ARC RE-RELEASE REVIEW : Foxes by Suki Fleet

Title : Foxes
Author : Suki Fleet
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance, disability
Publication Date : November 22nd 2018 (re-release)
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Links : Amazon

When Dashiel’s body is found dumped on an East London wasteland, his best friend Danny sets out to find the killer. But Danny finds interaction difficult and must keep his world small in order to survive. By day he lives in an abandoned swimming pool and fixes electrical devices to trade for supplies, but by night, alone, he hunts sharks a reckless search for dangerous men who prey on the vulnerable.

A chance meeting with an American boy selling himself on the streets throws this lonely existence into disarray. Micky is troubled, fragile, and Danny feels a desperate need to protect him. Though from what, he doesn't know. As Danny discovers more about Micky, he realises that what Micky needs saving from is the one thing Danny has no idea how to fight.

To save Micky, Danny must risk expanding his world and face something that scares him more than any shark ever could: trusting he will be accepted for who he is. If a freezing winter on the streets, a sadistic doctor, and three thousand miles don't tear them apart first, that is.

I wish things were different. I wish it with everything in me—the thought sharp as a spear in my heart. I don’t normally let myself think like this, but right now I’d give anything, absolutely anything, to look ordinary. For him to look at me and see an ordinary boy looking back at him. I wouldn’t ask to be beautiful. 

🌿🌿🌿

Danny is a loner…live at one of bathroom on abandoned swimming pool.

When his best friend, Dashiel found dead, Danny start his mission to find who the killer is by following some of the sharks, the predators who rummaging around the street seeking for the victim.

On his searching of the murder, he meet this beautiful young boy, Micky, an American rent boy who sell himself on the street. There’s something in this skinny fragile figure that drawn something in him. Suddenly he has this urge to protect him with everything he could just to stop Micky life to end like Dashiel. Even if that means he must leave his comfort zone and took a huge leap in his life to keep Micky safe.

You took the lid off the sky for me… you gave me hope...

Following their interactions and their growing feeling happen in very slow pace was a bit maddening but beautiful at the same time. But if you’re familiar with Suki Fleet’s trade mark writing, you’ll find that everything in this book is mesmerizing and hypnotizing at the same time.

“….having smooth, unscarred skin does not make you beautiful. Shining like the brightest light in the dark does, though. And you light up everything. You light me up. I’m falling in love with you,”

When others look down on Danny due the scars on his face, Micky is one of them who look past it and see the real Danny to his heart. Danny start to open himself and slowly put more trust in Micky. On the other hand, Micky also finally found something he want to fight in life...someone who finally made him feels worthy....

“When I’m with you, it’s the only thing I wish was different. When I’m with you, I don’t want to disappear.”

The unique relationship they have is one things that made this book so intriguing. Their pure connection that start only as a friend then slowly going deeper and deeper is something that made this book interesting to follow. Both Danny and Micky characters are lovable and unique in their own way.

“If I really did have superpowers, all I’d want to do is make people happy. Not for the attention or anything,” I add. “I’d want to do it secretly, so I’d be Mr. Happynonymous. And if I could only make one person happy, it’d be you.”

Not all superheroes wear capes…

The real superheroes is people who simply could change and touch someone else life by simply being there with them when they’re in need. And Danny is one of those superheroes in this story…

On his journey to find who the killer is, Danny didn't realize that he had become a superhero by savings people life, and that include saving someone life who turned out to be the one who caused his sadness....

Foxes is an art, one of beautiful and heartwarming story I ever read. The slow burn combined with amazing writing and good main characters had leave deep impression in me and almost all the reader. And again, Suki Fleet had made this book sings in perfect harmony. So, please do make sure you didn’t miss it!

Highly recommended!

ARC REVIEW : First Light (Heartsville #2) by Christina Lee & Felice Stevens

Title : First Light
Author(s) : Christina Lee & Felice Stevens
Series : Heartsville book #2
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : November 26th 2018
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Buy Link : Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon UK | Amazon Universal Link 

Two years after the death of his wife, Aubrey Hendricks is still weighed down by grief. He can’t focus on anything beyond working at the family farm, First Light. At the urging of a friend, he takes a step toward resuming a normal life and reopens the bakery his wife once ran. He places a Help Wanted ad in the local paper, and to his surprise, an applicant shows up the next day.

