estella Mirai!

Good story with memorable characters that will stay linger in me long after I finished the book.

This book is like a gem in the sea of new release books at nearly end of this year and I’m so glad that I decided to give this book a try at first sight when I read the blurb back then. 

The story brought back the memories from my teenage life when the visual kei band were on the top of Japan music industry at that time. I grew up with X-Japan, L'Arc en Ciel, Malice Mizer, Luna Sea, Dir en Grey, GLAY and many more visual kei band at that time. I even become Gackt and Hyde shipper back then and cried hysterically when saw they stared a movie together (Moon Child 2003). So, yes! Reading this book that set in year 2000 and found those names being mentioned succeed throw me back to the era when those visual kei rock band group top the world.

I can help you. Call me.

Following the story of indie visual kei band, La Rose Verboten and their struggles to survive in the strict competitive with the other VK band to steal the spotlight and being seen are interesting. And I love how the author combined the struggle of the new band in gaining their success and the love story between a shy drummer turned singer, Teru and a mysterious talented composer with tragic past, Rei which pictured in a very poignant and heartwarming story.

I’m here…Forever. With you….

The slow maddening pace, the slow burn combine with good writing make everything feels perfect. The author with her typical Japanese style romance had successfully stir the reader feels to immersed deep into the story with her writing. She could make butterflies in my tummy flutter like crazy with just a simply chaste kiss! Even a simply hands touch or holding hands could spread the warm feelings in my heart. If you familiar with Japanese dorama, you’ll know what I mean. I can picturing ALL the scenes perfectly while I read this book like I’m actually watching a J-Drama playing in my head. I must admit, this book has movie materials and has potential to be a good movie if it seriously made. I just wish that I’ll see this story made into a movie someday…

Last but not least, I want to say thank you to the author for bringing back those nostalgic memories through her writing. I even digging back my X-Japan and L'arc en Ciel music collections and played it as a companions music during the reading. So, again...Thank you!

And now I’ll leave you with one of my favorite song from L'arc en Ciel, PIECES. I’ve playing this song over and over again while I'm reading this book and picturing Teru singing this song each time he sing SWEET GOODBYE…

Nakanaide nakanaide taisetsu na hitomi wo
Kanashisa ni tsumazuite mo shinjitsu wo miteite ne
Sono mama no anata de ite…


RECOMMENDED! 

Estella Mirai lives just outside of Tokyo with her human family and a very spoiled lap cat. When she isn’t reading or writing, she works in editing and translation—which means that 99% percent of her day is usually words. In her minimal free time, she enjoys watching musicals, cooking (badly), and slaughtering power ballads at karaoke.

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ARC REVIEW : Dear Cassius by Alice Winters

Title : Dear Cassius
Author : Alice Winters
Genre(s) : gay romance, suspense
Publication Date : December 11th 2018
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Link : Amazon

Dear Cassius,
Do you feel me watching you? 

When Cassius starts his junior year of college, he has no idea how different it will be. The only thing he’s worried about is getting through college and his unrequited love for his best friend.

Initially, Cassius thinks nothing of the picture with a strange note slipped under the windshield wiper of his car, but it ends up changing his entire life.

Dear Cassius,
I can’t look away from you. 

As strange things begin to occur around Cassius, he starts to feel like someone is watching him, following him. Stalking him. They are determined to destroy his peace of mind and the people around him. Thankfully, his friends and family are there to support him. But who can he trust when no one seems to be who he thought they were?

Cassius realizes that sometimes love can be found at the wrong time. But right now, love may be what he needs to help him get through this alive. Can Cassius open himself up to new love when he’s not sure he can trust those closest to him?

Dear Cassius is a light thriller with a romantic subplot. There is suspense and some violence, with the promise of a happy ending. 
Trigger warnings: Certain triggers may be considered spoilers, so they can be found by using the “Look Inside” feature or by downloading the sample.

Dear Cassius,
I can’t look away from you. You consume my world. My life. My every thought. And I can’t wait to destroy you. I’ll let you burn, Cassius. I’ll let you burn.


I’m ENJOYING every part of this book, the suspense, the mystery and all the creepiness this book gave me!

This book successfully hooked me since the very first page until the end. I keep guessing who’s Cassius’s psychopath stalker is and the reason behind all the creepy terrors that threaten Cassius’s life. I must admit that the author succeed in playing with the game. The way the author trying to blurry the suspect and leave the readers to keep guessing and guessing then ‘smoothly’ lead the reader to the wrong suspect before finally revealed the real one is fascinating. It’s feels fun and annoying at the same time, BUT that’s what make this book didn’t lose it grip and interesting enough to follow.

I have my own suspect of course but I must admit that I’m a bit ‘fall’ into the author’s ‘game’ and didn’t  see the twist until its coming. And its kinda ‘hurt’ the Sherlock side in me you know. But THAT what also  made this book deserve my rare five stars!

