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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REVIEW : Sugar Daddy by Lucy Hawkins

Title : Sugar Daddy
Author : Lucy Hawkins
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance, age gap
Publication Date : September 10th 2018
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Elliot Santos had heard enough about the mysterious manwhore who lived in the apartment building above his cafe, Sugar, to know he didn't think very highly of them. Number Nine had sent a string of morning-afters through the doors of Sugar to caffeinate before making their walk of shame. The details? rarely spared. Elliot knew that Number Nine apparently didn't have a type, except male, and that he always sent them away wanting more.

Sworn off a certain type of man and wondering if there was anyone at all out there who would think he was enough, unlucky in love Elliot has put all his energy into Sugar since the demise of his last relationship. On his morning delivery run, he stumbles across a very naughty dachshund running through the apartment building corridor - and a very naked man chasing her. If Elliot had ever been skeptical about love at first sight - this moment might have changed it. Except that the charmingly handsome naked dude happens to live in apartment number nine.

Ken Donohugh made the cross-country move to San Fransico after his divorce was final. It was time for a fresh start, a new job, and new friends. Even if they only ever made it through a night in the sack. Ken was done with real love. He'd been there, done that, and had his life completely turned upside down in the process. Now was his time to do what he liked and what exactly that was, he was letting himself take time to figure out.

When a handsome long-haired sweetheart helps him wrangle his naughty dog, Penny, he knows exactly who his next conquest will be. Except that much younger Elliot owns the bakery below his apartment and he can't give up the delicious sweet treats he bakes. He decides a friendship will be enough - until it isn't.

With two men who want such different things in love, Elliot and Ken must navigate what their feelings mean. Can Elliot learn to love a little less? And will Ken ever be able to tame his ferocious sweet tooth?

Sugar Daddy is another light and fun reading. It’s sweet, a bit cheesy and fluffy with the promise of daddy kink.

The writing is okay with two very unique and lovely main characters. I like how these two broken people with trust issue trying to learn how to trust and being in love again after what their ex did to them. The journey was not easy, especially with Elliot’s trauma and Ken's first impression as ‘the number nine' completed with his serial ONS reputations didn’t quite helping to give a good impression on their first meet. So they need to learn how to open their heart and trust again and survived the poison Ken’s asshole ex did to ruin their fairly new relationship before they finally have their HEA.

There’s few things that bother me a bit in this book which didn’t sit quite well with the story that come from both Ken and Elliot side. But since I’m in a very cheesy messy mood while reading this book I choose to blind myself to all those not logic things that happen in this book and let myself ‘enjoying’ the story.

There are  few secondary characters here that made me curious. I want to know more about Max and Finley story and also Ken's friend, Bentley. I hope they’ll have their own book soon.

REVIEW : Unwritten Law (Steele Brothers #1) by Eden Finley

Title : Unwritten Law
Author : Eden Finley
Series : Steele Brothers #1
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : September 2nd 2018
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Being an identical twin doesn’t come without issues.

No one can tell us apart, not even our parents sometimes. We don’t usually use that to our advantage, but it comes in handy when my brother needs help breaking up with his boyfriends—which happens more than I’d care to admit. I know it’s enabling him, but I can’t say no to Anders. I will do anything for my twin. The breakups always go the same; they’re swift and simple.

Until Reed.

He’s everything I've fantasised about but never allowed myself to have. When I give in to temptation and begin to freak out, it’s not because he’s a guy. It’s because he thinks I’m my brother, and I can’t bring myself to tell him the truth.

**Unwritten Law is a 52,000 word stand alone with a HFN/HEA guarantee and no cliffhanger. It contains a mistaken identity trope. Please check trigger warnings in the front matter.**

I want to know what it’s like…hooking up with my brother’s date…

The story is interesting enough, about a man who trapped in his own lies because he falling in love with a man who should have hook up with his twin brother. The story a bit complicated because everything start with a lie then following by another lies and the next thing you know, you being trapped in your own circle of lies. And when the truth finally revealed in such a bad way, it’s already too late because the damage already hurt both side.

The question is….will there’s still a chance to Lawson and Reed to fix all the damage caused by the lies and put aside their ego to be together again?

This book had gained my attention since I read the blurb for the first time.