When Oliver Hansen gets a second chance at life, he grasps it with both hands. Leaving his stressful life in New York, he plans to enjoy the simpler things. Driving to Heartsville in the Pocono Mountains to thank his heart donor’s widower is a top priority. But the brusque man with the melancholy eyes strikes a chord in Oliver. So when Aubrey mistakenly believes he’s there to apply for the bakery job…Oliver takes him up on the offer.

As Oliver busies himself with the grand reopening, he and Aubrey establish a tentative friendship, which soon shifts to blazing attraction. Oliver falls hard for him, yet he can’t help but wonder if Aubrey’s feelings are an attempt to maintain a connection to the wife he’s still mourning. And Aubrey is unsure if Oliver will tire of the slow pace in Heartsville and go running back to the city he loves. The two must successfully navigate the stormy waters of grief, doubt, and their very different lifestyles, or they risk losing both their hearts—again.

*Please note: This is in the same world as our MMM, LAST CALL, except FIRST LIGHT is MM and a complete standalone.

“It’s never been more right than it is now. With you. Now you’re here, and it’s like you’ve breathed life back into my body.” – Aubrey

 ☕☕☕

Sometimes the road of life takes an unexpected turn and you have no choice but to follow it to end up in a place you are supposed to be… - Unknown.

And that’s what actually happen to Oliver. He come to Heartsville with one purpose, to meet with a person who had given him a second chance but mistakenly took as the new baker by First Light owner, Aubrey.

There’s something in Aubrey's sad eyes that intrigued Oliver and suddenly a new mission grow in Oliver mind, he want to help the man and brought the sunshine back into Aubrey’s life…

First Light is not only a story about a farmer and a lawyers turned a baker, but also a beautiful heart warming journey of love between a heart transplant recipient and the donor's widower. Fate then brought the two stranger from different world together and falling in love…

The writing is beautiful with good plot and slow burn pace, the main characters are very lovable and leave very deep impression in me. I love seeing the change from grouchy and lonely Aubrey to playful Aubrey when he's with Oliver and I also love how Oliver show the man how to live again. Love the dynamic and chemistry between these two and I really enjoying every moments when they slowly growing their feeling and how they build the relationship with strong connection from pure friendship to lovers. Everything feels so natural, believable and perfect!

Their journey to the happiness was not easy, they still must face some obstacles from self doubt, their own insecurities that haunt both Oliver and Aubrey life and also the secret Oliver brought with him, but again I love how they solve their conflicts through communication and finally have courage to confess what they really want. Both Oliver and Aubrey deserve to have their own happiness after what they been through and grab the second chance given to them and cherish the life together. Who knows that fate has put them in the circle of live through grief and another love?

First Light is a beautiful, heart warming story that will warmed your winter this year.

Last but not least, I do really enjoy the glimpse of Quinn, Gray and Emery from Last Call , it made me miss the guys A LOT…

Highly recommended!

ARC REVIEW : Loving a Warrior by Melanie Hansen

Title : Loving a Warrior
Author : Melanie Hansen
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Publication Date : November 26th 2018
Rating : 3.5/5 Stars

BUD/S: six months of the most intense training there is. It’s survival of the toughest, and Matt Knytych is determined to come out the other side a navy SEAL.

Distraction is life or death. And just the sight of former marine Shane Hovland is enough to shake Matt’s concentration.

Shane came to BUD/S training ready to prove himself—again. Semper Fi is forever, but he needs a new start. Not this dangerous heat with a man he barely knows.

Everything they’ve ever wanted is riding on a thin, punishing line. And they’ll have to fight for more than just each other if they want to make it through intact.

After all, the only easy day was yesterday.

Matt turned to bury his face against Shane’s shoulder. “Why are you so perfect for me?” he said raggedly. “Why?” He clutched on to him, twisting his fists into Shane’s damp shirt. “Because you are. Perfect.”

This is the story about Soup and Clown, two strangers who become brothers in arms during the hell weeks on special training…

I thought that it would be some battles scenes in this book, but it seems I’m totally wrong!!

The story mostly only about the BUD/S training and how Matt and Shane spent their hell weeks together during the training before they become SEAL and a glimpse of the life outside the base camp. And I must admit it’s kinda disappointed me a bit and more less affected my mood because I was hoping to find some battle scenes and love story in the middle of secret missions and conflicts that will squeeze my heart while reading it.