Overall, the story is good, very intriguing, a bit dark and creepy at some part. I love ALL the characters in this book, and THAT include the creepy stalker!
But what I love the most about this book is the writing!

Well, I won’t give you any spoilers  about the story. I WANT you to feel what I felt during the reading and enjoy the guessing games the author set! *devilish smirk*

Dear Cassius maybe my first book from Alice Winters, but if her other works will be written as good as this one, I’ll looking forward for her books in the future!

Recommended!!

ARC REVIEW : Trusting Jack (MC Securities #1) by Ruby Moone

Title : Trusting Jack
Author : Ruby Moone
Series : MC Securities Book 1
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance, holiday romance
Publication Date : December 10th 2018
Rating : 4.5/5

Buy Links : Amazon

With only a few days to go until Christmas, Michael Cross has to admit there is something amiss about his latest employee, Jack Whelan. Quiet, jumpy, thin… he never seems to eat. He is also incredibly gorgeous with dark spiky hair that Michael aches to touch. But as his boss, Jack is off limits. And when it comes to relationships, he…well, he sucks.

Jack Whelan is at the end of his tether. He’s living rough in the middle of winter, and paying off a massive debt, so getting a job with MC Securities is a lifeline. His new boss is also the hottest guy ever. Geeky, broody, and scarily clever.

When Michael stumbles upon the reality of Jack’s life, he offers to help. But as Michael’s feelings deepen, and Jack’s terrible past catches up with him, Michael has to decide between believing in the awful truth that is staring him in the face, or trusting Jack.

Well, first of all….I need to say that I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!

The book and cover already grabbed my full attention since I saw it for the first time, and I knew that I’ll love the story as soon as I read the first few pages of the book and really can’t put it down. I read it in one sit and I got this constant overwhelming feels inside me while I read it.

The story is a bit fun and light at the beginning then slowly turned a bit emotional after halfway through it, and yes there’s include some teary eyes here and there, but most of all the story is sweet and heartwarming and all wrapped in good plot, lovely characters and good writing.

The story start with Michael who cannot take his eyes from his newest employee Jack Whelan. He’s quiet, intelligent and hardworking, but there’s something about the new guy that drawn his attention. When his team manager ‘complaint’ to him about the new guy which never go out for lunch and a bit ‘smell’, Michael want to know what his new employee hide from him. So he decided to following Jack after work. When he found out that Jack is actually homeless and live at one of the abandoned building and being threatened by someone, he decided to offer him to stay at his place for his safety.

At twenty five years old, Jack Whelan had live a rough life. After the death of his brother and put him in serious debt his brother leave him, Jack must work extra hard to pay the debt back and faced the terror from a guy who want him to pay his brother debt. When his boss offer him to stay at his place for a while he felt confused at first but then accepted Michael offer just for a night. But then everything start to change…

The story then grew more and more interesting when both Jack and Michael must fight their attractions to each other. The high sexual tensions feels thick in the air. The flirting and push and pull between the two enough to make me flush and blush. They trying so hard not to cross the line but with the growing attractions that strong hung between them? It definitely not easy to do.

After what his ex done to him, Michael didn’t trust a guy easily, he didn’t do relationship and only do hookup with no string. But since Jack came to his life there’s this strong urge in him to protect the poor young man and he almost can’t control his wild fantasy toward him. Jack had learned hard way that there’s nothing come for free in this world. So, when Michael offered him some helps, what’s come to his mind is what the motives behind all the kindness offers Michael gave him. And sex is the only answer. So, he offer him sex in exchange for all the help. But when Michael refuse it, surprisingly it hurt him because deep in his heart Jack can’t denied that he want all the intimate things with Michael…

Michael actually also want what Jack’s offers him, but he want Jack to want him not as the act of gratitude because he’d help him with a place to stay and pay his debt. On the other side, Jack want Michael to want him because he want it and comfortable with it. Jack want to feel needed. And he need that from Michael. Things then get more and more complicated at nearly end of the book, and Michael had to decided whether he could trusting Jack or not…

I must admit that there's some things that feels not quite right here and there, but I decided to ignore it because the warm feeling this book gave me is enough to make me closed my eyes to those small mistakes.

This is the first book from Ruby Moone new series MC Securities. And I can’t wait for the next book from this series especially the author already drop some hints about who will take the next spotlight in this series, and YASSSS! It’s Christian and his cousin, Daniel McCaffrey!

Recommended!

REVIEW : Starstruck (Opposites Attract #1) by LJ Stark

Title : Starstruck
Author : LJ Stark
Series : Opposites Attract Book 1
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, enemies to lovers, fake marriage
Publication Date : October 19th 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Faking a marriage to my worst enemy shouldn't be this easy. 

