ARC REVIEW : The Fall (Love In O'Leary #1) by May Archer

Title: The Fall
Author: May Archer
Genre(s): contemporary gay romance
Series: Love In O'Leary, book 1
Release Date: September 26th 2018
Rating : 3/5 Stars
Buy Link : Amazon 

“I was in free fall the moment we met, and I just keep falling.”

Small town police officer Silas Sloane knows every resident of O’Leary, New York. He’s earned the love and respect of its citizens, though living under the small-town microscope grates on him. But though he’s good at his job, there’s one thing he’s not good at: commitments… Until Everett.

Widower Everett Maior, O’Leary’s newest citizen, came to the small town kicking and screaming. He never wanted to become primary caretaker for his grandfather, and has no interest in living the provincial life. Snarky and superstitious, he’s proficient at keeping people at a distance... Until he lays eyes Officer Silas Sloane.

Strange, unsettling occurrences are plaguing O’Leary, though. As danger looms, Silas and Everett find their growing attraction undeniable. But can they remain safe…and together…despite everything that threatens to tear them apart?

I’m totally curious which couple/characters from The Date who will get the first spotlight in the first book from Love In O'Leary series by May Archer. So, when it turned out that Silas/Si Sloane, the hot smexy small town police officer from the prequel who will be the first to take the spotlight, it intrigued me even more.

The premise of the story looks so good, the grieving theme the author trying to bring into the surface is interesting enough to read, but unfortunately it’s not enough to play my emotions during the reading. I like the banters but I didn't feel a strong connection between Ev and Si like what I expected to be. The sparks between the two MCs was just so-so for me, but the push and pull games between Si and Ev is one thing that I like here, the sexual innuendos was 'there' since the beginning but still not convincing enough for me to light up the mood. The suspense the author trying to build through mysterious disappearance of the campers and the possibility of serial killer issues that roaming in the woods and the twist at nearly end of the story didn’t help much to add more stars to my review.

Silas's changing from a commitment phobic into someone who crave a steady relationship after he met Ev is another things that I like from this book, but on the contrary, Everett 'uncertainty' a bit annoying me at some part.

This book still as confusing as the prequel with a lot secondary characters that trying to grab the spotlight and I must admit it a bit dulling the MCs part. I still struggling in memorizing the 'who is who' almost the entire reading and need to back and forth to the previous page (or even reopen the prequel book, The Date!) to digging some information about the secondary characters that shown up as the fellow ‘towny people’ or those who become the inner circle in this series who have constant interaction with the main MCs.

Overall, the story quite promising enough especially with the interesting opening that gave me a bit goosebumps sensation at the beginning, but as I dive more deep into the story, it turned out that the story was far from what I expected and ended as an okay reading for me. I'm sure there's a lot of people out there who will love this book better than I do, but unfortunately this book didn't work well with me. Or maybe it’s just ME who can’t relate with the story quite well...

So, the next question is, will I still interested in continuing this series?

Well…if the next book will be about Daniel Michaelson, I think I can give this series another try…
Because this guy definitely made me curious and I want to know MORE about him!

ARC REVIEW : Honey from the Lion (Love Across Time #2) by Jackie North

Title: Honey from the Lion
Author: Jackie North
Series: Love Across Time series, standalone
Genre(s): time travel romance, gay romance
Release Date: September 21st 2018
Rating : 5/5 Stars
Buy Link : Amazon

Soulmates across time. A love that was meant to be.

In present day, Laurie, tired of corporate life, takes a much-needed vacation at Farthingdale Dude Ranch.

The very first night a freak blizzard combined with a powerful meteor shower takes Laurie back to the year 1891. When he wakes up in a snowbank, his only refuge is an isolated cabin inhabited by the gruff, grouchy John Henton, who only wants to be left alone. His sense of duty prevails, however, and he takes Laurie under his care, teaching him how to survive on the wild frontier.

As winter approaches, Laurie's normal fun-loving manner make it difficult for him to connect with John, but in spite of John's old-fashioned ways, the chemistry between them grows.

Sparks fly as the blizzard rages outside the cabin. Can two men from different worlds and different times find happiness together?

