ARC REVIEW : True Colors (True Love #2) by Anyta Sunday

 

Oskar used to be Marco’s best friend. His everything. His sunshine yellow.

But that was before. Before Marco stopped being a hot jock. Before he learned to live with scars and pain. And before Oskar tore their friendship apart.

Now the boy next door has returned home, determined to rekindle his friendship with Marco, and Marco’s more afraid than ever. Afraid of getting hurt. Afraid of being humiliated.

Afraid of falling in love.

Can Oskar find a way through Marco’s fear, back into his heart?


~~~~***~~~~

"True Colors" is an enemies to lovers, boy next door, first time, slow burn M/M romance with a generous helping of UST. This no-cliffhanger, HEA book can be read as a standalone.

True Colors by Anyta Sunday
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sunglow yellow. The start of our story

"There’s a lot of things I’m not sure about. Things I’m still trying to work through. Will work through.
But the thing I know with absolute certainty?
Oskar and me? Our story didn’t start at hate."

I have no words how to explain how much I adored the this story.
Anyta Sunday did it again, playing with my heart, playing with my head, and how I loved the beautiful poetic prose this story brings.
Fear of his s own scars, of how Oskar will see him, destroyed their happiness to be with his soulmates, Marco let his anger rotten. And the way Marco dealt with his own regrets, made them separate for years. But love...sigh.. true love is strong and they're trying so hard to fight their hate, their own demons to reach their pending happiness again, the way they were back then.

This is a beautiful story, just like the author mentioned before, a healthy portion of angst (not much, really), and lots of happiness.

This is the story of acceptance, forgiveness and finding your true colors...Just like Marco and his colors, their life is full of colors and it started with a sunglow yellow...the color of Marco's hair...

"You were my first color.
My Happy. My everything."

SIGH.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


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SECOND EDITION ARC REVIEW : After the Fire (Through Hell and Back #2) by Felice Stevens

 

A single bullet destroyed the dreams of Dr. Jordan Peterson. With his lover dead, Jordan descends into an endless spiral of self-destruction that nearly costs him his friends, his career and his life. When Jordan finds himself working closely with the aloof Lucas Conover, the investment banker’s mysterious past and unexpected kindness shocks him back into a life and emotions he’d thought lost forever.

The betrayal by the foster brother he’d worshiped, taught Lucas Conover never to trust or believe in anyone. Living a solitary life doesn’t free him of the nightmare of his youth; it reinforces his belief that he would never fall in love. When the death of one of his clients forces him to work closely with Dr. Jordan Peterson, he meets a person whose suffering exceeds his own. Though Jordan rejects his effort to help, something within Luke pushes him discover more about the first man to ever get under his skin.

As Luke lets down his guard and Jordan lets go of his pain, desire takes control. Each man must come to terms with past struggles if they are to create a future together. And learning to trust in themselves and love again after tragedy and a lifetime of pain, may be the only thing that saves them in the end.

This is a re-release of the original version published in 2015

After the Fire by Felice Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It feels like a reunion to me.
Still a new tears (a very similar feeling the first time I read about Jordie). Different but the same pain.
I took this book too personally, because I'd lost the one like Jordie lost Keith.
It was hard to recollection the memories that left behind, but I think, revisiting Jordan and Lucas, and a memory of Keith reminds me again, how now I sometimes forgot 'his face', still remember how he laugh and walk, but his face...it's like saying goodbye for a million times, again and again.
I felt Jordie's pain. But he's not going to ruined his life again, thanks to Luke.
He's like Godsend from heaven for Jordan.
I loved their interaction, and the enemy became a lover in very smooth way.
Revisiting a reunion between ash and Luke was also something precious. The once 'brothers' now have to face their own demon.
With an additional more than 4000 words, this book is worth re-reading for.
and the tears...it's still the same...

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ARC REVIEW : Cleansing Flame (Rekindled Flame #2) by Andrew Grey

 

Sequel to Rekindled Flame

Rekindled Flame: Book Two

Life has been grinding Dayne Mills down almost for as long as he can remember. First he lost the love of his life in an accident that also left him with a permanent injury, and then his mother passed away a year later. When his house burns to the ground, it’s the last straw. He can’t take any more, and if it wasn’t for kind and handsome firefighter Lawson Martin offering him a hand up and a place to stay, he doesn’t know what he’d do. Dayne would love for his relationship with Lawson to evolve into something beyond charity, but he knows going after a man so far out of his league will only lead to yet more heartache. It’s best to just keep his mind on his research.