Peter. I was a working actor struggling to make rent when I scored a part in Aiden Hunt's latest blockbuster.
Too bad the man himself turned out to be rude, abrasive and annoyingly cocky. But at least I'd never have to see him again after filming.
Or so I thought.
One drunken wrap party and two gold rings later, I'm married to the bastard and we need to sell a fairytale romance to the tabloids, his legions of fans, and the world.
Falling for him in the middle of all this should be out of the question.
But there's more to him than I thought, and if it turns out that he really does have a heart underneath his bespoke suit?
Well, then I'm in trouble...

Aiden. Hollywood has a bad habit of chewing up young, starry-eyed actors and spitting them right out. That's what I thought would happen to Peter Czerny, and I didn't care.
He was rude, self-righteous, and...distracting.
Ending up married to him was an inconvenience, but I could use it for my own gain.
I just didn't bank on Peter getting under my skin. He slipped into my life like he's always belonged there, and we have an attraction that my body can't deny.
I just need to get him out of my system.
Then we can both go back to our two separate lives.
Somehow, playing a role has never felt this complicated.

This is a standalone, 60k+ Enemies-to-lovers fake marriage contemporary MM romance with an HEA and no cheating.

Aiden Hunt is the biggest movie star in the world. He was Hollywood royalty, born into the business, and he’d been acting in movies since high school. And now, at the age of twenty five, he was a bona fide A-list movie star with a combined box office of over a billion dollars. And one word from him can affect someone career in the movie industry.

Peter Czerny, is a struggling near-starving-artist who acted in tiny indie movies who trying to climb into Hollywood movie industry through an audition cast as one of superhero in a movie starred by Aiden Hunt.

People says ‘first impression’ is important, and Peter agent had warned him to ‘play nice' when they scheduled to meet Aiden in person because he’s actually the one who decided who’s deserve to be his partner in the movie he stared in. And Peter accidentally ‘ruined’ it by confronted Aiden in the middle of the meeting and then leave.

Knowing that he’d been ruining his chance to enter the Hollywood movie industry, Peter then preparing for the worst and start to thinking for looking another job aside from the movie industry. What he didn’t expected is the call from his agent that tell him that he had secured his role on the movie because – surprisingly - Aiden had approved him as his partner in his upcoming superhero movie!

The story then become more and more interesting when Peter must faced Aiden superstar annoying behaviors during their filming. They act like besties on the screen but then switched as Tom & Jerry after that. Following their interactions and then turn to friend before they ended accidentally married after the Premier Night is reaaaaaaally interesting.

When the marriage accident continued as ‘fake marriage’ to maintain the image and as part of publicity. Both Aiden and Peter have to adjust to their new life as ‘a newly-madly-in-love-marriage-couples' until the contract is over. 

But what they didn’t expect is….at the end they falling in love with each other for real….

But could they brave enough to admit what they feels inside and continuing the marriage or ended it like what it written on the contract?

Starstruck is a very light and fun enemies to lovers story mixed with fake marriage. And I enjoying the reading very much. 

ARC RE-RELEASE REVIEW : Foxes by Suki Fleet

Title : Foxes
Author : Suki Fleet
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, disability
Publication Date : November 22nd 2018 (re-release)
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Links : Amazon

When Dashiel’s body is found dumped on an East London wasteland, his best friend Danny sets out to find the killer. But Danny finds interaction difficult and must keep his world small in order to survive. By day he lives in an abandoned swimming pool and fixes electrical devices to trade for supplies, but by night, alone, he hunts sharks a reckless search for dangerous men who prey on the vulnerable.

A chance meeting with an American boy selling himself on the streets throws this lonely existence into disarray. Micky is troubled, fragile, and Danny feels a desperate need to protect him. Though from what, he doesn't know. As Danny discovers more about Micky, he realises that what Micky needs saving from is the one thing Danny has no idea how to fight.

To save Micky, Danny must risk expanding his world and face something that scares him more than any shark ever could: trusting he will be accepted for who he is. If a freezing winter on the streets, a sadistic doctor, and three thousand miles don't tear them apart first, that is.

I wish things were different. I wish it with everything in me—the thought sharp as a spear in my heart. I don’t normally let myself think like this, but right now I’d give anything, absolutely anything, to look ordinary. For him to look at me and see an ordinary boy looking back at him. I wouldn’t ask to be beautiful. 

🌿🌿🌿

Danny is a loner…live at one of bathroom on abandoned swimming pool.

When his best friend, Dashiel found dead, Danny start his mission to find who the killer is by following some of the sharks, the predators who rummaging around the street seeking for the victim.

On his searching of the murder, he meet this beautiful young boy, Micky, an American rent boy who sell himself on the street. There’s something in this skinny fragile figure that drawn something in him. Suddenly he has this urge to protect him with everything he could just to stop Micky life to end like Dashiel. Even if that means he must leave his comfort zone and took a huge leap in his life to keep Micky safe.

You took the lid off the sky for me… you gave me hope...

Following their interactions and their growing feeling happen in very slow pace was a bit maddening but beautiful at the same time. But if you’re familiar with Suki Fleet’s trade mark writing, you’ll find that everything in this book is mesmerizing and hypnotizing at the same time.