A male/male time travel romance, complete with hurt/comfort, true confessions, a shared bed, fireplace kisses, the angst of separation, and true love across time.

"I would lie to keep you… 

If they asked me, do you love him, I would lie and say no just so I could keep you."

If the first book of Love Across Time series was about a soldier from WWI who traveled across the time to the present day. In this second book is about a man who traveled back in 1891 and then met the love of his life...

When I read Heroes for Ghosts, I was amazed by the author writing and her capabilities in engaged the reader to the story. And I fall in love instantly with her writing since then…

So, I have this great feeling that the second book will be as amazing as the first one, and I’m so glad when its right.

Honey from the Lion is another beautiful and heartwarming time travel story that I ever read. The two main characters are so endearing with very strong impression. Laurie journey to the past and how he trying to adjust in his new life back in time when he met John were portrayed and feels so natural.

The interactions and emotional connection between Laurie and John was build up in a very slow pace. The chemistry was there and strong since the very beginning. Their growing affection to each other and those simply innocent touch during the chores in the cabin are written in beautiful way. The slow burn successfully added the anticipation into the high level.

I got a bit emotional and cried at nearly end of the book for what happen to Laurie and John.

Laurie knew how John story would end, and I know he’ll do anything to change it even if he must left his live behind and have no chance to meet his friends anymore….

I was hope that Laurie would told John about his story and where he came from, but I seems he decided to keep all that to himself and didn’t want to confused John with the time travel theory that will ruined what they already have. But still, I feel it’s not quite right for Laurie for not leaving any specific clue to Maxton and Zach about his ‘leaving’ and let them ‘grieving’ for the second time…

Honey from the Lion is not only a story about a man who finding his one true love through time but also the story about a journey to finding what your heart’s desire, a home where your heart always belong…forever…

And when the shooting stars finally find its way to get back home together with the Iron mountain, the sad story of Old Joe and his little red fox finally have the new ending….

"…(because) the Iron Mountain doesn't grant wishes, it gives you your heart's desire."

ARC REVIEW : Invisible Ink (Paint #3) by Emma Jaye

Title : Invisible Ink by Emma Jaye
Part of Series : Paint Book 3
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance, May/DecemberDecember
Release Date : September 18th 2018
My Rating(s) : 5/5 Stars
Buy Link : Amazon


*)Trigger Warning : Contains scenes of drug taking, domestic abuse and self-harm.

Alex Fletcher waits for life.

One more year and he can move away, stop wearing hoodies to hide the bruises, self-inflicted scars and his sexuality.
No one knows him, no one sees him, until Chris Bacon shows him how to laugh, dance, live life in the moment, out and proud.
The lesson that life is too short hits harder than one of his dad’s punches.
Living the dream, being visible, is a step too far without chemical help.

Doctor, paramedic, drug counsellor, Nate Cooper is haunted by the brother he failed to save.
Brining Alex back to life on the floor of a gay nightclub is only the first step.
Peeling away the layers to find the real Alex means blurring the lines between age, upbringing, social position and the patient/doctor relationship.

Is Alex worth wrecking his career and giving up his addiction of saving lives?

Contains possible triggers for drug use, domestic abuse, self-harm and social anxiety.

“Just because you hide under that hood, it doesn’t mean I don’t see you.”

I didn’t expect to love this book more than the two previous book. I mean, I do love Chris and Jase, and I have this huge feeling that Alex and Nate story will be another something, but I must admit that I FLOVED this book a bit MORE than Chris’s book! Uhm, sorry Chris!

Both Chris and Alex have their own demons and issues, fragile at one side but also strong at the other side. And that’s why you’ll love them equally with their own uniqueness.

Nate's personality had caught my curiosity since he step into Chris’s life and help him survive from the addiction. The fact that he’s actually have everything but choose to become a medic and dedicated his life to save people from their addiction had made me curious about his background stories and past life. And when I have the hint that he’ll ended with the young Alex? It curious me even more…

The story successfully engulfed me right from the very beginning to the very last page. I know there will be a lot more angst and some scenes that will triggered the reader because of the domestic abuses and what Alex did to himself. What Alex been through and all the self harm he did (which describe and portrayed in very blunt and realistic way) really broke my heart. And I know, how difficult for Nate to ‘reach’ Alex since he didn’t trust anyone easily and always hide behinds the wall he build around him to protect himself and be invisible. How Nate using his unique technique to reach Alex  and communicate with him is brilliant. And I smile when what Nate did finally have new progress.