It’s that research that leads Dayne to an old student journal that not only provides clues to the Native American heritage Lawson has been searching for, but chronicles a century-old love story. The tale that unfolds might be just what Dayne and Lawson need to remind them that no matter how dark life becomes, love can find a way to shine through.

Cleansing Flame by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This another modern fairy tales. I'm glad I can read this book earlier.
I always have a weakness for a geek story. And Dayne is definitely a geek. And one more plus point is, he met Lawson (his savior) at the library :)
Fair warning : this is an insta love, this is at some point a little out of reality (meeting a stranger and accepted his offer to live with him is a bit creepy, but the reason behind that, make sense).
Okay, I'm a hopeless romantic. I loved this kind of 'relationship', based on 'blind trust' between the two guys.

The attraction started early, as I mentioned earlier, at the library, before Dayne lost everything.
This is sweet and adorable and dreamy, no real angst between the two guys, except how much Dayne trying to tell Lawson that he must leave and Lawson keep telling him 'not to', and Dayne obeyed. Aww...how sweet...
The only twist is when something happened to Lawson, and it ended well, don't worry.
Andrew Grey is sweet like that.
Overall, this entertaining and adorable if you're looking for a light read. I recommend this one.


*ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press for LBB in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*



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Lelyana's Book Blog: ARC REVIEW : Imago (Imago #1) by N.R. Walker

Lelyana's Book Blog: ARC REVIEW : Imago (Imago #1) by N.R. Walker:   Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a ...

ARC REVIEW : The Sparky by Marek Moran

 

Aaron’s been living in what his friend Howie calls a sexual desert. But an oasis appears on the horizon when Paul, a divorced electrician with a five-year-old daughter named Sam, moves in next door. He’s a country boy from northern Australia, and although he’s never been with a guy before, he has an impression that anything goes in the city. They find that the ordinary things in life—books, footie in the park, looking after Sam—lead them into an unlikely relationship.

But as their relationship slowly deepens, with Aaron spending time on Paul’s family’s cattle station, it becomes clear that Paul might have a harder time leaving the country behind. To him, happiness means a conventional life—including a mother for Sam. Being with his old friends convinces him he’s on the wrong path with Aaron, and he starts a relationship with a girl from his hometown. If he cannot find the courage to go after what he truly needs, he and Aaron will become nothing more than awkward neighbours.

The Sparky by Marek Moran
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

*Ranting ahead...*

This is not I expected.
This is the case it's me book,not you.
I didn't like Paul. And Aaron is too doormat for my taste.
And there's cheating (imo,you can have your own opinion after you read this), and with a woman ffs!

It started very well in the beginning, a little bit slow, but i didn't mind. If not because of Paul's daughter, Sam, I'll probably pissed off even more.
I get that Aaron need to moved on real fast after being dumped by his 'not really' a boyfriend.
But Paul never been with a guy before, he's straight and he doubted his 'intention' to Aaron. Okay he mingled well with Aaron's friends and all. But in my opinion, Paul is too shallow.
How could he sleep with Aaron and brought Aaron to his family and then dumped Aaron over a 'woman'???
I was so mad at him, I can't even...!
And Aaron is no better, he sounded really desperate, forloving, whatever.
I would love it, if Aaron dumped Paul and ended with Howie his best friend for so long...
And then after he broke up with that woman, he's just came to Aaron and wanted Aaron back, and Aaron was just OKAY with that?
Pfftt!!!!

I'm disappointed.
*ARC provided by Dreamspinner press for an honest and fair review.*

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ARC REVIEW : Two Cowboys and a Baby (Dreamspun Desires #30) by B.A. Tortuga (

 

A little bundle of joy means big changes.

Hoss McMasters has a working ranch, a bull riding career, a nosy momma, and a best friend he’s been in love with since he can remember. He’s a busy, happy cowboy, living the good life.

Then one morning he discovers a baby on his doorstep.

Well, Hoss does what any reasonable man would do—he calls his momma and his buddy, Sheriff Pooter, and they head to the clinic to see if Doc knows of any suddenly not-so-pregnant girls.