“….having smooth, unscarred skin does not make you beautiful. Shining like the brightest light in the dark does, though. And you light up everything. You light me up. I’m falling in love with you,”

When others look down on Danny due the scars on his face, Micky is one of them who look past it and see the real Danny to his heart. Danny start to open himself and slowly put more trust in Micky. On the other hand, Micky also finally found something he want to fight in life...someone who finally made him feels worthy....

“When I’m with you, it’s the only thing I wish was different. When I’m with you, I don’t want to disappear.”

The unique relationship they have is one things that made this book so intriguing. Their pure connection that start only as a friend then slowly going deeper and deeper is something that made this book interesting to follow. Both Danny and Micky characters are lovable and unique in their own way.

“If I really did have superpowers, all I’d want to do is make people happy. Not for the attention or anything,” I add. “I’d want to do it secretly, so I’d be Mr. Happynonymous. And if I could only make one person happy, it’d be you.”

Not all superheroes wear capes…

The real superheroes is people who simply could change and touch someone else life by simply being there with them when they’re in need. And Danny is one of those superheroes in this story…

On his journey to find who the killer is, Danny didn't realize that he had become a superhero by savings people life, and that include saving someone life who turned out to be the one who caused his sadness....

Foxes is an art, one of beautiful and heartwarming story I ever read. The slow burn combined with amazing writing and good main characters had leave deep impression in me and almost all the reader. And again, Suki Fleet had made this book sings in perfect harmony. So, please do make sure you didn’t miss it!

Highly recommended!

ARC REVIEW : First Light (Heartsville #2) by Christina Lee & Felice Stevens

Title : First Light
Author(s) : Christina Lee & Felice Stevens
Series : Heartsville book #2
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : November 26th 2018
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Link : Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Amazon Universal Link 

Two years after the death of his wife, Aubrey Hendricks is still weighed down by grief. He can’t focus on anything beyond working at the family farm, First Light. At the urging of a friend, he takes a step toward resuming a normal life and reopens the bakery his wife once ran. He places a Help Wanted ad in the local paper, and to his surprise, an applicant shows up the next day.

When Oliver Hansen gets a second chance at life, he grasps it with both hands. Leaving his stressful life in New York, he plans to enjoy the simpler things. Driving to Heartsville in the Pocono Mountains to thank his heart donor’s widower is a top priority. But the brusque man with the melancholy eyes strikes a chord in Oliver. So when Aubrey mistakenly believes he’s there to apply for the bakery job…Oliver takes him up on the offer.

As Oliver busies himself with the grand reopening, he and Aubrey establish a tentative friendship, which soon shifts to blazing attraction. Oliver falls hard for him, yet he can’t help but wonder if Aubrey’s feelings are an attempt to maintain a connection to the wife he’s still mourning. And Aubrey is unsure if Oliver will tire of the slow pace in Heartsville and go running back to the city he loves. The two must successfully navigate the stormy waters of grief, doubt, and their very different lifestyles, or they risk losing both their hearts—again.

*Please note: This is in the same world as our MMM, LAST CALL, except FIRST LIGHT is MM and a complete standalone.

“It’s never been more right than it is now. With you. Now you’re here, and it’s like you’ve breathed life back into my body.” – Aubrey

 ☕☕☕

Sometimes the road of life takes an unexpected turn and you have no choice but to follow it to end up in a place you are supposed to be… - Unknown.

And that’s what actually happen to Oliver. He come to Heartsville with one purpose, to meet with a person who had given him a second chance but mistakenly took as the new baker by First Light owner, Aubrey.

There’s something in Aubrey's sad eyes that intrigued Oliver and suddenly a new mission grow in Oliver mind, he want to help the man and brought the sunshine back into Aubrey’s life…

First Light is not only a story about a farmer and a lawyers turned a baker, but also a beautiful heart warming journey of love between a heart transplant recipient and the donor's widower. Fate then brought the two stranger from different world together and falling in love…

The writing is beautiful with good plot and slow burn pace, the main characters are very lovable and leave very deep impression in me. I love seeing the change from grouchy and lonely Aubrey to playful Aubrey when he's with Oliver and I also love how Oliver show the man how to live again. Love the dynamic and chemistry between these two and I really enjoying every moments when they slowly growing their feeling and how they build the relationship with strong connection from pure friendship to lovers. Everything feels so natural, believable and perfect!

Their journey to the happiness was not easy, they still must face some obstacles from self doubt, their own insecurities that haunt both Oliver and Aubrey life and also the secret Oliver brought with him, but again I love how they solve their conflicts through communication and finally have courage to confess what they really want. Both Oliver and Aubrey deserve to have their own happiness after what they been through and grab the second chance given to them and cherish the life together. Who knows that fate has put them in the circle of live through grief and another love?

First Light is a beautiful, heart warming story that will warmed your winter this year.