The interactions between the MCs were good and so tense right from the beginning. Their growing feeling, the connections, the push and pull all written in slow and heartwarming way. How they support and encourage each others during the rough Hell-weeks on DUI/S training, the UST and strong attraction between the two, the denial, the conflicts and their dynamic and growing relationship all feels so natural and convincing enough. Good plot combine with the slow pace, good writing and loveable characters had made this story become enjoyable enough to follow.

Thanks to all the documentaries and some movies I’ve watched about how hard and brutal the SEAL Team training is, I can picturing all the DUI/S training weeks with no problems at all.

ARC REVIEW : Stuck With You by Jay Northcote

Title : Stuck With You
Author : Jay Northcote
Genre (s) : contemporary gay romance, holidays romance, Christmas
Publication Date : November 23rd 2018
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Buy Links : Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon Universal

Two clashing colleagues stuck together for Christmas—will opposites eventually attract?

Patrick has been single since he broke up with his cheating ex almost a year ago. With Christmas looming, he’s resigned to spending it alone with only memories of happier times for company. When a business trip with a co-worker leaves them stranded in the Lake District due to heavy snow, it seems Patrick will have company for Christmas after all. It’s a shame his companion is Kyle, who’s undeniably attractive, but annoying as hell.

Aware of Patrick’s reluctant admiration, Kyle basks in the attention even though Patrick isn’t the type of man he normally goes for. Averse to relationships after being hurt in the past, Kyle enjoys the occasional hook up, but has given up on seeking anything more meaningful.

Stuck together, their antagonism escalates along with a heavy dose of sexual tension until it finally ignites. What starts as a Christmas fling soon feels like something special; but will their tentative connection melt away as the snow thaws? If they’re going to take a chance on finding happiness together, they’ll have to put their differences aside and learn to trust one another.

Contains: enemies-to-lovers, snowball fights, bickering, spanking, a cute dog, a wise old lady, mistletoe, and a happy ending (of course).

This is my first Christmassy theme book I read this year.

I’m so glad that this book become my very first! It’s definitely become a great opening to many holidays theme book following the season.

The story successfully caught me right from the start. The dynamic between the two main characters are mixtures of annoying and sweet at the same time.
Both Patrick and Kyle are way to stubborn to confess that what they feels during their moment together is more than just a Christmas fling, thanks God there’s Mrs. Wilcox who make them finally open their eyes and have the courage to admit what they feels before it’s too late.

Stuck With You is a very cute and sweet enemies-to-lovers story with a nice old lady with a dog, two lovable main characters with their own baggage from the past, enemies from workplace, trapped together because a blizzard two days before Christmas Eve then falling in love…

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 : Father of The Groom (Love and Care #1) by Silvia Violet

Title : Father of The Groom
Author : Silvia Violet
Series : Love and Care book 1
Genre(s) : contemporary gay romance
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Avery has a good life. He loves his job as a makeup artist, and he’s ecstatic about being Twink of Honor in his best friend’s wedding. He’s more than capable of supporting himself, but that doesn’t stop him from longing for an older man who’ll take care of him.

Graham Hillingdon has finally repaired his relationship with his son, and he’s thrilled to be part of his son’s wedding day, though he wishes he had a plus one to bring with him. Sadly, he has yet to find a man who appreciates both his dominant and nurturing sides; maybe even someone to call him Daddy.

When Avery and Graham meet at the wedding, attraction sizzles between them, and they end up spending an insanely hot night together. Graham makes sure Avery knows exactly who’s in charge in bed, but afterwards, he’s exquisitely gentle. This is just what Avery needs, and Graham is certain he’s finally found a man who desires what he has to give. Neither of them wants to part the next day, but between their age difference and their reluctance to reveal their relationship to Graham’s son, they wonder if they have any chance for a future together. But as perfect as they are for each other, shouldn’t it be worth the risk?

It’s a short, fun, cheesy and a bit meh reading, BUT surprisingly I ridiculously like it…
Well, maybe I’m in my very super duper cheesy mood when I read it.