The characters development is amazing, the author portraying their weakness and strengths in almost believable way. And it’s hard not to involved your emotions in it. Alex depression, frustration and hurt and Nate’s struggle to keep everything as professional as he could and not cross their patient-doctor rule when he must deal with his growing feeling to Alex are written in very good way. It hurts me to watch how they both trying so hard put each other at arm’s length but at the same time seeing how they need each other like the air to breathe was so frustrating.

This book is an emotional, deep and passionate read, the story was intense and successfully squeeze my emotions and made my heart bleed. The author still good at playing with reader emotions and I think that’s what make this book worth enough to read.

RECOMMENDED!

Catch up on the series!

Paint 1 | Paint 2

About Emma Jaye

Emma is the #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of series such as Hybrid, Call Girls, Paint and Incubus.

She have a reputation for writing in a wide swathe of genres, from Sci-fi and paranormal, to contemporary romance and erotica in m/f, m/m and multiple partners. She blame her rebellious muse (who looks like Chris from the Paint Series) for the angst aspects snogging the lust , and the banter biting the bum of suspense. You’ll find all this and more in her books! No matter the genre, she promises different characters, dark themes, steamin’ sex, laughs and a HEA or HFN.

After papering the loo with exam certificates (which she claims are all hers) Emma tried her hand at various jobs from tropical fish farmer, pet product development scientist, and academic course writer she discovered the fun of writing steamy fiction.

When she's not writing or beta reading/editing for a publishing company, she herds cats and sons, (occasionally a long suffering husband) and authors in the Goodreads Review Group where she rules supreme with a rather sexy flogger.

Facebook - Reader Group - Goodreads - Website - Instagram  - Twitter - Google +

REVIEW : DOVE: Spread Your Wings (Recovery #2) by Angelique Jurd

Title : DOVE : Spread Your Wings (Recovery #2) by Angelique Jurd
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance, short story
Publication Date : August 29th 2018
My Rating(s) : 4.5/5 Stars
Book One Review Link : Goodreads

After surviving a fire that left him emotionally and physically injured, then rejected by a partner who couldn't cope with the aftermath, Lucas spent a year drinking in silence at the local gay bar. The bartender, Connor, eventually won him over and he started to live again. As Lucas begins rebuilding his life, his mother Gayle refuses to accept Connor's presence and hopes Lucas will reunite with his ex. Still battling nightmares, depression, and guilt, Lucas has to choose: stay in the darkness or let Connor help him find the light?

The more I read about this series, the more I like it.

This second installment of the series still brought the same feeling like what the first book did to me.

The second part of the story started right after Connor moved to Lucas apartment and showing the next stage of their brand new relationship with all the ups and downs.

The story still as interesting and heartbreaking as the first book. Here we can know a little more deeper about Lucas struggle to fight his trauma, depression and insecurity and how fragile his relationship with Connor when Lucas still struggling with his self confidence after what happen to him. On the other side, Connor also have his own ‘mess' he need to deal and Connor's uncertainty and jealousy to Lucas's ex almost ruined their relationship and commitments.

Will they overcome all the obstacles in their relationship?

Again, the author show her amazing skill by slowly revealed both Lucas and Connor's past and put it together so nicely in a good writing. Knowing that Connor was not ‘that’ perfect and have his own 'issues' has made he looks a bit more 'human' than the perfect guy impression we saw before and made the story more believable.

One thing that a bit not logic for me here is how can Lucas’s mother did such things like that to his own son? How come she sided with Justin after what he did to him and didn’t care with what Lucas feels. Is she blind or have no sense at all?

I really can't wait for what will happen next to their  story. I need to know more about Connor's background story and what make he want to help and fix things, include Chris.

And I wish I could hear more story about Chris and Phill. Will they have their own book? I want to know what happened to Chris when he first met Connor. What his story? I’m really curious.

RECOMMENDED!