Last but not least, I do really enjoy the glimpse of Quinn, Gray and Emery from Last Call , it made me miss the guys A LOT…

Highly recommended!

ARC REVIEW : Loving a Warrior by Melanie Hansen

Title : Loving a Warrior
Author : Melanie Hansen
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : November 26th 2018
Rating : 3.5/5 Stars

BUD/S: six months of the most intense training there is. It’s survival of the toughest, and Matt Knytych is determined to come out the other side a navy SEAL.

Distraction is life or death. And just the sight of former marine Shane Hovland is enough to shake Matt’s concentration.

Shane came to BUD/S training ready to prove himself—again. Semper Fi is forever, but he needs a new start. Not this dangerous heat with a man he barely knows.

Everything they’ve ever wanted is riding on a thin, punishing line. And they’ll have to fight for more than just each other if they want to make it through intact.

After all, the only easy day was yesterday.

Matt turned to bury his face against Shane’s shoulder. “Why are you so perfect for me?” he said raggedly. “Why?” He clutched on to him, twisting his fists into Shane’s damp shirt. “Because you are. Perfect.”

This is the story about Soup and Clown, two strangers who become brothers in arms during the hell weeks on special training…

I thought that it would be some battles scenes in this book, but it seems I’m totally wrong!!

The story mostly only about the BUD/S training and how Matt and Shane spent their hell weeks together during the training before they become SEAL and a glimpse of the life outside the base camp. And I must admit it’s kinda disappointed me a bit and more less affected my mood because I was hoping to find some battle scenes and love story in the middle of secret missions and conflicts that will squeeze my heart while reading it.

The interactions between the MCs were good and so tense right from the beginning. Their growing feeling, the connections, the push and pull all written in slow and heartwarming way. How they support and encourage each others during the rough Hell-weeks on DUI/S training, the UST and strong attraction between the two, the denial, the conflicts and their dynamic and growing relationship all feels so natural and convincing enough. Good plot combine with the slow pace, good writing and loveable characters had made this story become enjoyable enough to follow.

Thanks to all the documentaries and some movies I’ve watched about how hard and brutal the SEAL Team training is, I can picturing all the DUI/S training weeks with no problems at all.

ARC REVIEW : Stuck With You by Jay Northcote

Title : Stuck With You
Author : Jay Northcote
Genre (s) : contemporary gay romance, holidays romance, Christmas
Publication Date : November 23rd 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Buy Links : Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon Universal

Two clashing colleagues stuck together for Christmas—will opposites eventually attract?

Patrick has been single since he broke up with his cheating ex almost a year ago. With Christmas looming, he’s resigned to spending it alone with only memories of happier times for company. When a business trip with a co-worker leaves them stranded in the Lake District due to heavy snow, it seems Patrick will have company for Christmas after all. It’s a shame his companion is Kyle, who’s undeniably attractive, but annoying as hell.

Aware of Patrick’s reluctant admiration, Kyle basks in the attention even though Patrick isn’t the type of man he normally goes for. Averse to relationships after being hurt in the past, Kyle enjoys the occasional hook up, but has given up on seeking anything more meaningful.

Stuck together, their antagonism escalates along with a heavy dose of sexual tension until it finally ignites. What starts as a Christmas fling soon feels like something special; but will their tentative connection melt away as the snow thaws? If they’re going to take a chance on finding happiness together, they’ll have to put their differences aside and learn to trust one another.

Contains: enemies-to-lovers, snowball fights, bickering, spanking, a cute dog, a wise old lady, mistletoe, and a happy ending (of course).

This is my first Christmassy theme book I read this year.

I’m so glad that this book become my very first! It’s definitely become a great opening to many holidays theme book following the season.

The story successfully caught me right from the start. The dynamic between the two main characters are mixtures of annoying and sweet at the same time.
Both Patrick and Kyle are way to stubborn to confess that what they feels during their moment together is more than just a Christmas fling, thanks God there’s Mrs. Wilcox who make them finally open their eyes and have the courage to admit what they feels before it’s too late.

Stuck With You is a very cute and sweet enemies-to-lovers story with a nice old lady with a dog, two lovable main characters with their own baggage from the past, enemies from workplace, trapped together because a blizzard two days before Christmas Eve then falling in love…

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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REVIEW : Father of The Groom (Love and Care #1) by Silvia Violet

Title : Father of The Groom
Author : Silvia Violet
Series : Love and Care book 1
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Avery has a good life. He loves his job as a makeup artist, and he’s ecstatic about being Twink of Honor in his best friend’s wedding. He’s more than capable of supporting himself, but that doesn’t stop him from longing for an older man who’ll take care of him.

Graham Hillingdon has finally repaired his relationship with his son, and he’s thrilled to be part of his son’s wedding day, though he wishes he had a plus one to bring with him. Sadly, he has yet to find a man who appreciates both his dominant and nurturing sides; maybe even someone to call him Daddy.