In the meantime, Hoss and his best friend, Bradley, have their hands full trying to care for an infant, run a ranch, and deal with the sudden confession that Bradley doesn’t hate Hoss for coming out to him in high school. In fact, Bradley’s been trying to catch Hoss’s attention for damn near a decade.

Two Cowboys and a Baby by B.A. Tortuga
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Started well, with baby and the awkwardness of suddenly having a baby sent to him, and all the hectic situation when you have a new born baby on your porch.
While Hoss is an awkward one, Bradley is the stupid one. They're best friend, and I hated that the lacking of 'communication skills' between couples (in general) ruined the relationship.
Can't they just 'TALK' like and adult instead of running away and judging?
That's what's happened, I wanted to slap Bradley for that.
Hoss is also need to repair his communication skill, he can 'explain' it to Bradley, right?
Well, chicks with dicks, too much talked over nothing. I'm not happy.

More thoughts to follow


* ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : After the Romance Novel (Before... and After #1) by Susan Laine

 

Romance novels always end with a happy ever after. Right?

Evan and Adam are best friends, but they don’t know everything about each other. For one thing, Adam doesn’t know Evan writes and publishes gay romance novels until he discovers one while snooping on Evan’s laptop.

This revelation changes their relationship in ways neither could’ve imagined. Adam’s reaction to reading Evan’s stories is not what he expected, nor is the new way he’s looking at his lifelong pal. After all, Adam is straight, or so he’s always thought, and that is what Evan believes about Adam as well.

When Evan admits he might be bisexual, Adam suggests he try dating girls to find out for sure, but when Evan follows his advice, Adam is caught off guard by his feelings of jealousy. And when the date proves Evan isn’t bisexual, but gay, Evan’s request that Adam find him a guy might be the last straw.

How can Adam admit he wants that guy to be him? His epiphany will either end their relationship—or change it into something wonderful in their very own friends-to-lovers romance.

After the Romance Novel by Susan Laine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Ah, young love...and the joy of finding your true self sometimes need a little nudge :)
Even you stubbornly told your best friend that you are very straight.
Even after reading your best friend's MM romance novel, and doubted that you are really is 'straight'.
This is fun to read. The L word came fast.Maybe because this one is a short read.
I'm glad both 'young' MCs worked it out real fine.
Nice and light and young.
Sometimes we need this.

* ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : Ringo and the Sunshine Police by Nick Wilgus

 

Thomas, an older gay musician living in a small Southern town, is ready to start a family. He fosters Jeremy, a special needs boy with no arms, and teaches him to play the drums so Jeremy can realize his potential to do anything he wants. Though it takes time, Thomas’s closeted boyfriend Randy steps out of the shadows to be part of what Thomas is working to build. With the advent of marriage equality, it’s a different world in the Deep South—one where the three of them have the chance to be a family.

Yet no one said it would be easy, and they soon learn the foster care system is far from perfect.

Just as Jeremy begins to settle in and thrive, his biological father reappears, demanding custody. Thomas and Randy know the man is unfit to care for Jeremy, but the law says otherwise. It seems they’re the only ones looking out for Jeremy’s best interests, and they face an uphill battle if they want to keep their new family together.

Ringo and the Sunshine Police by Nick Wilgus



This is my first Nick Wilgus book. And while I thought books with kids are usually cute, this one's not too cute. It's a heart breaking book.
See, I have weakness with kids in general. That's why I didn't take Pediatrics, I took Family Medicine instead. I can't bare seeing kids in pain, and I always cry every time I was in Children section. Not supposed to be a doctor in a first place, at all.

Back to this book. Gosh!
It's hard 'seeing' how much Jeremy had been through to his life, and how much I hate 'law'!
Kids don't need law, kids need love!
Poor Jeremy must going through that in his very young age.
I've lost words. I didn't even care about the romance. This is not romance. IMO.

I want to give this one five stars, but I can't. Even in books kids need a little mercy.
I admit that I can't put this book down (I don't know it's good or not), because I was too curious of what would happen to Jeremy.
I want to give this book one star, but it wouldn't be fair.
Did I enjoy this book? No. I was hurt.
Did I hate this book? No. The writing is good, the story is good.
So, where's my position? I'll leave this story no star. Sorry.

I'm still considering.... I'm still loading...

