ARC Review : Addicted by Mark Summers

Title : Addicted
Author : Mark Summers
Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, M/M Romance
Published Date : December 16th 2016
Rating : 3 Stars

“I’m not sure I’ve ever loved anyone, but if love means feeling like the Earth is going to eat you whole at the thought of never seeing them again, if love means feeling unable to be yourself without the one you love, then maybe that’s what I’m starting to feel for you.”

“I don’t want to mend you. I just want to be there for you while you do it yourself.”

Noah is 23 years old and a big brother. That’s probably how he would describe himself, since no job is as important as being a big brother to Jimmy, all while struggling with the depression and anxiety he’s learned to control the best he can. He’s lived in the same small town his entire life, kept away both from danger and pleasure, and everything else the world has to offer.

Daniel is a 30 year-old third-grade teacher with a secret. Apparently perfect, damage and addiction hide behind his fabricated front. He’s troubled, he’s mean, he’s controlling and dominant. And most importantly, he’s straight. He doesn’t love anything besides his job, and his human interactions consist of using people to satisfy his needs.

When life brings Noah and Daniel together, a peculiar arrangement is formed, pushing both men to new limits. Will Noah learn to step out of his comfort zone and take control of his life? Will Daniel defeat his demons?

The characters in this book are flawed and troubled, but they do their best as they try to figure out their lives, learning about addiction, lust, and love, and falling for each other in the process.

Addicted is a steamy, standalone gay-for-you romance novel with a HEA. It contains scenes that are only suitable for adult readers.

I knew for a fact that I wasn’t gay. I wasn’t completely attracted to Noah either, but there were some things about him – his personality, the air around him – that drove me nuts.

✳✳✳

Being gay and living in small town when all the people know each other life under their nose was not easy. And having a crush on his little brother's teacher wasn't a good thing for Noah. Add to the fact that the teacher is straight.

In his early twenty, Noah has enough complicated life to live.

When the author offer me to review his book, I accepted it because GFY is my thing.
I'm so excited to devour this book but also a bit curious at the same time because the author was new to me and reading a book from new author definitely a challenge for me.

So? Curious, nervous and excited, that's all what I feel.

The first few part of the story i found really interesting. The pace kinda slow, but I like how it goes when Noah start to crushing over Mr. Harris and try to hide his attraction and feels to him, the giddy feeling, the shyness, the eagerness to have Mr. Harris attention enough to make those butterflies dancing in my tummy.
When Mr. Harris start to 'notice' Noah and have strange attraction to the young guy, the butterflies in my tummy went crazy.

But then there's something about this Mr. Harris that make me feels not quite 'right'. Even with all the 'reason' revealed nearly the end of the book still cannot convinced me enough to accept what had happened.

Mr. Harris dominance and his  disrespectful act to Noah start to annoying me to the level 'I can barely tolerate anymore'.
And Noah naively accepted all that irritated me even more.

I've read about a dominance character in a story before and I don't have problem with all that dominance thing, but I think there's something not quite 'right' about Mr. Harris dominance and demanding act to Noah. Something is missing here and I can't explained the 'what or why'.

I expect more on the story, but seems it's not fulfill my expectations.
I hope for something more or at least can bring me the feels, but I can't get it.

One thing that keep the rating from further falls is the bond between Noah and his little brother, jimmy. It worth in very heartwarming way...


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

Review : Watching and Wanting (Housemates #4) by Jay Northcote

Title: Watching and Wanting
Author: Jay Northcote
Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)
Length: 52,000 words approx
Genre: Contemporary m/m romance/erotica, bisexual, new adult
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Release Date: Friday 20th January 2017
Series info: This book is #4 in the Housemates series but can be read as a standalone

Rate : 4.5 Stars

Watching Jude’s cam show stirs desires Shawn’s always denied...

Shawn is adrift. Recently graduated, he’s stuck in a dead-end job that barely pays the bills. His girlfriend dumped him, his friends have moved on, and he’s still in Plymouth—going nowhere.

Jude is a student living in the same shared house. Out and proud, he’s everything Shawn’s been running from since he hit puberty. When Shawn discovers Jude works as a cam boy, he can’t resist the urge to watch one of his shows. It makes Shawn want things that scare him, yet his fascination forces him to confront his attraction.

Keen to explore his bicurious side, Shawn suggests they do a show together. Jude agrees, and things get complicated—and kinky—fast. But Jude isn’t looking to get involved with someone so deep in the closet. If Shawn’s going to get what he wants, he needs to find the courage to stop hiding from himself and be honest about who he is.