When Avery and Graham meet at the wedding, attraction sizzles between them, and they end up spending an insanely hot night together. Graham makes sure Avery knows exactly who’s in charge in bed, but afterwards, he’s exquisitely gentle. This is just what Avery needs, and Graham is certain he’s finally found a man who desires what he has to give. Neither of them wants to part the next day, but between their age difference and their reluctance to reveal their relationship to Graham’s son, they wonder if they have any chance for a future together. But as perfect as they are for each other, shouldn’t it be worth the risk?

It’s a short, fun, cheesy and a bit meh reading, BUT surprisingly I ridiculously like it…
Well, maybe I’m in my very super duper cheesy mood when I read it.

The story actually a bit fun at some part. I do enjoying the daddy/boy games Graham and Avery play during their secretly short encounter because Avery is actually the bride-to-be-twinky-gay-best-friend and Graham is actually the groom’s father and that put Avery on the same age as Carter, Graham’s son. Graham just come out as gay few years ago and have not good relationship with his ex wife after the divorce. But Carter insisted his father to attend his wedding and Graham couldn’t say no to his beloved son. And be at the wedding means he must faced the awkward situation with his ex wife and her bigot friends.

What he didn’t expected is he meet this cute, sexy twink that caught his attention since the first time he saw him. On the other hand, Avery with his daddy kink also can’t denied his attraction to the smokin' hot daddy he meet while checking on the wedding preparation. They start flirting with each other before later they finally know the truth.

I found that the story is kinda cute and the daddy/boy role play kinda hot but way too short and like a short story that being ripped from a full length novel and ended just like that. Later I know that this is actually just an ‘appetizers’ to the real full book that release not long after this. Like I said before that (surprisingly) I kinda enjoying the book at first, but after some ridiculous and childish moment at nearly end the book I decided to deduct the rating…

Do I want to know what will happen next with Graham and Avery in the next book? Well….I still don’t know yet, but maybe I’ll try it someday when I’m in cheesy messy mood again. Who knows right?

REVIEW : Temptation in Neon by Peter Dawes

Title : Temptation in Neon
Author : Peter W. Dawes
Genre(s) : gay romance, paranormals, vampires, polyamory, trans 
Publication Date : July 17th 2018
My Rating(s) : 3/5 Stars

Danny Turner had sex last night. At least, he’s pretty sure that’s what happened. Memory gaps, strange wounds on his neck, and blood-stains on his clothing lead him on a quest to recreate a wild night spent at his favorite club, Nocturne. When his journey brings him to a vampire feeding den, he finds out that you only get one chance to walk away – and his curiosity blew it. The vampire who marked him is a two-hundred-year-old man named Liam Quinn. Together with his immortal child, Mari, Liam struggles to determine what to make of the headstrong human. After all, you only survive for two-centuries if you have rules. Something about Danny tempts Liam to bend more than a few, though, while Mari determines to break some entirely. Whatever happens next, Danny’s life as he knew it is over. He just needs to stay alive long enough to show Liam that he’s worth the trouble.

Set in the backdrop of 1980s Philadelphia, Temptation in Neon brings the dark, Gothic subculture of the late 80s into the queer struggle of the time. In this setting, Danny Turner comes to recognize that the very shackles which bind him to Liam and Mari also have the power to set him free.

M/M/F with polyamory, trans, and gay representation, steamy scenes, and an HEA.

The blurb really tempting me and it’s been so long since the last time I read gay-vampire-romance. So, when I accidentally stumbled into this book and read the blurb, I said to myself, “Why not?”

The story a bit blurred and confusing at the beginning because we all were ‘forced’ to following Danny’s jumbled mind about what had happen to him though his POV.

Waking up disoriented about what had happen last night or a day before, Danny start the day in huge confused about what had happen to him before. What he only remember is he was out to a gothic club, have a drink, nope….maybe a lot of drinks and then BHAM! – the next thing he know that he woke up on his bed feeling dizzy with memory gap. The only clue he had from what happen is the bite mark on his neck, few drops of blood on his shirt and the almost very vivid dreams he has about meeting a breathtaking beautiful guy named Liam who turned out to be a vampire?

In the middle of his confusion, he decided to following his instinct to find the truth about what had happen to him days before. His search brought him to the club named Nocturne and accidentally meet the girl who also have the same bite mark on her neck. The girl then lead him to this very secret club which actually a vampire feeding den. When he finally meet with the vampire who appeared in his dream, Danny realized that his life might be in danger…

I must admit the story a bit confusing but at the same time its intriguing enough to drew my curiosity. I like Liam and Mari relationship and their strong bond to each other. Mari is a trans, found and ‘saved’ by Liam. Since then Mari become Liam’s ‘child’ and following Liam everywhere. When Danny presence drawn Liam’s full attention and later caused some trouble to Liam’s because it’s broke some of the vampires coven rules had put Liam’s in dilemma, Mari’s patience in opening Liam’s eyes to the fate that lies before his eyes made me love and respect her. How she ‘persuade’ and ‘comfort’ Danny and slowly put Danny into their polyamory relationship is another things that I found interesting.

