Review : Unromance

Unromance by Erin Conner

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Adult, Friends To Lovers, Holiday, LGBT, Christmas,

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 343

Published: January 14, 2025

Sawyer Greene knows romance. She’s a bestselling author of the genre—or she was, until her college girlfriend left her with nothing but writer’s block and bitterness. So when Sawyer gets stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger, she sees it for what it is: not a meet-cute but a chance encounter with a charming man whom she will sleep with exactly once and go on her way. Easy enough...until she runs into him again at a Christmas market straight out of a Hallmark holiday movie. 

Sawyer is a romance writer going through a bit of a writer's block. Once she manages a meet cute encounter with a guy stuck on an elevator they strike up a deal this winter season to help her out. 

So I should have known when I picked up this book it would be based off of the winter time but I didn't realize that until later on and now I am weirdly Christmas spirit in the middle of summer the positive note I can do a Christmas in July if I wanted to now that I'm in that seasonal mood. I did enjoy this book I liked the whole friends to lover Trope if you're into fake dating kind of situation you might like this book. I enjoyed getting to see both of their point of views. These two had great chemistry and there was a few steamy scenes. I thought it was interesting their thought processes when it came to helping her with her writer's block. Overall this was a pretty good book it was fun and charming and if you are looking to put something on your future Christmas time tbr list or your Christmas in July list maybe this will be it.

Review : Really Cute People

Really Cute People by Markus Harwood-Jones

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 336

Published: March 12, 2024

A little domestic bliss never hurt anyone…right?

Charlie Dee is headed for burnout. They’ve been burned before, both by their bio family and the now-defunct queer collective they once called home. So when they’re asked to take a work trip outside the city, they jump at the chance. Sure, it’s additional work with no additional pay, but it’s also an excuse to get out of town—and out of their own head.

That dream is shattered when Charlie opens the door to their supposedly private rental. There’s a bird on the loose, circling the living room as it’s chased by a cat, who is chased by a small child. The girl’s parents, Hayden and Buffy, only manage to add to the chaos. They promise to leave first thing in the morning, but when a massive snowstorm rolls in, this overnight trip becomes a weeklong affair.

Reluctantly charmed by this unfiltered—if forced—look at a loving, healthy family, Charlie begins to develop feelings for both Hayden and Buffy. And they both seem to be flirting back. But when a potential promotion lures Charlie back to the city, all three will have to decide where they go from here—and what it means to truly feel at home.

Read this book recently and I really enjoyed it. This is the first time I'm coming across a book with a non-binary character in a healthy polyamorous relationship. I liked getting to know how unique each character was and seeing their relationship was forming with each role that played out. You can just see the care and love forming with this unique family dynamic also just want to point out Rainbow is a trip. I look forward to seeking out more books like this with poly relationships and non binary characters, I really want to be able to check out different people and relationships. Overall I enjoyed this book takes place in wintertime so would be nice to put on your winter tbr list. Even great now as an escape from this heat. 

Review: Plot Twist

Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa

The Hollywood Series #2

Genre: Romance Contemporary Contemporary Romance Adult Audiobook Fiction LGBT Chick Lit Adult Fiction Mental Health

Goodreads: Click

Pages: 336

Published: November 14, 2023

She’s written off more than she can chew…

Romance author Sophie Lyon’s ironic secret just went viral: she’s never been in love—and it’s ruining her reputation. With a manuscript deadline looming, Sophie makes an ambitious plan to overcome her writer’s block: reunite with her exes (including her last girlfriend Carla, the one person she could have loved) to learn why she’s never fallen in love, and document it all for her millions of new online followers.

Luckily, Sophie’s reclusive landlord, Dash Montrose—a former teen heartthrob—has social media all figured out and is willing to help. What he doesn’t mention is that he’s an anonymous online crafter, a hobby that helps him maintain his sobriety. No one knows about his complicated relationship with alcohol, and with a family that’s Hollywood royalty, Dash has to steer clear of scandal.

As Sophie and Dash grow closer, they discover a heat between them that rivals Dash’s pottery kiln. But Sophie needs to figure out who she is outside her relationships, and Dash isn’t sure he’s stable enough for the commitment she deserves. So Sophie suggests what any good romance author would: a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Surely a strictly casual relationship won’t cause any trouble…

Sophie is a romance writer dealing with writers block then her secret is out: she's never been in love. Now she's looking back at those she's dated to see if she can find a second chance at romance in the hopes it gives her some inspiration for her book. Dash is her best friends brother who is dealing with a stalker and sobriety and looking towards a new career. As they confide in eachother their feeling start to border in friends with benefits but hopeful towards something more.

This was such a fun read. I loved the two main characters and getting to know them. Dash was dealing a lot of pressure when it came to his family and it's sobriety and Sophie on the other hand was dealing with so much stress when it came to her writing job and with the deadline looming over. I loved the way the two interacted with each other and seeing that chemistry between the two where you can't help but root for them. Overall this was a really good book I really enjoyed it.

