Review : Too Close by R. Phoenix

Title : Too Close

Author : R. Phoenix

Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance, M/M Romance

Published : December 30th 2016

My Rating(s) : 4 out of 5 Stars

Skylar Orion's life has been complicated ever since his mother abandoned him and his sister Evie. Making ends meet seemed impossible until Tate Chandler took them in -- his knight in shining armor who promised to make life about more than just surviving. But Tate is not the man he seemed to be, and even his whispered I love yous and generous gifts do little to soothe the pain he causes. Knowing he can't give his sister all that she deserves without Tate, Skylar stays with him, relying on bad puns and a worse sense of humor to keep up the charade.

For his sister he will do anything, even if that means acting the responsible adult and going back to his old high school to meet Dexter Weston, the hot math teacher who can make even algebra interesting. Sparks fly between the two of them, but with his dependence on Tate, Skylar isn't free to follow his heart. He wants what is best for Evie, but can he pass up the chance to find love that heals instead of harms?

Warning: Graphic Domestic Abuse and Violence. 

I can’t do this for me – I don’t deserve better, a rancorous voice in the back of my mind suggests – but I can do it for her. I’ll always be strong for Evie. 

...because what I need doesn’t really matter...

After being abandon by their mother, Skylar must took care of his sister, Evie, leave school and whore himself to keep the food to their mouth to stay alive. He need to give a roof and steady live so that they didn't ended in foster care. 

Tate’s been paying to fuck him since he was seventeen before they finally came into 'an agreement'. Offering his house as comfortable place to stay with Evie in exchange for his body. How can he say no?

Because he will do anything to keep his sister safe and give her good education that he'll never have, even if that's means he must become Tate's 'personal whore' and endured his possessive-abusive behavior and keep it all to himself.

Then come Dexter,  his sister math teacher. There's something in Dexter that stir something in Skylar that had long died along with what Tate had done to him.

The spark between them really hard to denied, but Skylar won't risk what he feels with if that means he must leave Tate house with nothing in hands and jeopardize Evie's future. No need to risk his heart with love, right?

But when Tate abusive behavior getting worst and brutal, will he finally have the courage to say enough and leave?

I decided to read this book because the blurb succeed drawn my curiosity due to the promising premise that the story will be full of angst and dark even the book cover didn't look eye catching enough to please my coverslut eyes. But later when I finished the book, I finally understand the correlations between the new growing plant in the cover with the story the author trying to tell. And I think it perfect!

R. Phoenix is a new author to me and Too Close is my first book of her which surprisingly the writing suit my liking. I like the story and how Dexter help Skylar, loving him but at the same time also give Skylar the space to gained back his self confidence & self control after being used and abused by Tate. Help him stand on his own feet and healed before the both jump into the next step in their relationship. All was very well written with good pace. And that's what I think made this story worth to read. 

There are actually few questions that still playing in my mind after I finished the book about some things that feels not quite right here and there, but overall, the story was good enough and the writing also fine, and I didn't care much about the 'missing things' because in the end I gave my rare four stars to this book.

🍒🍒🍒

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

Book Blitz & Review Tour : Perfect (Soulmates #4) by Felice Stevens

Title : Perfect
Author : Felice Stevens
Part of series : Soulmates #4
Publication date: February 23rd 2018
Genre(s): Adult, LGBTQ+, Romance

My Ratings : 5 out of 5 Stars

Despite multiple degrees and business success, in his heart Jeremy Strauss feels he’s never measured up. While he hasn’t lacked for men or women to share his bed, Jeremy has yet to find someone who sees beyond his muscles and perfect smile. Taking it slow with a lover isn’t how he operates, but something about the shy accountant he rescues in a snowstorm makes him want this time to be different. So what if Blake drops little comments here and there about Jeremy’s pretty face? Their relationship is perfect.

Or is it?

Lonely most of his life, Blake Myers is as careful with his heart as he is with a balance sheet. The last thing he expects is for a man like Jeremy to fall for him, and he can’t help but wait for the bubble to burst on their relationship. When the stress of a professional crisis turns personal, Blake sees the perfect relationship he and Jeremy have built start to crumble. Caught in an ever-tightening web of lies, rather than wait for Jeremy to leave him, Blake breaks it off and vanishes.

Perfection is an illusion.