.....

.....

.....


* ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : Step by Step by K.C. Wells

 

Jamie’s life is one big financial mess, and it really isn’t his fault. However, the last thing he expected to find in the library was a Good Samaritan. He might have been suspicious of Guy’s motives at first, but it soon becomes apparent that his savior is a good man who has been lucky in life and is looking to pay it forward. Guy being gay is not a problem. Jamie’s not interested… or so he thinks.

Guy is happy to help Jamie, and the two men get along fine. But when Jamie’s curiosity leads him from one thing to another, Guy finds himself looking at the young man with new eyes. What started out as a hand up is now something completely different….

Step by Step by K.C. Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ooooh I love me some Jamie ❤
This is sweet and adorable and low of angst. I loved how Jamie and Guy didn't jump into a friends with benefit or sugar daddy kind of relationship.
Jamie has his dignity and Guy played along with it.
He let Jamie set his own pace to their relationship, step by step.
Hell not even after 60 percent mark.
But surprisingly this slow burn didn't make me want to strangled someone, it was just has it's own time, and no rush.
There's one time I was kinda pissed at Guy (I won't explain it here). But I think it make sense though.
Jamie is mature for his age and I'm glad, he's just the right one for Guy.
Overall, I really liked this one.
Recommended.

* ARC provided by Dreamspinner Press for LBB for a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : Imago (Imago #1) by N.R. Walker

 

Nerdy, introverted genius lepidopterist, Lawson Gale, is an expert on butterflies. He finds himself in a small town in Tasmania on a quest from an old professor to find an elusive species that may or may not even exist.

Local Parks and Wildlife officer, Jack Brighton, is an ordinary guy who loves his life in the sleepy town of Scottsdale. Along with his Border collie dog, Rosemary, his job, and good friends, he has enough to keep from being lonely.

But then he meets Lawson, and he knows he’s met someone special. There’s more to catching butterflies, Jack realises. Sometimes the most elusive creatures wear bowties, and sometimes they can’t be caught at all.

Lawson soon learns there are butterflies he can’t learn about it in books. They exist only in a touch, in a kiss, in a smile. He just has to let go first, so these butterflies can fly.

Imago is the story of finding love, bowties, and butterflies.

Imago by N.R. Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars







Well, I know what people 'think' and 'said' about this book. Can't you just 'read' this book and compare it with the other?
Why can't be there's more than one butterfly expert , and you can be okay for thousands of 'billionaires' in books?
This book is definitely adorkable, and I really loved Lawson and Jack. Their chemistry was right there from the start.
Yes this is love at first sight, yes this is an insta-love, yes this is fast and obvious.
But you know how Nic Walker with words, right? I was blown away. Especially with how Jack cannot denied even one second that he wants Lawson, the nerdy genius who happened stumbled in his town, for butterflies.
And Lawson, even he cannot understand why Jack interested in him, he goes with the flow, and he found out that Jack is the most affectionate man he has ever met.
This is a really sweet, adorable story. And I can't wait for the next journey of Jack and Lawson...hopefully, in a very near future.
Well done!






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ARC REVIEW : At Attention (Out of Uniform #2) by Annabeth Albert

 

Lieutenant Apollo Floros can ace tactical training missions, but being a single dad to his twin daughters is more than he can handle. He needs live-in help, and he's lucky a friend's younger brother needs a place to stay. He's surprised to see Dylan all grown up with a college degree…and a college athlete's body. Apollo's widowed heart may still be broken, but Dylan has his blood heating up.

It's been eight years since the teenage Dylan followed Apollo around like a lovesick puppy, and it's time he showed Lieutenant Hard-to-Please that he's all man now—an adult who's fully capable of choosing responsibility over lust. He can handle Apollo's muscular sex appeal, but Apollo the caring father? Dylan can't afford to fall for that guy. He's determined to hold out for someone who's able to love him back, not someone who only sees him as a kid brother.

Apollo is shocked by the intensity of his attraction to Dylan. Maybe some no-strings summer fun will bring this former SEAL back to life. But the combination of scorching desire and warm affection is more than he'd expected, and the emotion between them scares him senseless. No fling lasts forever, and Apollo will need to decide what's more important—his past or his future—if he wants to keep Dylan in his life.