Review : The First Man

The First Man by Alex Kelly

(From Connemara With Love #2)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, MMRomance, LGBT, 

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Purchase Link: Amazon | Walmart eBooks 

Pages: 542

Published: February 25th 2021

Shane

Do you want to know what it means to live like me?
It means being forced not to look at him, not to touch him, not to be left alone in the same room as him.
Not to seek him out. Not to want him.
Not to love him.
Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love someone who doesn’t want to be loved?
I’ll tell you how it feels.
It feels as if you’re living in constant torment: you know which path you should follow, but you also know that, if you follow that path, you can never turn back.
And I can’t do that to him.
Every day I come back, because I know that he’s waiting for me.
Every day I promise him that he will never have to live without me.

Andy

Do you know what it means to live like me?
It means being forced not to touch him, not to kiss him, not to be able to leave the room while he’s still in it.
Not to breathe him in, not to lust after him.
Not to love him.
Do you know how it feels to spend your entire life pretending to be someone else? Do you know what it’s like to love the only person you’re not allowed to love?
I’ll tell you how it works.
You can’t seem to feel anything other than him; when you walk away, you know that you’re turning your back on the only thing that’s good in your life.
Yet you still walk away.
Every day I leave, knowing that he will be standing there, watching.
Every day I ask him to promise me that I will never have to live without him.

Shane and Andy has a history of attraction but since Andy is younger and Shane's best friends little brother its been a clear no for eachother. But now its harder to fight this attraction and since this is a close knit town its hard they was worried those around them aren't open to the idea of them being out. 

You know what I just realized this is the perfect time to read this LGBT book since its Pride month. I loved seeing that attraction between the two. I love the whole forbidden romance kinda thing which was kinda how it was since its his best friends little brother theres kinda  a line that forms that you don't really do that. It was even tougher since they Shane knew Andy while he was young and they are gay so its the worry and confusion of what people will say and do. I loved seeing the romance, and getting to know the characters. I loved that there was the back and forth between the past of how things were and how they are now. Theres plenty to enjoy about this book and highly reocmmend.

Review : Just Like That

Just Like That by Cole McCade

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, LGBT,

Goodreads: Click

Published:  June 30th 2020 by Carina Adores

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories featuring beloved romance tropes, where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

Summer Hemlock never meant to come back to Omen, Massachusetts.

But with his mother in need of help, Summer has no choice but to return to his hometown, take up a teaching residency at the Albin Academy boarding school—and work directly under the man who made his teenage years miserable.

Professor Fox Iseya.

Forbidding, aloof, commanding: psychology instructor Iseya is a cipher who’s always fascinated and intimidated shy, anxious Summer. But that fascination turns into something more when the older man challenges Summer to be brave. What starts as a daily game to reward Summer with a kiss for every obstacle overcome turns passionate, and a professional relationship turns quickly personal.

Yet Iseya’s walls of grief may be too high for someone like Summer to climb…until Summer’s infectious warmth shows Fox everything he’s been missing in life.

Now both men must be brave enough to trust each other, to take that leap.

To find the love they’ve always needed…

Just like that.

I'm surprised it took me a while to pick this book up because once I started I just couldn't stop. I absolutely loved that attraction between the two, seeing them push one another. Summer is out of college still trying to figure out himself and he went back to his hometown to work at his old school as a Teacher Assistance for a old teacher of his Fox.  There area few steamy scenes but not a ridiculous amount which I appreciate I hate when some books go overboard I want to see the change,  the attraction and  the romance of the couple. I just love Summer and Fox they were just what eachother needed to get out of their comfort zone and push to be better people. Overall loved this book highly recommend!

Review : Burn Zone

Burn Zone by Annabeth Albert

(Hotshots #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Erotica, LGBT, MM Romance,

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Purchase Link: Amazon | BN | Walmart eBooks 

Pages: 336

Published:  April 27th 2020 by Carina Press

Introducing Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series—the emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild.

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…

Smoke jumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems.

Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smoke jumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring—is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants.

Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, never mind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob.

This book is approximately 90,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

I was in a fireman romance kick when I requested this book. At first I was interested in this book but quickly came to realize it was an erotica which isn't something I'm a fan of. I figured I'd read this book anyways but just that I would skip the graphic steamy scene and just stick to the story in general. I feel like I skipped most of the book and the story that was left was okay. I was hoping for more out of this knowing more about the characters, their backgrounds and such. The story overall was overdone I've read plenty of LGBTQ books and got more out of the story then just steamy scenes. Now that I'm finished reading this book I would say its okay. 

Review : Hard Ride

Hard Ride by A.M. Arthur

(Clean Slate Ranch #5)
Genre: LGBT, Romance, Western, Contemporary,

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Purchase Link: Amazon | BN | iBooks | Walmart eBooks 

Pages: 336

Published:  February 17th 2020 by Carina Press

Five Weddings and a Fake Boyfriend

City slicker Derrick Massey has always had a thing for cowboys. So a roll in the hay with Kendall “Slater” Stamos during a rustic weekend wedding is more than A-OK. But when Slater’s forced to hang up his saddle for the season, Derrick surprises even himself with his proposition: be my fake boyfriend and get my family off my back about finding a permanent partner.