     A couple of days later, Shawn was still doing his best to be a better housemate and friend. So after he’d finished his dinner—late because he hadn’t left work till six and had then been running again—he washed up lots of pots in the kitchen that other people had used and tidied up some things left lying around in the living room.
     “Is this either of yours?” He held up a hoodie that was slung over the back of a chair.
     Jez and Mac, who were on the sofa watching TV, both glanced his way.
     “Nope,” Mac said.
     “I think it’s Jude’s.”
     Being helpful, Shawn decided to take it up for him.
     He passed his own bedroom on the middle floor and went up the second flight of stairs to where Dev’s and Jude’s rooms were. Jude’s door was shut, so Shawn tapped lightly on it. There was no reply, so assuming Jude was out, he turned the handle and pushed. The door opened quietly.
     It took a moment for his brain to register the information from his eyes.
     Jude wasn’t out.
     Jude was definitely in.
     He was sitting in a chair with his back to the door, shirtless, dick out and jerking off in front of… fuck, was that Skype? Maybe he had a long-distance boyfriend Shawn didn’t know about.
     But the screen didn’t look like Skype; there was a distinctive logo that even from the door, Shawn could see read “Boyz on Cam.” And—Oh fuck. The guy on the screen looked remarkably like Jude himself. Surely he couldn’t be…?
     “Shit, sorry, sorry!” Shawn blurted out.
     “What the fuck?” Jude wheeled around, simultaneously managing to whip his sweatpants up and slam the laptop shut. “Oh my God, haven’t you heard of knocking?”
     “I did knock,” Shawn said helplessly, trying not to stare at the bulge in Jude’s trousers. Eyes up. Jesus Christ, don’t make this any worse than it already is. “You didn’t answer.”
     “I didn’t fucking hear you. But you just barged in anyway.” Jude covered the tent in his sweatpants with his hand.
     His face was flushed. It was hard for Shawn to tell how much was embarrassment and how much was anger. “You should have locked it,” he said unhelpfully, then mentally kicked himself for his lack of filter. Bit late to point that out now.
     “I thought I had!”
     “I’m sorry,” Shawn said again. “I didn’t… I mean….” Sensible words eluded him. There was no script for this. “I found this. It’s yours. I’ll go now.” He threw the hoodie at Jude, turned, and fled, shutting the door firmly behind him.

     Back in his own room, Shawn paced back and forth.
     “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He scrubbed his hands through his hair, stopped pacing, and glared at his laptop where it lay on his desk, a threatening presence.
     No. I can’t.
     He threw himself down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
     But what if he was wrong? Maybe he’d misinterpreted what he saw? Maybe Jude was just watching another guy on camera who happened to look a bit like him? Shawn tried to tell himself that it was none of his business anyway, but he needed to know.
     He got up and locked his door—learning from Jude’s mistake there—then sat at his desk and opened his laptop carefully, as if it was an unexploded bomb he had to defuse. He pulled up his web browser and typed in the words burned onto his brain: Boyz on Cam.
     After an 18+ warning, the site loaded quickly and Shawn half covered his face with a hand, as though peeking through his fingers could make this better. He scrolled past a few photos of half-naked guys with nice abs and inviting smiles, but none of them was Jude.
     Then he noticed a link at the top reading “Live Shows.”
     Mouth dry and heart racing, he clicked on it. He didn’t think it was possible for his heart to beat any faster, but when he saw Jude’s face grinning suggestively at him from a thumbnail image, he seriously wondered if it was possible to have a heart attack at the age of twenty-one.
     He knew he shouldn’t look, didn’t even know why he wanted to go any further. He’d confirmed his suspicions, and that was all he needed to know. Yet, with a shaking hand, he clicked on the link anyway.

“You know what they say. It’s always the ones deepest in denial who fight the hardest. Maybe he’s secretly gay, and that’s why he hates having it shoved in his face all the time?”

❇❇❇

This book come with D.R.I.P* WARNING !!

*Don't Read In Public

Shawn with his homophobic twat had drawn my attention since I first saw him in the previous book, but when I read Devrim story my curiosity grew more deeper. Maybe there's something behind his rude attitude that need to be understand and that make me curious even more.

I remember asked the author about 'is there any possibility that Shawn will have his own story?'

The author said that he didn't have any plan to write Shawn story because he 'hate' him!

Then I said, "Will you just listen what he said? Because I think there's something about Shawn. Maybe he's in deep denial or something?"