Jeremy doesn’t know which way to turn and for the first time in his life, he’s lost and uncertain. Believing he’s no longer the man Jeremy needs, Blake sinks deeper into despair. Both men struggle with secrets, lies, and hurtful memories until they are forced to look inside their hearts and learn the truth—that love is perfectly imperfect.

At around six thirty, his desk phone buzzed. “Yeah?”

    “Blake here to see you?”

    His pulse sped up. “Be right there.” Jeremy ran a hand through his hair and walked out of his office to the front desk. In his suit and tie and dark wool overcoat, Blake looked sexy and sophisticated. Jeremy felt like an underdressed slob in his sweats and T-shirt. His heart pounded, and his palms turned sweaty. What the hell was happening to him?

    “Hey. I’m here.”

    When their eyes met, Blake’s face lit up, and he smiled. “Hi. This place is great. I can’t believe you started it from scratch.”

    “Yep. I did.” Seeing the curious glances of both Benny and Gino, Jeremy took Blake’s hand in his. “Guys. This is my boyfriend, Blake. Blake.” He squeezed Blake’s hand. “The dark-haired guy is Gino, and the redhead is Benny. They’re my right-hand men.”

    “Nice to meet you both.”

    Gino gaped at him. “Boyfriend? You never said you were even dating anyone.”

    “I didn’t realize I owed you an explanation.” Jeremy chuckled and shook his head. “Blake and I are going back to my office, so unless it’s my brother or the mayor, no interruptions. Got it?”

    They nodded, staring at him with wide, shocked eyes, but he ignored them and pulled Blake along, anxious to be alone with him.

    He pushed Blake into his office and slammed the door shut behind him, locking it. “Finally. I’ve been waiting all day to do this.”

    He covered Blake’s mouth with his and kissed him deep and hard, his tongue pressing at the seam of Blake’s lips. For a moment, Blake stiffened, but when Jeremy slipped his tongue inside, Blake grabbed on to his shoulder and began to kiss him back with equal fervor.

    “Mmmm. That’s better.” His hands sure and steady, Jeremy first pushed off Blake’s coat and suit jacket, then loosened his tie. “Wanna know what sexy fantasies I’ve been having all day since you said you were coming over?”

    Blake stared at him, wild-eyed and panting. “Yeah. Tell me.”

    “You, bent over my sofa, naked. Me fucking you, while outside people are walking by. Maybe they hear us, maybe they don’t.”

    He watched Blake’s eyes glaze over with lust. Jeremy was more than willing to make Blake’s fantasy a reality. Getting him off in semi-public was hot as hell, and the desire Jeremy stemmed all day burst free. He wanted Blake. Now.

    “Take off everything.”

    Breathing heavily, Blake licked his lips. “But what if someone needs you? They’ll knock on the door and—”

    “And I won’t answer because I’ll be too busy being inside you. Come on. Get naked.”

“...you’re the one I want to be with because when we’re not together, something’s missing. It doesn’t feel right.”

If I can only use one word to describe what I felt about this book, it would be PERFECT!!

This book succeed toying with my feeling right from the beginning to the last page.

Jeremy had caught my attention right from the minute he show up at One Call Away book as Noah's caring brother. And at that time I do really wish that he will have his own book because I know he has a lot story to tell. And I have no doubt that his story will be something.

And when the author said that Jeremy will have his own book, can you imagine how excited I am? 

As always, Felice never failed me with her writings, there's always a magic touch in every story she wrote. The simplicity and very ordinary characters she wrote always took special place in reader heart and leave deep impression.

I love Jeremy and his patience with Blake's insecurity problems. There's a time when I 'hate' Blake for keeping the truth from Jeremy that caused the friction in their relationship, but at the same time, I really want to hug Blake for his inability to speak the truth due to lack of self confident caused by what his father did to him.

“You burst into my life like some kind of fantasy. The jock and the nerd. A guy like you liking me? Loving me? After a lifetime of being a nobody, I wanted to believe you were going to stay. That I could be your somebody... 
You’re everything I ever wanted and never thought I could have...”

In Blake whole life, compliment was a rare thing he have. For years he struggling to be 'accepted' as 'somebody' by his father, friends and later by people at his workplace. So, when a good looking handsome guy like Jeremy said he likes him, it's hard for Blake to believe that it's true...

When they took their relationship into the next step, deep in Blake mind he keep questioning when  this happiness will be end? Because nothing is perfect right?