I love the idea of the story and how it completely blend very well with the pace and writing. Both main characters have their own 'issues' and 'anger' from their past. The conflicts are intriguing enough and subplots is another thing that made this story interesting enough to follow.

Overall, the book is good even though it's didn't give me the WOW effect like I expected before, but I must admit that it entertaining me at some level.

I want to know more about Lawson's twin brother, Anders. What will happen next to him.

Will Brody could be the one who can set Anders free from all the traumatic memories left by Anders abusive ex? Really can't wait!

REVIEW & BLOG TOUR : Boy Shattered by Eli Easton

Title : Boy Shattered

Author : Eli Easton

Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance

Length: 85,000 words approx.

Publication Date : October 16th 2018

Cover Design: Tiferet Design

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Rating : 3/5 Stars

October 16 - Romantic Ramblings, My Fiction Nook, Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter, Gay Book Reviews, Amy's MM Romance Reviews, Dilyana's World, Funzee's Cozy Couch, Lelyana's Reviews, Rainbow Gold Reviews, Boulevard des Passions, October 17 - Love Bytes Reviews, October 18 - The Librarian's Corner, Xtreme Delusions, Megan's Media Melange, Urban Smoothie Read, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Reading In Sarah's Corner, Kaidans Seduction, Dream Love Imagine, October 19 - The Novel Approach, October 20 - Cupcakes & Bookshelves, Book Corner Reviews, Jim's Reading Room, We Three Queens, Making It Happen, Wicked Reads, V's Reads, October 22 - Wicked Faerie's Tales & Reviews, Open Mind For A Different View, MM Good Book Reviews, October 23 - Mirrigold, October 24 - Bonkers About Books, Valerie Ullmer, Sanaa's Book Blog, BFD Book Blog, Lillian Francis, Jessie G Books, Books Laid Bare Boys, Love, Sawyer, October 25 - Gay Book Reviews, October 26 - Bayou Book Junkie

Brian
You’ll make it out of here, Brian. I swear.
I had everything—school quarterback, popular with girls, and my dad was proud of me. I told myself it didn’t matter no one knew the real me. And then I nearly died. Landon saved my life. He’s the bravest guy I know. He came out a few years ago, proud and fierce, and he ran into gunfire to help others. Me, I’m a mess. Can’t even stand to be in a room with the curtains open. But here’s the thing about losing it all: You get a chance to start over and be someone new. Only how can I move on when the two shooters who attacked our school were never caught? And why do I feel like I’m still in the crosshairs?

Landon
Will you kiss me?
When I came across Brian Marshall,the hottest guy in school, dying on the cafeteria floor, I did what anyone would do. I tried to save him. His request surprised me, but I figured he needed comfort, so I kissed him on the forehead. When he survived and came back to school, he was broken in body and mind. He still needed me, and soon we were unlikely besties. But what I saw at school that day woke me up. I want to demand action on gun control, lead protests, raise my fist. I’ll tear the world down if I have to. And if I can get the man of my dreams and save the world at the same time? I’ll take it. Only I didn’t understand that the horror at Jefferson Waller High wasn’t over.

My heart is not a lion’s. I fear everything. Especially the truth.Maybe a day will come when I can tell you: this frightened heart is yours… 

🌿🌿🌿

Fear is the little death. The mind killer…

I must admit that I’m completely sold to the cover and the blurb instantly, and it curious me even more when the author said that the story was inspired by the Parkland school shootings and the students movements that following the tragedy.

The premise of the story actually good and promising enough. The story completely fictional but the author trying to make it as real as possible and THAT what squeeze my heart at some part. The horror the author trying to portrayed when the shootings happening was believable enough. The trauma that shadowing both MCs written in good way too. Brian and Landon journey to overcome the trauma and the connection that growing between the two were beautifully portrayed in very slow pace. Brian’s conflicts with his father more less could added the tensions in the story. The mystery of who the shooters identity is another part that made the story become more interesting. But unfortunately, I felt the story not quite ‘gripping’ enough for me to have deep connection with the whole story and both main characters because I still can feel that there’s something missing here.

The tensions that the author trying to build at nearly end of the book still didn’t fulfill my expectations. Somehow, (surprisingly) I already knew who the shooters are even before it finally revealed.