The story actually a bit fun at some part. I do enjoying the daddy/boy games Graham and Avery play during their secretly short encounter because Avery is actually the bride-to-be-twinky-gay-best-friend and Graham is actually the groom’s father and that put Avery on the same age as Carter, Graham’s son. Graham just come out as gay few years ago and have not good relationship with his ex wife after the divorce. But Carter insisted his father to attend his wedding and Graham couldn’t say no to his beloved son. And be at the wedding means he must faced the awkward situation with his ex wife and her bigot friends.

What he didn’t expected is he meet this cute, sexy twink that caught his attention since the first time he saw him. On the other hand, Avery with his daddy kink also can’t denied his attraction to the smokin' hot daddy he meet while checking on the wedding preparation. They start flirting with each other before later they finally know the truth.

I found that the story is kinda cute and the daddy/boy role play kinda hot but way too short and like a short story that being ripped from a full length novel and ended just like that. Later I know that this is actually just an ‘appetizers’ to the real full book that release not long after this. Like I said before that (surprisingly) I kinda enjoying the book at first, but after some ridiculous and childish moment at nearly end the book I decided to deduct the rating…

Do I want to know what will happen next with Graham and Avery in the next book? Well….I still don’t know yet, but maybe I’ll try it someday when I’m in cheesy messy mood again. Who knows right?

REVIEW : Temptation in Neon by Peter Dawes

Title : Temptation in Neon
Author : Peter W. Dawes
Genre(s) : gay romance, paranormals, vampires, polyamory, trans 
Publication Date : July 17th 2018
My Rating(s) : 3/5 Stars

Danny Turner had sex last night. At least, he’s pretty sure that’s what happened. Memory gaps, strange wounds on his neck, and blood-stains on his clothing lead him on a quest to recreate a wild night spent at his favorite club, Nocturne. When his journey brings him to a vampire feeding den, he finds out that you only get one chance to walk away – and his curiosity blew it. The vampire who marked him is a two-hundred-year-old man named Liam Quinn. Together with his immortal child, Mari, Liam struggles to determine what to make of the headstrong human. After all, you only survive for two-centuries if you have rules. Something about Danny tempts Liam to bend more than a few, though, while Mari determines to break some entirely. Whatever happens next, Danny’s life as he knew it is over. He just needs to stay alive long enough to show Liam that he’s worth the trouble.

Set in the backdrop of 1980s Philadelphia, Temptation in Neon brings the dark, Gothic subculture of the late 80s into the queer struggle of the time. In this setting, Danny Turner comes to recognize that the very shackles which bind him to Liam and Mari also have the power to set him free.

M/M/F with polyamory, trans, and gay representation, steamy scenes, and an HEA.

The blurb really tempting me and it’s been so long since the last time I read gay-vampire-romance. So, when I accidentally stumbled into this book and read the blurb, I said to myself, “Why not?”

The story a bit blurred and confusing at the beginning because we all were ‘forced’ to following Danny’s jumbled mind about what had happen to him though his POV.

Waking up disoriented about what had happen last night or a day before, Danny start the day in huge confused about what had happen to him before. What he only remember is he was out to a gothic club, have a drink, nope….maybe a lot of drinks and then BHAM! – the next thing he know that he woke up on his bed feeling dizzy with memory gap. The only clue he had from what happen is the bite mark on his neck, few drops of blood on his shirt and the almost very vivid dreams he has about meeting a breathtaking beautiful guy named Liam who turned out to be a vampire?

In the middle of his confusion, he decided to following his instinct to find the truth about what had happen to him days before. His search brought him to the club named Nocturne and accidentally meet the girl who also have the same bite mark on her neck. The girl then lead him to this very secret club which actually a vampire feeding den. When he finally meet with the vampire who appeared in his dream, Danny realized that his life might be in danger…

I must admit the story a bit confusing but at the same time its intriguing enough to drew my curiosity. I like Liam and Mari relationship and their strong bond to each other. Mari is a trans, found and ‘saved’ by Liam. Since then Mari become Liam’s ‘child’ and following Liam everywhere. When Danny presence drawn Liam’s full attention and later caused some trouble to Liam’s because it’s broke some of the vampires coven rules had put Liam’s in dilemma, Mari’s patience in opening Liam’s eyes to the fate that lies before his eyes made me love and respect her. How she ‘persuade’ and ‘comfort’ Danny and slowly put Danny into their polyamory relationship is another things that I found interesting.

There’s still a loopholes here and there but overall I think I do enjoying the story enough to leave this nice review.

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!