And when everything finally crumbled down, Blake choose to leave and broke Jeremy heart.

The good things here is Jeremy not a type of guy who give up easily. When he can't denied anymore that live without Blake was impossible for him, he then try to win back Blake's heart and bring him home.

Both Jeremy and Blake are not perfect, they both also have their own demons and insecurity problems, but together, these two imperfect persons completed each other in amazing way...

“You said I had something of yours?”  

“Yeah. My heart. Since you’ve been gone, I can’t find it anywhere. I figure you took it with you.”

🍀🍀🍀

Perfect

Amazon

I have always been a romantic at heart. I believe that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, My characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love, but getting there is oh so fun and oh so sexy.

I live in New York City with my husband and two children. My day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass (or two of red wine). I practice law but daydream of a time when I can sit by a beach somewhere and write beautiful stories of men falling in love. Although there are bound to be a few bumps along the way, a Happily Ever After is always guaranteed.

If you join my newsletter: LINK HERE you'll get exclusive content, sneak peeks at new books and contests. I feature favorite authors, recipes and free short stories!

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Re-release & Review : Taxes and Tardis by N.R. Walker

Title : Taxes and Tardis

Author : N.R. Walker

Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance

Published : April 28th 2012 (1st published), February 22nd 2018 (re-released & re-edited with new cover)

My Ratings : 4 out of 5 Stars

Brent Kelly is a laid-back tradesman whose only concerns are drinks with friends and which man to bed next. In need of a new accountant to sort out his nightmarish shoebox of tax receipts, he's referred to Logan Willis. He doesn't expect to be intrigued by the science fiction-loving, geeky guy with dark-rimmed glasses and a TARDIS-blue shirt. So his fascination with the soft-spoken Englishman surprises him, and their mutual attraction is completely unexpected. He most certainly never expects to fall in love. One a jock and the other a geek, both men know the differences between them are vast and could cause problems. But in this opposites-attract erotic drama, maybe it's the differences between them that make staying together worth the fight.

...and before I could even smile, he kissed me...

"You are just what I needed."

Well, I have no idea what Tardis is, I know Dr. Who but never following the series either.
So, yes. I spent the half reading by Google everything mentioned in this book about Dr. Who things. Lol.
And that's one fun things to do!

I love this story and this cute opposites attract between Brent and Logan. I'm not usually like the insta-love things, but I found this story so cute and made me smile at some part.

Oh and I blame the author for my strange craziness for this cute three dimensional Tardis keychain!!

Amazon

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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Release Blitz & ARC Review : Pretty in Pink (Housemates #6) by Jay Northcote

Title: Pretty in Pink

Author: Jay Northcote

Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)

Length: 58,000 words approx

Genre: Contemporary m/m romance/erotica, bisexual, new adult

Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh

Release Date: Wednesday 21st February 2018

Series info: Housemates #6

My Rating : 5 out of 5 Stars

Ryan isn’t looking for a relationship with a guy—and Johnny isn’t looking for a relationship at all.

Ryan’s always been attracted to tall, leggy blondes—normally of the female variety. When Johnny catches his eye at a party, Ryan’s interest is piqued even though he’s never been with a guy before. The attraction is mutual, and the amazing night that follows opens Ryan’s eyes to his bisexuality.

Experience has taught Johnny that love hurts. Staying single is safer, and there’s no need for complicated relationships when hooking up is easy. When he moves in next door to Ryan, they’re both interested in picking up where they left off, and it seems like an ideal arrangement: convenient, mutually satisfying, and with no strings attached.

Despite their best intentions to keep things casual, they develop an emotional connection alongside the physical one. Both begin to want more from the relationship but are afraid to admit it. If they’re going to work things out, they need to start being honest—first with themselves, and then with each other.

Although this book is part of the Housemates series, it has new main characters, a satisfying happy ending, and can be read as a standalone. 

This arrangement was only supposed to be about sex...

Remember Sid's flatmate, Johnny? The long blond hair guy with feminine look and black Kohl from previous book?

Yes! This is his story!

And I've been dying to read his story since his appearance had stole my attention at Ben's birthday party.

I have special fond with feminine looking guy, and that's why I've been attract to him since his first appearance. So that's why I'm so excited when he finally has his own book.