I must admit that I have HUGE expectations about this book, but in the end I felt a bit disappointed because it turned out not like what I expected.

I know it risky enough to made a story based on the actual tragedy that happen to some high schools in the US these past few years with all the gun control legislation issues that following the action. I know the author already trying so hard to bring these issues through the fictional characters and scenes she put in the story and I appreciate her braveness for writing this. I can’t say that this book wasn’t good because in fact I do like the book, but I found that the book not gripping enough to me. I’m sorry…

Having been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, a game designer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a fan fiction writer, and organic farmer, Eli has been a m/m romance author since 2013. She has over 30 books published.

Eli has loved romance since her teens and she particular admires writers who can combine literary merit, genuine humor, melting hotness, and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, bulldogs, cows, a cat, and lots of groundhogs.

In romance, Eli is best known for her Christmas stories because she’s a total Christmas sap. These include “Blame it on the Mistletoe”, “Unwrapping Hank” and “Merry Christmas, Mr. Miggles”. Her “Howl at the Moon” series of paranormal romances featuring the town of Mad Creek and its dog shifters has been popular with readers. And her series of Amish-themed romances, Men of Lancaster County, has won genre awards.

In 2018 Eli hopes to do more of the same, assuming they reschedule the apocalypse.

Her website is www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.comcom

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REVIEW : Betrothed (The Alpha Princes #1) by Claire Cullen

Title : Betrothed by Claire Cullen
Series : The Alpha Princes #1 
Genre(s) : Gay romance, M/M/M, Omegaverse, Non-shifter,  Mpreg, Paranormal-fantasy, ménage
Release Date : September 6th 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Life’s no fairy tale, especially for an omega. 

When William’s father names him heir to the throne, it kicks off an event the alpha has both longed for and dreaded; the courtship contest. In a matter of weeks, he has to choose the two people he’ll spend the rest of his life with. He has Elliott; his best friend and secret love. But his family cares more about making ‘the right kind’ of match and less about little things like love and happiness. Will doesn’t want to end up in an unhappy marriage like his father, and he doesn’t share his family’s loathing of omegas.

Elliott loves Will with all his heart, and the long wait for them to be together is almost over. But first, he has to help William with the difficult task of choosing a third person to share their life with. When he meets Cinder, he knows there’s something special about the shy omega. Choosing an omega won’t be easy given the kingdom’s past, but he’s determined they’ll make it work. Until he realizes there’s more working against them than simple jealousy and family politics.

Like every omega in their island kingdom, Cinder dreams of being invited to the palace and the prince falling in love with him. Too bad that only happens in fairy tales. When his stepfather sabotages any chance he has of being selected, Cinder thinks it’s time to let go of his dreams. But when a twist of fate sees him wind up in the palace anyway, he has the chance he’s always wanted. He finds himself dealing with jealous betas, his bully of a stepbrother, and a royal family who want to pretend omegas don’t exist. Even that won’t deter him when he finally sets his eyes on Prince William and his close friend, Elliott. But someone in the palace is determined to put a stop to things and when Cinder finds himself imprisoned, their fairy tale romance hangs in the balance.

Betrothed is a ~ 97,000-word novel featuring a polyamorous romance, a modern-day fairy tale, intrigue, angst, mpreg, knotting, and of course, happy endings. There are scenes not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.

“Yes, you. Always, you. From that moment I first saw you in the hall, and our eyes met, I knew you were special. You’re like us, you see. You care about others, about protecting them, helping them. You fit, Cinder, right here, with us...”

I’m so intrigued by the blurb when I read it for the first time. This is  another gay version of classic Cinderella retelling. But not like other Cinderella story I’ve read, this one had given the new touch to the famous fairytale by make it into a omegaverse menage story. And I’m SOLD instantly!

The author brought this classic fairytale into a different level. There’s no mean stepmother here, instead there’s an evil stepfather and his hateful Beta son who put the omega stepson into misery. There’s also no fairy godmother or godfather here who will spread their magic to help the poor boy each time he’d been bullied. Cinder must take good care of himself from his stepfather wrath or from his stepbrother hateful act. There’s also no the famous glass shoes (or boots?) or magic pumpkin car which bring him to the prince ballrooms dance.
Cinder must depends on his own luck and destiny before fate finally brought him face to face with his Prince charming…

When the King finally choose him as the future king, William must face the next step in his life as the king successor, choosing his spouse through the courtship contest.