There’s still a loopholes here and there but overall I think I do enjoying the story enough to leave this nice review.

REVIEW : Any Given Lifetime by Leta Blake

Title : Any Given Lifetime
Author : Leta Blake
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, fantasy, paranormals, reincarnation
Publication Date : September 13th 2018
Rating : 4.5/5 Stars

He'll love him in any lifetime. 

Neil isn’t a ghost, but he feels like one. Reincarnated with all his memories from his prior life, he spent twenty years trapped in a child’s body, wanting nothing more than to grow up and reclaim the love of his life.

As an adult, Neil finds there's more than lost time separating them. Joshua has built a beautiful life since Neil’s death, and how exactly is Neil supposed to introduce himself? As Joshua's long-dead lover in a new body? Heartbroken and hopeless, Neil takes refuge in his work, developing microscopic robots called nanites that can produce medical miracles.

When Joshua meets a young scientist working on a medical project, his soul senses something his rational mind can't believe. Has Neil truly come back to him after twenty years? And if the impossible is real, can they be together at long last?

Any Given Lifetime is a stand-alone, slow burn, second chance gay romance by Leta Blake featuring reincarnation and true love. This story includes some angst, some steam, an age gap, and, of course, a happy ending.

“God only knows how you got here, how it is that you’re here with me. But you’re everything to me.” – Joshua 

“You’re the one who’s everything. I wouldn’t have come back to this miserable earthly plane for anyone else. You’re the reason for my existence. Joshua, you’re my everything. I’ll find you in any given lifetime. Never forget that.” - Neil

From time to time, I find books that successfully swallowed me - heart, body and soul. And this book had caught me from the first page and consume me to the last page.

I already caught by the blurb and the idea of the reincarnation had curious me even more.
I found it interesting enough on how the author starting the story right after the new Neil is born just few months after the old Neil dead. It intrigued me on how the author will set the time line and age gap that stretch between the two main characters with all the time jump that following the story. I know it’s a bit risky but at the same time it also curious me.

Following the young Neil growing and stuck in his new life, watching his frustration and anger for being ‘trapped’ in a child body with all the memories from his previous life, seeing the love of his life suffering from the grief for years with nothing he can do. Then seeing Joshua finally finding his new love in Lee and move on had completely broke my heart when you had emotionally attached to the story way too deep.

I like how the author let the readers know about Neil’s previous life through those simple talks between Joshua and Lee, one of Neil’s donor recipient who bravely came to Joshua because he feels so grateful for having his second chance in life because of Neil’s kindness and he want to know about Neil’s story to honor the gift. And who knows that everything that starting as a friendship turned out become something that bound them into the circle of fate?
And yes, I love Lee for his love and  understanding to Joshua and his undying love to Neil and their memories. He's like an angel sent by god to take good care of Joshua while Neil gone. A true angel...and my heart broke for him...

Overall the story was abso-fuckingly amazing good. The idea of reincarnation combined with a heartbreaking love story that separated two deeply loving souls  through years before fate then bring them back together again are fascinating. The character development was really extraordinary and the story-line was totally engaging and all perfectly bound by the good writing skills. And THAT what made the book really hard to put down.

But I feel a bit disappointed when the story suddenly moved from the completely slow burn into something a bit way too rush at nearly end of the book when finally Joshua realized who the young Neil is. I expected the emotionally WOWmazing moment when all the truth are finally revealed, but everything suddenly felt to rush, flat and kinda lost it magic. I didn’t get the climax like what I expected. And that what make this book didn’t get my full five stars. BUT still, I will gladly recommended this book as one of the  best book I’ve read this year because the story had successfully leave a very deep impression in me.

If you love reincarnation story, then you shouldn’t miss this book!

Recommended!

ARC REVIEW : Edge of Living by H.L. Day

Title : Edge of Living
Author : H.L. Day
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, psychological trauma with trigger warning alert
Publication Date : October 28th 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars
Buy Links : Amazon 

Sometimes, death can feel like the only escape. 

It's been a year since Alex stopped living. He exists. He breathes. He pretends to be like everyone else. But, he doesn't live. Burdened by memories, he dreams of the day when he can finally be free. Until that time comes, he keeps everybody at bay. It's been easy so far. But he never factored in, meeting a man like Austin.

Hard-working mechanic Austin has always gone for men as muscular as himself. So, it's a mystery why he's so bewitched by the slim, quiet man with the soulful brown eyes who works in the library. The magnetic attraction is one thing, but the protective instincts are harder to fathom. Austin's sure though, that if he can only earn Alex's trust then the two of them could be perfect together.