Then I ended it with "Please...."

That's was months ago and I almost forgot about the conversations with the author until one day he tell us that he'd been writing about Shawn story because he start to 'talk' to him!

And my first reaction?

ABSOLUTELY HYSTERIC!

Finally!!

Jay revealed Shawn story in a very interesting way.

Shawn deep denial, dilemmas and all the struggle he'd been through and the way Jude 'teach' him in and off camera and reveal the Bi side in Shawn all put in very good portion.

Shawn need to find what he truly want and feels the 'breakdown' before he finally 'see' what he'd been denying all these time and to be brave enough to take the next step.

On the other hand, Jude know what Shawn needs, and he willing to show him what he'd been 'missed'. Jude love to help Shawn exploring his bi curious and also kinky side in him and feeds his curiosity....

I need to fanning myself so many times when read this book because it SO DAMN HOT!!!
Watching and Wanting probably become the hottest books in Housemates series so far...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Watching and Wanting on Jay Northcote Website

Amazon

Amazon UK

Universal Amazon Link

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)

And if you a bit curious about how Jay got his 'inspiration' when he wrote about Jude's camshow from, also more info about Housemates series, especially Watching and Wanting, you can follow this Link to Jay Northcote Housemates Q & A with Gaybook Review.

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
Twitter
Facebook Profile
Facebook Author Page
Newsletter
Jay's Books

Review : Painted On My Heart by Kindle Alexander

Title : Painted On My Heart
Author : Kindle Alexander
Genre : Contemporary Gay Romance, M/M Romance
Published : January 1st 2017
Rate : 2 Stars (Note : It's not my habit to put my 2 stars review into my blog, but this one is an exception. Why? Because I have to)

“You make me want things I shouldn’t.”

“Then we’re on even ground.”

❇❇❇

This book 'exhausted' and 'consumed' me enough...but not in a good way...
Glad that I'm not the only one who feels like this. Fyuh!

I like the first few part at the beginning, one of the main MC, Kellus, come with very heavy baggages that (at first) broke my heart into pieces.
He has my full sympathy for what had happened in his life.

John's (Kellus ex) meth addict and betrayal had leave deep wounds to Kellus life. Diagnosed with HIV postive had ruined Kellus life into pieces. Knowing that he must buried deep his happiness and must lived with fact that he will be alone for the rest of his life is like a sentence for the sin he never did. Only his art that keep him busy and motivated him to live a better life.

Then there's come Arik. A handsome, rich multi-billionaire and has everything in his life, except love and commitment.
Arik had fall in love with Kellus's art way before he meet Kellus in person. When Arik finally meet Kellus, he feels the sudden interest to the artist and become curious not only with Kellus's art but also his personal life. All he wanted was for Kellus to stop keeping him at a distance, but Kellus keep avoiding his attention and always put everything between them all to stay professional.
Well? For Arik who always get what he wants, it's means a challenge.
But will he win the artist heart?

At first, what Arik's did feels a bit annoying for me, well...since insta-love-billionaire-egomaniac things isn't my thing.
But even I'm not  into to insta-love things, I must admit that there's a part that what Arik's did melted my hopeless romantic heart.

What i didn't like from this story is Kellus.

Like I said before, he has my full sympathy until I become tired with his guilty feelings to John and make it as an excuse to hurt Arik so many times. I tried to understand Kellus mind and acts, but at the end I'm getting tired because he can never pulled himself from all the probelms caused by John and let John keep 'controling' his life. I hate John for what he did to Kellus, but i hate Kellus more for being so naive and stupid.

Thanks god he has man like Arik on his side, who accept him with all his baggages and show him that there is a second chance for love and be happy.

Kellus had been broken and needed to be shown he was special—that he deserved to be happy and have someone love him. And Arik want to be that person. The man that bring life, laugh and happiness to Kellus....

One good point that I love from this story is Arik patience and love for Kellus.

Last but not least, i also love the 'education' part on this book about that there is a chance for people with HIV positive to live a normal life, stay healthy and be happy.

Hmmm...now I'm curious about Trent and Gage story....