At Attention by Annabeth Albert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


*3,5 stars.*

I used to like Apollo in Off Base. But apparently he made me want to pull his hair until he come to his senses.
His constant denial about what he feels for Dylan and their relationship (without communication!), exhausted me to tears.
Well, until 80 percent mark that is.
He wants Dylan, he doesn't want Dylan, repeat.
And Dylan, almost, almost acted like a doormat in my eyes, and that was not okay.
I mean, well, he had a hero worship back then when he was young. But let Apollo treated him like that, hurts me. Seriously.
It was good that he finally 'out', but still let Apollo he's waiting? Hmm...good for Apollo's ego, but for him.
The kids though safe the rating, they're adorable, and they loved Dylan 'unconditionally'.
I like the ending, it was cute after all. Apollo got his lesson, and he better not make Dylan disappointed in the future.


* ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : We Met in Dreams by Rowan McAllister

 

In Victorian London, during a prolonged and pernicious fog, fantasy and reality are about to collide—at least in one man’s troubled mind.

A childhood fever left Arthur Middleton, Viscount Campden, seeing and hearing things no one else does, afraid of the world outside, and unable to function as a true peer of the realm. To protect him from himself—and to protect others from him—he spends his days heavily medicated and locked in his rooms, and his nights in darkness and solitude, tormented by visions, until a stranger appears.

This apparition is different. Fox says he’s a thief and not an entirely good sort of man, yet he returns night after night to ease Arthur’s loneliness without asking for anything in return. Fox might be the key that sets Arthur free, or he might deliver the final blow to Arthur’s tenuous grasp on sanity. Either way, real or imaginary, Arthur needs him too much to care.

Fox is only one of the many secrets and specters haunting Campden House, and Arthur will have to face them all in order to live the life of his dreams.

We Met in Dreams by Rowan McAllister
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am not really into ghost stories. Nope.
But reading the blurb and knowing that "We Met in Dreams" is a historical romance, I think I can go for it.
Happened that I was quite enjoying the story, with the ghost, the 'sight', and what people believe about hallucination during fever counted as 'crazy'.
And Arthur has been 'crazy' for the last ten years of his life. With the dark room, isolation in his own house. Until he met his 'illusion', Fox. That apparently, was not an illusion at all.
Started a little bit slow, and Arthur's beliefs that he is one crazy guy was kinda make me cranky.
But understandable considering the era.
I was glad that Fox finally got Arthur into his senses and realized what they have is real.
But not for a long time. Something's happened, and Fox and Arthur have to face the reality where they have to calm down a little bit, at least for Arthur.
What happened with Fox broke my heart. But I was glad that Arthur can convinced Fox this time.
The ending was a little rushed. Fox and Arthur need more time to explore one another.
It's a HFN, but I think that's make sense in Victoria era for homosexual relationship.
I believe, Fox and Arthur can work it out somehow.
Recommended!

* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*

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ARC REVIEW : Snowblind by Eli Easton

 

Snow, steam, and secrets.

The latest snowstorm carries something unexpected to the doorstep of Hutch’s secluded Alaskan cabin: a stranger named Jude, the most beautiful man Hutch has ever seen. Jude says he’s in the area for a ski trip and that he fled a domineering lover, thinking he could make it into town. But Hutch is a suspicious SOB and treats his unwanted guest warily. The problem is Jude isn’t just gorgeous, he’s funny and smart and flirtatious.

Two gay men snowed in for three days—things happen. Really good things. By the time the storm clears, Hutch finds himself a little too attached to Jude Devereaux, San Francisco-based male model. But is Jude what he claims to be? Or is he entangled in the secrets Hutch moved to Alaska to escape?

REVIEW :


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gosh! I'm tired. The tension reading this book, washed by the great epilogue, and I'm relieved.
But the journey...it was not I expected from a Dreamspun Desires series.
Glad I read this one. Mesmerized by Hutch and Jude's journey, I finished the book with a happy smile.

All the time after 'everything' revealed, I was having a tension on my back, keep wondering and worrying about what's going to happen after...?
I thought, this was going to reach my hard limit and was sure I cannot stomach it.
Glad that my worries didn't happen. I was really really really relieved!
But then..some of my worries came back with a different stage of worries, what if...?
I felt like I was watching a suspense movie with my two heroes in the term of a little bit more close to the point, they're not gonna make it!