The fact is….William already has someone in his heart all these years and they have to keep it secretly. Elliott has become William best friend and lover since their young age back in the school and when they served together as a medic in the army. Elliott and Will are inseparable since then.
William didn’t want his marriage to end like his parents, where his beta father and mother cannot lived in harmony since the beginning. William didn’t want being trapped in the same situation with what his parents have, that’s why finding a right person to added into the relationship he had with Elliott wasn’t the easy things to do. William need to find someone who can related to both him and his lover and understand with what they have. Because Elliott happiness is one he care the most.
When fate then bring the beautiful omega with rare blue eyes into his face, William start to hope that maybe there’s a way to make his dream come true…

For years become William best friend and lover, Elliott know for sure that one day he must accept that there will be another person in their relationship when William crowned as the future king. And he already prepare himself to share William heart with another guy. Deep in his heart he knew that William heart will always be his no matter what will happen in the future. One thing that become Elliott concern is William happiness. He know for sure that William will find the right person to add into their relationship and Elliott willing to help William find that person with all his heart.
When Elliott assigned as one of the courtship contestants, he meet this beautiful omega with the most stunning blue eyes he ever seen. There’s something about this Omega that drawn his attention. When William share same interest with him about this beautiful young omega, Elliott decided that he will do anything to make things right for William, him and the young omega…

Cinder used to have a very happy life, but everything changed after his father died and his mother remarried again with another alpha, his life soon started to trembling down. When his mother passed away, Cinder has to faced all the worst thing his stepfather and stepbrother lashed on him. His only hope is waiting patiently for his 21st birthday so he could be free, leave the house and hopefully find a kindhearted alpha who will love him wholeheartedly.

When the kingdom announced the new selection to be the prince future spouse, hope sparked in Cinder heart, but soon everything turned bad because his stepfather had cut his chance to be selected. But fate seem to find it's own way to bring Cinder destiny to meet his prince charming. And from the dirty hayloft horse stable in his stepfather house, Cinder walk his path to the King palace…

His journey wasn’t easy once he arrived at the palace and become one of the candidates, Cinder must faced a lot of political intrigue inside the palace that almost cost his life and conspiracies caused by people who didn’t want The Prince take an omega as one of his spouse due to The Omega Laws and for what had happen in the past before he finally have his own HEA.

Cinder grow up with very low self confident and have serious trust issues. So, when suddenly The Prince and his lover set their eyes on him and asked him to trust them, he didn’t trust it easily. What he didn’t realize is that there’s an Alpha Prince and his Beta lover who will do anything to keep him safe and engulfed him with their love…

Overall, the story is interesting enough to follow. The conflicts are very intriguing and the mysteries and suspense are written in very good and quite tense. The romance also thick right from the beginning, the interaction and emotional connections between the three and their journey fighting for their love and happiness are portraying  in very romantic way.

There are few things that still not clear until the end of the book, like who’s the real puppets master behind all the conflicts is, but maybe it will be reveal in the next book, right?

I really want to know more about the two other princes in this story. Alex and Jimmy’s story really intrigued me, but Jimmy’s story definitely curious me even more.

Bethroted is a heartwarming retelling of the classic Cinderella story with omegaverse-ménage touch that you shouldn’t miss!

ARC REVIEW : James – Uncontrollable (Man Up #5) by Felice Stevens

Title: James - Uncontrollable
Author: Felice Stevens
Part of Series : Man Up Series book 5
Genre: M/M Romance
Release Date: October 2, 2018
My Rating : 5/5 Stars
Buy links: Amazon 

It's time to travel with James and Malcolm through their twenty year history as they battle each other and struggle to hold on to a lifetime of secrets.

James 
Never good enough.
Not the real son.
I will prove him wrong—prove everyone wrong.
I am someone.
I will succeed.
I don’t need my brother to help me.
I don't need anyone.
My enemy holds my secret.
He teases me.
Taunts me.
Follows me with his eyes.
Our hot, angry kisses keep me up at night.
I don’t want him.
I hate him.
But I can’t stop thinking about him.
That there's more to him
I want to discover him.
The truth is unexpected.
My enemy might not only be my friend but the love I never thought to have.