Review : Light Up The Dark by Suki Fleet

Title : Light Up The Dark 
Author : Suki Fleet
Genre : Gay romance, contemporary romance, dark with angst & mystery
Release Date : December 25th 2017
Rate : 4 Stars

For two years Nicky has wandered the dark empty corridors of the overgrown Thorn Hall, unseen and untouched, feeling like a ghost. His only company, the cold man who promised to keep him safe from harm, Lance.
But when Lance dies, Nicky’s assurance of safety disintegrates and his world suddenly becomes a lot more real and a lot more dangerous. Scared to leave the house, Nicky longs for daylight. He employs a gardener to clear the over-grown bushes and vines that have nearly swallowed Thorn Hall whole.
The last thing Nicky expects a little light to do is show him something to fight for.

Eighteen months in a young offenders’ institute has taught Cai two things: he occupies the playful puppy end of the How Dangerous Are You? spectrum, and he has an unfortunate knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Desperate for a job, he takes the first offer he gets. Even though Thorn Hall creeps the hell out of him and he barely knows one end of a pair of garden shears from the other.
Things start to fall apart when Cai is drawn into Nicky’s strange world of sticky notes and secrets. Cai finds he is now a target, blamed for a crime he didn’t commit. Desperate not to go back to prison, he digs deep and risks all the good things in life to help Nicky run.
But now Nicky has someone he wants to protect, he knows he can’t run any more.

“I never said I wanted nice. I want courageous. I want kind. I want you. Be a bastard when you’re angry, because as long as you’re my bastard, I don’t care.”

❇❇❇

Well?
Intrigued by the blurb, drawn by the cover and when i saw Suki Fleet's name was write on it. I'm totally SOLD!

I jump into this story without knowing what I would faced.
The next thing I know, I was drown deeply into the sea of curiosity to the very last page.

Light Up The Dark is very intriguing dark-gothic-story with angst, mystery and lots of surprising twists that will consume you and 'tickle' your curiosity.

Gosh! I never expected that the story would consumed me like this. I found it a bit confusing at the beginning, well i mean until almost 35% reading I'm still blurry about what happened. It's like you dive into a deep black water knowing nothing what would happen next, what you only know is you must dive more to satisfied your curiosity, because the story was so intense!

The growing feeling between Cai & Nicky was describe in unique way. The sticky notes, the clothes, foods exchange and all the silent-awkward moments frustrated me enough but also feels so 'beautiful'.

Suki Fleet's lyrical words trade marks never failed me. I didn't know that the dark-angsty-story could be so...'melodic'?
Only Suki Fleet can do that!

I'm devouring this book in one shot. Totally cannot put it down!

But even i said that i love this book, I'll ended my review with a question that keep playing in my mind when i finished this book and YES! - it's kinda bother me....

Where's the bodies?

Last but not least, just hope that someday there will be a movie made based on this story ...

RECOMMENDED!

ARC Review : Perfect Catch by N. R. Walker

Title : Perfect Catch
Author : N. R. Walker
Genre : Gay Romance, Friends-to-lover
Part of series : Stand alone, Short story
Expected Publication : January 10th 2017
Rate : 4 Stars

Calvin Lynch and Troy Hoffman have been best mates since they were fourteen years old. They’re both hard-working tradesmen, both love weekends away fishing, both gay, but have never been single at the same time. Until now.

What is supposed to be a weekend away fishing with a group of mates, changes at the last minute when friends bail out in an attempt to give Cal and Troy some alone time.

With more than just hooks on the line, can these two see what’s been right in front of them the whole time?

The Perfect Catch is a short story about falling for your best friend hook, line, and sinker.

I knew in my heart, there would never be anyone else for me. This is what I longed for. He was what was missing from my life.

Perfect Catch is a cute-friends-to-lover story from N.R. Walker about friendships, love and 'realization' with enough portion of high sexual tension between two best friend that will warm your heart. I love the slow burn, the pace, the funny banter between two MC's and Gosh! The tension!

Definitely a recommended read!

Prior release as part of It Was Always You Anthology.

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

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… 

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon

nrwalker.net

Review : SWITCHED by N.R. Walker

Title : SWITCHED
Author : N.R. Walker
Genre : Gay Romance with light angst
Release Day : December 25th, 2016
Rate : 5+++ Stars

Everything in my life had fallen to shit, and he was my rock.

He was the one and only true rock in my whole life, my one and only constant, and I was ruining everything...

❇❇❇

For 26 years, Israel Ingham lived as 'the disappointments to his family'. Everything he'd done in his life never enough or satisfied his father.
For years Israel craves for love from his parents, but he never have.

And as if all of that happen in his life not enough, Israel must faced the fact that he's switched at birth.

In a blink of an eye, Israel's world turned upside down. Anger, disappointed and sadness make him numb and hard to breathe.