I was seriously had this neck tense, you know what I mean? LOL.
Or maybe I was taking this too serious.
This is a Dreamspun Desires after all, and Eli Easton!
Of course we're going to have a HEA. Silly me.
But seriously, you need to prepare for this one, it's not as sweet and easy as I expected. Far from it.
But the tension is worth it, I guess.

Highly recommended. Buy this book! I mean, seriously, buy!


* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange of a fair and unbiased review*

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REVIEW : Cross My Heart by Catt Ford

 

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Roland Reynolds—or Lana Renault, as she’s now known—knows that life is no fairy tale. Fortunately she has her trusted friends, nicknamed the dwarfs, to keep her company. She lives her life to the fullest while keeping what’s beneath her skirt to herself.

American painter Daniel Hunter is no stranger to adversity either, and it’s left him with not only strength but secrets. Unlike Lana, he remains aloof, content to observe life and beauty from the sidelines… until the first time their eyes meet on a crowded Paris street.

Cupid’s arrow finds its mark in Daniel, but while Lana longs for romance, she knows there’s no prince in her happy ever after. If their story is to have a fairy-tale ending, Daniel will have to convince Lana to let down her walls—and, in the process, reveal what he fears sharing the most.


  Cross My Heart by Catt Ford
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A little struggled with the writing style and too much telling.
The idea of cross-dressing guy preferred to be called as 'her' is interesting.
It was started well and kinda sweet. I liked how determined Daniel was.
And Dom and all the dwarfs were also sweet, but a little creepy.
But I think I can understand why, according to Lana's past.

More thoughts to follow later.


* I received the ARC in exchange of a fair and unbiased review.*

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REVIEW : Better with Bacon by Matthew Lang

 

When Patrick’s long-term girlfriend Li Ling dumps him just as he’s working up the nerve to propose, he ends up drunk on David’s couch—and later in David’s bed. Although initially reluctant to pursue anything beyond a one-time drunken tryst, David throws caution to the wind during an intimate dinner, where the two men also discuss Patrick’s dream of entering the food industry. Just as the friends-turned-lovers are settling into their new romance, Li Ling calls Patrick—she’s pregnant.

Convinced the announcement spells the end of their love affair and a return to their platonic friendship, David flees to Sydney to escape his heartbreak. But upon his return to Melbourne, David discovers the situation hasn’t gone the way he’d expected. There might still be a chance for David and Patrick’s dreams to come true if they can forgive each other’s mistakes and move forward.

 Better with Bacon by Matthew Lang
My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Started well and cute, but....after the H did some rebound one week fling with some random guy 'on page'....stars were falling....sadly.
Lacking of communication and the way David running away without asking even 'ONE' word, that was pissing me off!

If only there's no George in between....it's probably a different story.
I was disappointed.


* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review.*

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REVIEW : Rushing Love (States of Love) by Meg Bawden

 

After a devastating breakup with the man he thought he’d spend his life with, Flynn Webb takes a vacation to a South Dakota dude ranch. It’s something completely different from anything he’s done before, and it helps that it’s as far away from his ex as possible. Trapped in his own depressive thoughts, Flynn is surprised to meet Grayson Harland. Not only is Grayson a sexy cowboy—one fifteen years younger—but he’s the most charming man Flynn has ever met.

Flynn doesn’t have much experience with being seduced, and he has even less with guys like Grayson taking an interest in him—and Grayson is definitely interested. What begins as a fling while visiting iconic South Dakota sights soon develops the potential for much more. But Flynn is afraid that falling in love again so soon—and with a man so much younger—will lead only to another catastrophic heartbreak. Luckily for them both, Grayson isn’t giving up without a fight.



States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States. Rushing Love by Meg Bawden
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's love at first sight.
I mean, 'really' love at first 'sight'.
Judging by the title, I think I can understand why.
Flynn just broke up from his boyfriend of nineteen years, Brendan (I think), for a younger guy, and desperate to run away from him, he went to a ranch adventure with his best friend.
And he met a twenty one year old Grayson, and boom, love!
I was kinda tired 'hearing' Grayson complimented Flynn how gorgeous and how beautiful he was.
I know he's young and all, but still...
Flynn of course doubted Grayson intention for him, but Grayson is determined and wanted Flynn to 'move in' with him (in just two days knowing him). Oh, a dream came true of course.
