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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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!

ARC REVIEW : Safe Place (Rainbow Place #2) by Jay Northcote

Title: Safe Place (Rainbow Place #2)
Author: Jay Northcote
Publisher: Jaybird Press (self published)
Genre: contemporary m/m romance
Cover Artist: Garrett Leigh
Release Date: Friday 31st August 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars
Buy Links : Amazon | Amazon UK 

Where do you go when your home is no longer a safe place?

     Alex is about to turn eighteen and is firmly in the closet. He’s been biding his time, waiting to escape to uni, and finally come out away from the oppressive influence of his homophobic father. When he flunks his exams, he’s stuck in the small town of Porthladock—and what’s worse is that he’s working for his dad. The only thing that makes it bearable is Cam.
     Cam’s comfortable with his bisexuality, but he doesn’t broadcast it. Young, free, and single, his social life revolves around playing rugby and hanging out with his mates. He’s attracted to Alex, but with the six-year age gap, Cam’s wary of getting involved. Plus, he thinks Alex needs a friend more than he needs a lover, and as their friendship grows, Cam decides he’s not willing to risk ruining it for casual sex.
     When Alex’s dad finds out about his sexuality, Alex is suddenly both jobless and homeless. He finds work at Rainbow Place, the local LGBT-friendly café and Cam lets Alex stay in his flat for a while. But Alex would rather be sleeping in Cam’s bed than on his sofa. With them both living under one roof, their feelings for each other grow stronger, and the sexual tension is hard to ignore. Will giving in to it ruin their friendship and complicate things for Alex even more?
     Although this book is part of a linked series, it has a satisfying happy ending, and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Coming from a homophobic father, Alex need to hide deep in the closet and afraid to showing who he really is. All he wants is to finish his study and start the university live far away from his father and be free.

When Seb’s café vandalized by homophobic people, Alex and his friends took part at cleaning the café along with others volunteers. And there where he met Cam, one of a rugby players that also help Seb cleaning the café.
From their short met Alex and Cam start to be friends, but Alex start to have crush on Cam after their spent time together. Alex almost sure that Cam share the same feeling with him. But after they shared their first kiss, suddenly Cam make it clear that he only want to stick as friends.
Hiding his disappointment behind his smile and didn’t want to lose the friendship, Alex accepted what Cam want and staying back as a friend.

When Alex's father accidentally found out that he’s gay and do harsh thing on him, Alex decided to leave. Cam then offer him to stay with him.

Staying with someone you have crush on wasn’t easy, Alex must hide what he feels, and Cam uncertainty about what he wants had slowly tortured him from inside. Tired with Cam uncertainty, Alex decided to move on and leave.

Will Cam finally come to his sense and stop playing ‘bestfriend’ with Alex?

☕☕☕

I’ve been waiting and really curious with Alex and Cam's story since Alex figure successfully drawn my curiosity when I read the first book. And I really want to know more about him.

So when the second book is out and it IS about Alex and Cam, It’s excited me more…

With Alex complex situations and homophobic father, I thought the story will a bit angsty. But rather than dark or a bit angst, I found that the story is surprisingly sweet. And I must admit that I kinda ‘hate’ Cam for what he did to Alex and hiding behind the best friend charade and his own worried according to what happen in his past. His uncertainty had made me want to slapped him on his face to make him realized. But Alex? Well, he totally won my heart.

Safe Place is a sweet light reading with low angst that will warm your heart, and I enjoying every part of it.

Well, is Dylan and that hot Silver Fox will be on the next to have their own stage? I'm curious....

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 : Lost With You by Rachel Kane

Title : Lost with You by Rachel Kane
Genre(s) : Contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : July 29th 2019
My Rating(s) : 3/5 Stars

“That plane crash saved my life..." 

Eli: I thought a weekend in a remote mountain cabin would help me recover from how badly coming out to my family had gone, but I didn’t expect my pilot and wilderness guide to be so hot I can barely stand it. Jake is everything I’m not--confident, skillful...and straight. But when engine trouble sends our plane crashing into the trees a million miles from nowhere, Jake becomes the only thing standing between me and certain death.

It’s hard enough to trust my survival to a complete stranger--but it’s even harder to resist the urge to watch him bathing in a mountain stream… and I’m starting to think Jake is not quite as straight as I thought. Jake makes me realize I'm worth standing up for, worth fighting for...but will he still feel that way once we’re no longer trapped on the side of a mountain?

Jake: I thought I was just dropping a tourist off, but once we are lost in the woods, I realize Eli is a man on a mission. We should be worried about bears and mountain lions and running out of food, but instead I'm too busy being drawn in by his intensity.

Eli is haunted, mysterious and hurt, and something about that combination makes me fall for him hard and fast. But when we finally make it back to the normal world, between his homophobic parents and my jealous ex, we feel more lost than we ever have. As much as I want Eli, who opened new feelings in me, feelings I've never had for a man before, I'm scared that the obstacles between us might be too great to overcome. Can we figure out how to navigate our family and friends...before our new relationship crashes and burns?

Lost With You is a 70,000-word out-for-you gay romance with high steam and a ton of heart. These boys are going to get their HEA, but it won't be easy.

Eli leaned against me. “When it feels like the world is against us, it makes me want to get even closer to you. That sounds healthy, doesn’t it?”

🛩🛩🛩

The blurb completely drawn my curiosity. I was hoping for a possibility of intense and enough adventure before the rescuing finally come or at least more ‘alone’ time between the two strangers to knowing each other and have some moments, but I need to swallowed all the hope because the after crashed moment only happen in just a moment before the rest of the story moved back into the civilization and their ‘after crashed adventures’ begin in town.

The story actually have the huge potential to develop into something way more deep IF the two MCs didn’t taking turn in annoying me at some level.

Those miscommunication and misunderstanding was very exaggerating, and Jake's ‘habit’ in keeping 'the secrets' was truly maddening. I know he’s still confused with the new fact that he’s actually bi and/or maybe gay, and Eli was his first experience with a guy. But for me what he did a bit annoying.

Eli actually has more potential side for me to love. He’s a writer, and have unique book about gay robots falling in love (sounds interesting huh?), but at some point he can be annoying too.

Eli and Jake must faced a lot of obstacles from the hateful people around them who trying to stand in their way, the family drama with ALL the secrets, Jake struggle (read : uncertainty) to finally come out and the whole process was not easy.

They're both wounded. Both carrying the weight of other peoples’ judgment. They also must deal with their own insecurity before finally reach their own HEA. And everything worth to fight for...

Lost with You story come with good premise, very intriguing start, a bit downhill at the middle, the ending was pretty good with a bit surprise twists and some secrets finally revealed. Even when there’s some part that annoyed me to some level and nearly made me give up, I must admit that whole story is interesting enough to follow.