A tentative relationship begins. But Alex's secrets run deep. Far deeper than Austin could ever envisage. Time is ticking. Events are coming to a head, and love is never a magic cure. Oblivious to the extent of Alex's pain, can Austin discover the truth? Or is he destined to be left alone, only able to piece together the fragments of his boyfriend's history, once its already too late?

Trigger warning: Please be aware that this story deals with suicidal ideation. If this is a subject you find uncomfortable, then I would not recommend you reading this book.

I copy people. Copy their normality because I can’t remember what it feels like anymore; it's been way too long since I experienced it. I watch people. I borrow their mannerisms. I borrow their smiles and their laughter, and use them as emotional armor. 

Since the first time I saw the book cover, I must admit that it’s intrigued me in a way I cannot explain. It’s like the book had ‘called’ me and I cannot turn it down…
When I read the blurb, I just knew that this book will gonna be something and I NEED it!

To whoever had read The Silver Cage, I need to warn you that this book give me a dejavu feeling with that book when I read it, BUT of course with the different ending...

I love story with dark and contain psychological trauma in it. Some books end well and give me satisfaction, but there’s some I found failed in bringing the emotions down and deep into the reader heart and only playing at the surface then turned into a meh reading after blabbing about the potential of being triggered something to reader about some kind of trauma.

This book, surprisingly – successfully gripping me right from the beginning and succeed anxious me at nearly end of it!

The story start with very slow pacing and successfully keep the mystery about what happened to Alex back then stay on board by revealing it piece by piece through the flashbacks. I can feel the story kinda lost it grip somewhere in the middle but so glad that it finally gained back the grip with full of emotional tension at nearly end of the book and ended satisfyingly good.

Edge of Living is an emotional read with a warning of suicidal matters that may caused uncomfortable subject to some readers. But I found that this book also give you a show of unconditional love that will warmed your heart.

H.L. Day is a new author to me, but I found that the writing – surprisingly -  suit my liking. Edge Of Living maybe my first book of her that I read, but definitely won’t be the last!

Recommended with warning!

ARC REVIEW : Nova Praetorian by N.R. Walker

Title : Nova Praetorian
Author : N.R. Walker
Genre(s) : gay romance, M/M romance, historical romance
Publication Date : October 26th 2018
My Rating(s) : 5/5 Stars

Buy Link : Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon Universal Link 

WARNING : Bookgasm alert!!

A new guard. A new love. A new Rome.

Quintus Furius Varus is one of the best lanistas in Rome. Tall and strong in build, fearsome in manner, and sharp of wit, he trains the best gladiators bound for the arenas of Rome. When Senator Servius Augendus seeks personal guards, he attends the Ludus Varus for purchase of the very best. He puts to Quintus an offer he cannot refuse, and Quintus finds himself in Neapolis, contracted as a trainer of guards instead of gladiators.

Kaeso Agorix was taken from his homelands of Iberia and delivered to Rome as a slave. Bought by a senator to be trained as a guard, his fate is handed to the man who would train him. Absent free will, Kaeso knows his life is no longer his own, though he soon realises the gods have favoured him when he learns his new master has a kind heart.

Quintus and Kaeso forge a bond that far exceeds the collar at Kaeso’s neck, and together they discover the senator’s move for promotion has an ulterior motive. Thrown into a world of politics and conspiracy, of keeping enemies close, they move against time to save Rome before traitors and the gods themselves see to their end.
And in doing so, see the dawn of the nova praetorian—the new guard—rise.

“You took a slave, and you gave him purpose when he had none. You gave him trust and honour when he had none. You gave him reason to live when he had none. I would be yours for all time, Quintus. My loyalty does not lie with Rome. Nor would you find it in Iberia. My loyalty is to you. Do not doubt where my heart is.” – Kaeso.

“As mine is with you. I vow it, no god or mortal man will take you from my arms. I will rip the life from any man who dares attempt to part us. I will find you in the next life, my rabbit, my promise to you.” - Quintus.

🐎🐎🐎

I will not give you any spoilers about this book. I will just gonna say that this book is perfect in all aspects!

Good story blended very well with good writing, completed with amazing two main characters and rich with all those secondary characters that also have their own part in brighten up the story, especially those gladiators who served under Quintus name. They gave me constant goosebumps for their loyalty to their dominus in honorable way. Everything was set in such a good portion. The slow pace was maddening but far from boring, the slow burn romance between Quintus and Kaeso feels so strong and blended very well with the tensions caused by the politics intrigues and conspiracy that surrounded Quintus and Kaeso's fate.

This story successfully gripping me right from the very first page to the last page. Trust me, I’ve hold my breath in panic for what happen on the last few chapters when the D-day has come. And unconsciously chants my pray, “Please….please, don’t let that happen. Please…”

Nova Praetorian – no doubt - is another EPIC read from N.R Walker, and again she had proved her amazing touch in writing an emotional story with classic historical background and make it feels so real! 

If you love historical romance with Roman touch, then this book is for YOU!!

Highly Recommended!!!

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.

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