Rushing love was rushing the story of a HEA.
And I don't thing the last scene with Brendan necessary, it's like watching a chick flick drama.
Entertaining if you won't over-analyzed everything like me.
This is light, fun, unnecessary drama....if you're looking for this kind of story with HEA, go for it, you'll love it.


* I received the ARC in exchange of an honest and unbiased review.*


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ARC REVIEW : Love in the Time of Hurricanes (States of Love) by C.C. Bridges

 

 BLURB :

The night Nick Henderson storms into Martelli’s Pizzeria, he’s just looking for something to eat. Along with dinner, he finds Lou Martelli—pizza cook extraordinaire and Jersey Shore native. Nick is renting a Shore house for the winter while taking classes at the local community college as he devises a way to escape the accounting major his father chose for him.

When Lou offers to show Nick around, heat flares between them as they realize they have more in common than domineering families. But it’s not all fun and games on the boardwalk. Hurricane Sandy blows ashore, changing the place Nick was starting to think of as home. His peace is shattered, and it will take everything he has to keep his relationship with Lou from being torn apart by the storm brewing around them.



States of Love: Stories of romance that span every corner of the United States.

REVIEW :


Love in the Time of Hurricanes by C.C. Bridges
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Looking for something different after taking a rest for a semester to another college in another city, and met a pizza guy and finding love. Who would have guess?
This is love at first sight, I didn't mind because this one is a novella, and Lou is just the right guy for Nick. It was fast, sweet, and low angst just what I need when read this one on my weekend getaway.
Based on Hurricane Sandy story, I think the author tried to let us see what was happening with people who lives there and the struggle. Not by much but enough.
The romance between Nick and Lou is smooth, no conflict. It was mostly about how Nick and Lou tried to find out their path after everything settled.
It was a HFN, but I think it's quite enough for now. Who knows that they will have the next book after this?

* I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review*

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ARC REVIEW : Strays (Urban Soul #2) by Garrett Leigh

 

BLURB :

Work, sleep, work, repeat. Nero’s lonely life suits him just fine until his best friend, Cass, asks him to take on a new apprentice—a beautiful young man who’s never set foot in a professional kitchen. Despite his irritation and his lifelong ability to shut the world out, Nero is mesmerised by the vibrant stray, especially when he learns what drove him to seek sanctuary on Nero’s battered old couch.

Lenny Mitchell is living under a cloud of fear. Pursued by a stalker, he has nowhere left to run until Nero offers him a port in a storm—a job at the hottest restaurant in Shepherd's Bush. Kitchen life proves heady and addictive, and it’s not long before he finds himself falling hard and fast for the man who has taken him in.

Fast-forward a month and a neither man can imagine life without the other, but one thing stands in their way: a lifetime of horrors Nero can’t bring himself to share with Lenny. Or can he? For the first time ever, happiness is there for the taking, and Nero must learn to embrace it before fate steps in and rips it away.



REVIEW :


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm living in a Garrett Leigh world. Her story are always like an addiction to me. I need Garrett's boys in my life, and today, Strays dropped onto my hand and I was giddy to start.
Nero is what I expected him to be. I'd already curious about him in Mischief and what kind of 'relationship' he had with Cass before Cass found his HEA with Jake and Tom.
My mysterious man seemed to be having so much burden in the past.
But I'm too familiar with Garrett's books...

Strays somehow, not as dark and too sad like her books I have reading the past, kinda sweet with a touch of Garrett's special style, angst.
I was glad I can read again about Tom, Cass and my Jake. They're definitely have a big part in Nero and Lenny's life.
It's a slow burn between Lenny and Nero, with Nero's grumpy manners and Lenny did his best to make him 'open' for him.

It was cute knowing that after Lenny entered his life, Nero couldn't stand not seeing Lenny even for a few hours. Actually, that was the most adorable thing from Nero.
He's protective of Lenny. Don't hurt Lenny, or you'll answer to Nero. Ha!
Just my kind of guy. Goals!

This is the second installment of Misfits, and I hope I can read more of this series...The characters are intriguing and interesting. Flawed, imperfect but yet perfect for each other.
Well done Garrett.

Highly recommended!

* I received the ARC from Riptide Publishing through Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review.*


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