It was hot and sexy reading and a bit emotional because I have this constant urge to slapped both Johnny and Ryan for being so 'stupid'. They NEED to learn how to communicate and didn't fall to their own false assumptions. Many says that they 'hate' Johnny for his stupidity, for letting Ryan "used' him like that, but IMO Johnny has his own reason and I want to hug him so many times. As for Ryan? I want to slapped him so many times for being so selfish and idiot!!

But I must admit that this miscommunication part was actually the best part that make this story emotional enough to read. 

I think I must give the credit to Ewan, Sid & Ben for being there when both Ryan and Johnny need someone to help them cleared their mind.

Young, fresh and hot. That's what I like from Jay Northcote's, The Housemates series. If a series can be so addictive, this series is one of it!

Even it's said that this book can be read as stand alone because it has new characters, but still I suggest you to read ALL previous books in this series so you didn't missed and/or confused with the other housemates members that make their 'cameo' in this book like Ewan & Dev, Sid & Ben and Mac & Jez from the others book.

And I recommended ALL book in this series to read!

🍒🍒🍒

Warning : this book come with D.R.I.P warning (Don't Read in Public) caused by sexy guyliner with tight skinny jeans & boots, sexy pink lacey panties and the MC's that have this bum-fetish like ME!

Amazon

Pretty in Pink

The Housemates Series is a collection of standalone stories set around a student house in Britain. This new adult series focuses on themes of self-discovery and sexual awakening.

Amazon Links :

Helping Hand (Housemates #1)

Like a Lover (Housemates #2)

Practice Makes Perfect (Housemates #3)

Watching and Wanting (Housemate #4)

Starting from Scratch (Housemates #5)

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 : His Heart by Claire Kingsley

Title : His Heart
Author : Claire Kingsley
Genre(s) : Contemporary Romance, abuse, college
Published : November 8th 2017
My Rating : 4 Stars

Brooke Summerlin’s life is like a Cinderella story. Raised by an abusive, drug addicted mother, she desperately hides the truth about where she comes from. But Prince Charming arrives in the form of Liam, the most popular guy at school. He sweeps into her life and carries her away to what is supposed to be a happily ever after.

Until it isn’t.

Sebastian McKinney is the son of an Iowa state champion wrestler, and that’s what he’s going to be. Wrestling is his life. He’s focused. Determined. Nothing will stand in his way.

Except a silent illness that almost kills him.

Brooke’s greatest tragedy becomes Sebastian’s second chance at life. Four years later, he’s moving forward, his body healthy, while she is left to sink in grief that threatens to drown her. Haunted by a past she can’t escape.

But sometimes love transcends the boundaries of life and death—between what is known and what cannot be explained. The heart that loved Brooke continues to beat, and even now, it still beats for her. 

“This heart is yours. It always was, and I’m grateful every day that it led me to you.”

I usually don't read straight contemporary romance again since my preference had changed years ago. But this book cover and blurb had caught my attention and made me curious. So, I decided to give this book a try...

I really didn't want to spill any spoilers about this book because all the feels that the book gave me when I'm reading it.

So instead of trying to 'retelling' the story with my own words, I decided to focusing on what I feels during the reading...

Claire Kingsley definitely a new author to me and I found out that her writing pretty good and suit to my liking. Simply but deep enough to make me feels the MC's emotions and their struggling. Good characters development was the other plus I gave to this book. How the MC's facing their own 'trauma' and deal with it feels so logic & believable. 

The slow pace with good plotting was another plus points that made this book feels so intense. The story itself divided into three part and each phase was telling Brooke and Liam's story and Sebastian story as part of 'the before', and the last part telling us the story about how Brooke and Sebastian meet which I called is as 'the after'. And this is the part when the author playing with the reader feels way more 'intense'.

I can't denied that I do 'hate' Brooke at some part, for keep pushing away people who truly love and care for her. But I tried to put myself on Brooke's shoes and ask myself 'what will I do if what happen to Brooke happen to me', and then I start to see things differently. That 'letting go' was NOT the easy things to do. Brooke NEED to letting go, but in the process, she NEED someone who could make her see the future and make her feel ALIVE again...

I actually have read a book that feels similar to this one years ago, about 'the heart that still knowing his love ones even fate had made them apart', but I must admit that this one feels way more intense and the 'journey' feels a bit longer.

His Heart definitely a long emotional reading, but it totally worth your time.

RECOMMENDED!