But there's always be Sam...

Sam was his rock, his lifeline. The one who always be at his side...
Only, Sam that can make him survive his trembling world...

But when Israel start to feels more to his best friend he start to panic. Afraid that what he felt will affect their friendship, Israel need to do something to saved it and cutting Sam out of his life was the only way to save their friendship.

But can he survive another loss?

❇❇❇

N.R. Walker no doubt will always be my fave author. I adore her story and her writing style.
I have giddy feeling each time she release a new book, but at the same time I'm kinda 'afraid' too.
Because i always have difficult time writing reviews if the book consumed me so bad. And that's what happen every time I read N.R. Walker's books.
She's never failed amazed me with her story. And each time she left me speechless and having hard times writing my reviews.
SWITCHED is no exception.

I finished the book few days ago, and re-read it two times again after that. And it's still not enough for me. I have hard times putting words into my review.
Because I still crave Iz and Sam story even more!

The story was amazingly beautiful. I was just on first few chapters when the story succeed squeezing and broke my heart.
And "Damn you Nic!" was my only reaction that time.

When I first know that the story was about switched at birth, i know that this gonna be something. I think I already fall in love with this book since i saw the cover for the first time, and love it more when/and after I reading it.

What i love about this book is seeing how Iz and Sam growing feeling from being best friends to lover. I love the pace and the slow burn. Friends-to-lovers is my thing, and I've read so many books with this theme, but none like I felt when I'm reading Switched. I can feel the bond between Iz and Sam and it was so intense. How they click to one and another, respect each other, how Sam always be at Iz side during all the bad times and be his solid rock each time Iz need it. Damn! It really beautiful and melted my heart.

N.R. Walker know very well how to play with readers heart with her writing. Even all the simple things can bring butterfly in your tummy or squeeze your heart. Like the pang feeling i felt each time Israel say "Thank you" for every simple things Sam did, damn it's hurts.

Another things i love is 'the banter'!
I lost count on how many times I giggles and smiling like an idiot when I read their silly banter. With all 'Aye aye captain' and that Spongebob things, Gosh! Now i cannot get the song outta my head! Thanks, Nic!

Switched is another a MUST read story from N.R. Walker. It's heart warming, beautifully written, a bit angsty but also funny at the same time. And I LOVE IT!

Definitely a RECOMMENDED read for all.

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… 

Facebook

Twitter

Amazon

nrwalker.net

Review : Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles by Eli Easton

Title : Merry Christmas Mr. Miggles
Author : Eli Easton
Genre : gay romance, holidays
Release Date : November 23rd 2016
Rate : 3 stars

"When you love someone, you want to do things for them. Little things and big things."

There's nothing in this world that Toby likes other than books, and working as a junior librarian at the local library in Sandy Lake and surrounded by books is his only happiness.
Well, that's not the only reason why Toby love working at the library. There's Mr. Miggles, the senior librarian who worked with him.

For two years, Toby had secretly admiring his boss since he started working at the library.

But there's something about him that drawn Toby curiosity even more.

The sadness look on Mr. Miggles face through most of the year, as if he carried around an invisible cloak made of some suffocating weight that burdened his life.

And every years, there's a question that always playing in Toby's mind, "What had caused that sadness in Mr. Miggles face?"

Only on November to December when the Christmas is coming Toby can see a bit of cheerfulness or sometimes a smile on Mr. Miggles face when he's preparing the Christmas decorations session and also the Christmas surprise box for library members.

Toby love this cheerful side of Mr. Miggles, and really wish he could always see Mr. Miggles smile everyday the whole years.

When Mr. Miggles being accused of something that he never did and it threatens his career as librarian, Toby did not accept it, because he know so well the kindness things Mr. Miggles did to others for years.
And for that, Toby will do anything to save Mr. Miggles and the library that means everything to him.

Will Mr. Miggles could celebrate Christmas this year?

❇❇❇

You know what I like the most when devouring this book?

The slow burn!

I usually hate slow burn, but not this time.
I really enjoying the growing feeling between the MC's from the start and I can feel the emotions growing in their relationship. So pure and innocence.
I'm so glad they don't jump into sex and wait for the right moment to come. And when it happen, gosh! It's worth to wait and beautiful...

But even I said earlier that I like this story, there's also some part that couldn't satisfied me, there's no 'solutions' for the problems that caused the major scenes in this story. That's WHY I decide to deduct my ratings from solid four to three.

But if you love all christmassy stories, this book definitely will light up your holidays.