Malcolm
Live, love, laugh.
Life is too short to worry when you don’t know how long you’ve got.
I want every day to be my best.
Like it’s my last.
My friends see what I let them.
Not the real me.
Only one man has ever crawled beneath my skin.
He drives me crazy.
Makes me wild.
Makes me care.
A night of bad decisions changes the course of my life.
Everything I've known no longer makes sense.
My enemy now stands by my side.
I’m no longer running.
I want to stay.
I want a future.
Hate has changed to something new and wonderful.
Something terrifying.
Uncontrollable.
Love.

“You. That it was you. Always you...” 

So, what happen when your greatest enemy becomes your greatest love?

I have wanted this story for so long and always curious about James’s story since the very beginning. As we KNOW, James and Malcolm couldn’t be at the same room together more than five minutes without glaring at each others.

Seeing how James ‘hate’ Malcolm in furious way had stirs curiosity in me, and I want to know the story behind all those strong hate with trace of desires between these two. And when I finally know the secrets both James and Mal's hides all these years, my heart broke for them equally…

For once I wanted someone to care about me, for me…

For years James craved to be loved, to be notice. Through his anger to his father, he build his own success through all the pain, hurt and disappointment of being unloved by people he hope would love him back unconditionally. Keep people at arm’s length and always hiding behind his grim and cool demeanor are the wall of lies he build to protect himself from being hurt…

James lashed his anger not only to his father but also to his brother, Rhoades and his bestfriend, Malcolm. But in the end it’s Mal who can ‘get’ through James tight wall he build to protect himself from being hurt. Because after all these years, Mal is the only person who actually ‘sees’ the real James since the very beginning...

“You may not think I know you, but I do. From the first, when you busted into our lives, I’ve been watching you. There was always something about you. No matter how hard you pushed me away, I’d always come back…To you.”

Behind Mal's charming and naughty personality lies a secret he hide from people around him, include Rhoades. Mal only want to live his life into the fullest and life freely without being worry about what will happen next. But in the end it’s James who made him realized that FINALLY there’s something that make him want to ‘stay’…

It’s funny how fate sometimes showing you the way to your other half through someone you hate for years. And James never thought that his worst enemy might not only be his true friend but the love he never thought to have…

James and Malcolm story had become the most anticipate book from this series, and I’ve prepared myself for their story since Mal's first appearance and teased James in annoying way, and devour it eagerly when it finally come in my hands.

I love Mal for his patience when he must deal with James’s anger and hurt. I love how Mal patiently stay by James's side when he keep pushing him away, but I must admit that I love James MORE and my heart broken for him for what had happened in his live and how he struggling with his own demon and survive before finally found his true self and happiness. And like the perfect pieces of puzzle, they completed each other in amazing way.

There’s no one can write such a story that could play your emotions during the reading like Felice. The love-hate between James and Mal and the push-pull games between the two, the anger, hurts, regrets and bitterness are written in absolutely emotional way by the author. It’s heartbreaking, warm, hot, beautiful with light touch of some silly banters and funny-Awww moment that will give you constant blushed and made the butterflies in your tummy gone wild….

You know you’ve read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. ~ Paul Sweeney.

And that what I felt when I finished this book...and I really didn’t want to say goodbye…

James's story definitely one of the best read I have this year and he and Mal will have special place in my heart ❤

All the stars in the sky to James and Malcolm's story, because FIVE will not enough...

Highly recommended!

Felice Stevens has always been a romantic at heart. She believes that while life is tough, there is always a happy ending around the corner, Her characters have to work for it, however. Like life in NYC, nothing comes easy and that includes love.

Felice has written over twenty books in the gay romance genre. Her books been translated into German, French and Italian. Her novel. One Call Away, part of her Soulmates series, was mentioned in Buzzfeed as one of the best “Out for You” gay romances of 2017.

Felice lives in New York City with her husband and two children. Her day begins with a lot of caffeine and ends with a glass or two of red wine. She recently retired from the practice law and now daydreams of a time when she 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.

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