Review : Borrowing Blue (Made Marian #1) by Lucy Lennox

Title : Borrowing Blue

Series : Made Marian #1

Author : Lucy Lennox

Genre(s) : Contemporary Gay Romance

Published : November 23rd 2016

My Rating : 4 Stars

Blue: When my ex walks into the resort bar with his new husband on his arm, I want nothing more than to prove to him that I've moved on. Thankfully, the sexy stranger sitting next to me is more than willing to share a few kisses in the name of revenge. It gets even better when those scorching kisses turn into a night of fiery passion.

The only problem? Turns out the stranger's brother is marrying my sister later this week.

Tristan: I have one rule: no messing with the guests at my vineyard resort. Of course the one exception I make turns out to be the brother of the woman my brother's about to marry. Now we're stuck together for a week of wedding activities, and there's no avoiding the heat burning between us.

So fine, we make a deal: one week. One week to enjoy each other's bodies and get it out of our system. Once the bride and groom say I do and we become family, it'll all be over between us. Right?

Fair warning: Blue and Tristan's story contains smoking hot scenes of man parts touching, pee-in-pants descriptions of grannies cursing, and the sweet improbability of two strangers finding their happily ever after when they least expect it.

Well, actually I read this story last year. Yup! January 2017. LAST YEAR!

But I can still remember vividly what the story was all about, because it's hard to forget the story that leave deep impression to your heart even it's already been a year.

Borrowing Blue was my first Lucy Lennox's book and I clicked instantly with her writing style right from the start. And since then, I'm hooked to The Marian's family and all their 'craziness'. 

This series really hard to 'resist' and completely 'addicted'. Once you know The Marian's, trust me....you cannot resist their 'charms'!

The first book from the series is about Blue. One of The Marian's guys who just got dumped by his longterm boyfriend for the younger more fresh guy.

When his ex get invited to Blue's little sister wedding and bring along his new boy toy, Blue didn't want his ex found him with no spouse to the wedding. So, when he accidentally spot his ex and his new lover at the bar near the vineyard where his sister wedding will be held, Blue then 'asking' this stranger who sit beside him at the bar to 'help' him pretend as his boyfriend. 

When his ex finally spot him, surpringly, the drop dead gorgeous stranger agreed to help Blue covering him as 'his' boyfriend and play along convincingly.

One passionate kiss followed by another breathtaking kiss...and then the next thing they know is they want more.....

What Blue never expected is that later he found out that the handsome stranger was actually the brother of his-soon-to-be his brother in law. And another shocking thing is...he is  STRAIGHT!!!

Things then start to feels awkward and funny as hell when they decided to continue their charade as boyfriend in front their family and facing Blue's mother craziness to set another wedding bells to both of them.

The ups and downs of the feeling between the two went a bit more intense during the week before the wedding being held.

When what they thought was just a fling become way more intense , will they both denying the growing feeling between them? Will they stick to their terms to ended what they did when the wedding is over?

Well, you can't 'borrowing' someone else heart and leave it just like that, right?

Can Blue leave his heart at the vineyard and chase his dream?

Find how these two trying to deal with their feels. Trust me, you'll keep that silly smiling face the whole reading!

🍀🍀🍀

I can't believe that this is actually a debut novel from the author! For a debut novel, I must admit that the author pass all the test with flying colors!

I really enjoying the writing and the plot. And all the characters in this book, especially this Aunt Tilly, badass old lady that 'sees' anything clearly right from the very start! She's no doubt become my favorite character in this series!

What I like about this book is even what had happen between Blue and Tristan was a bit too fast and could be said as 'insta-love', but their insta-connection didn't feel meh (at least for me), on the contrary it feels beautiful and I like it.

Like I said before, I like the author writing style. The story was light with low angst with loveable characters, some also a bit annoying but there's also fun and badass characters here that will shocked you with what they did like Aunt Tilly and The grannies!

What I don't like in this story is the way Blue choose to 'believe' Jen, Tristan's ex-wife, bullshit rather that trusting Tristan and let Jen lies consumed him and jeopardize what they have. And the unlogic thing about why Blue's parents keep inviting Blue's ex to the wedding when they know that it will hurt their son feeling? It's totally weird ya know...

But overall, this book  totally compelling and you shouldn't miss it!

See you in the next book!

I can't wait to tell you more about The Marian's boys and the badass old lady, Aunt Tilly!

RECOMMENDED!