Though unexpected, the arrangement is a win-win. Derrick gets a plus-one for a slew of summer weddings and Slater gets a place to stay while he recuperates…with lots of casual fun in between. Which is just how the sexy cowboy likes it: casual. Yet it’s obvious the chemistry between them is anything but.

With the countdown to their “breakup” on, the more time the two men spend together. And the more it becomes clear that what they have could be real, if only they let it be.

This book is approximately 83,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Derrick is swamped with invites as wedding seasons approaches with no date to attend with means getting hassled and set up from well wishers. Slater and Derrick have a hot night together and pretty much left it there. But when Slater ends up with an injury that leaves him out for work for a bit of time while healing. Derrick ends up coming up with the idea of giving Slater a place to stay to heal but also help out by being his fake boyfriend while he gets.  They got enough chemistry to convince those around them but its going to be hard to break it off once the arrangement ends.

Not sure how I got an ARC of this book. I think it was a random pick for me when I chose it, I like western books so it was probably the cover that interested me. I don't remember reading the descritption or antyhing and wasn't expecting an lgbt book. But I will say that once I started the book I really could'nt put it down. I was enjoying the characters and getting to know them. Then there was that undeniable chemistry between the two and you really can't help but root for the characters to end up together. There are plenty of steamy scenes, I'm not really into any steamy scenes in general but if your into that then you might enjoy the ones here. Overall just a enjoyable contemporary romance.

Review : I Broke Into His Office

I Broke into his Office by Jessica Frances

Genre: Contemporary,  Romance

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Purchase Link : Amazon | BN | Kobo

Pages: 329

He broke into his office, and had his heart stolen in return.

I broke into his office,
But I didn’t have a choice.
So what if he is good-looking?
So what if he is single?
So what if he is my type?
Why should it worry me that he could easily overpower me?
Who cares if what I’m doing is wrong and illegal?
I can’t second-guess myself, even if there is the possibility of more between us.
The risk is too great.
The threat all too real.
Unfortunately, my life is about to implode,
And the least of my problems is an irate private investigator.
When old threats return,
And new threats—mainly four scary women—attack,
The best thing I can do is just keep my head down and ride it out.
Then, why can’t I stop thinking about him?
Why do I find him so irresistible?
And what happens if I make one mistake and lose him forever?
Because this is quickly becoming far more than either of us could have ever imagined,
And the life and death stakes mean neither of us can mess up.
I can’t believe breaking into his office has led to all this.
Then again, as some people say: there is nothing quite like love at first … crime.

After reading the previous book and was impressed by this I had to know what was the deal with Harvey's story. I didn't even read the description to this book before getting into it, I had a feeling I was going to like it and turns out I was right. I loved getting to see Harvey and Nix and seeing him open up to someone other then Teagan. I loved seeing the attraction between the two, I loved seeing the true feelings one another had by seeing to know both of their point of view. I enjoyed the moments where Nix was struck with the ladies and seeing how they talked with one another. There is drama and suspense of wondering what was going to happen next. When things start to look good these guys just couldn't catch a break. Overall pretty great book, I still needs to see what previously happen in the first and second book and I really appreciate that I was able to get ahold of this book.

Review : Spinning

Spinning by Tillie Walden

Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, Graphic Novel, Sport, Figure Skating,

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Purchase link: Amazon | BN | Kobo

Poignant and captivating, Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden's powerful graphic memoir, Spinning, captures what it's like to come of age, come out, and come to terms with leaving behind everything you used to know.

It was the same every morning. Wake up, grab the ice skates, and head to the rink while the world was still dark.

Weekends were spent in glitter and tights at competitions. Perform. Smile. And do it again.

She was good. She won. And she hated it.

For ten years, figure skating was Tillie Walden's life. She woke before dawn for morning lessons, went straight to group practice after school, and spent weekends competing at ice rinks across the state. It was a central piece of her identity, her safe haven from the stress of school, bullies, and family. But over time, as she switched schools, got into art, and fell in love with her first girlfriend, she began to question how the close-minded world of figure skating fit in with the rest of her life, and whether all the work was worth it given the reality: that she, and her friends on the figure skating team, were nowhere close to Olympic hopefuls. It all led to one question: What was the point?The more Tillie thought about it, the more Tillie realized she'd outgrown her passion--and she finally needed to find her own voice.

I think I first heard this book through a booktuber that is what had drawn me to this book. Plus its a graphic novel so I figured what the heck and decided to pick this book up. Thing is as much as I keep hearing people talk about it I didn't find myself enjoying the book. So what I didn't realize was that this book was a memoir and I'm not into books like that. If I would've known I would'nt had picked this book up. Overall it was okay, maybe two stars for me, I just doing think that this book was for me.

Review : 10 Things I Can See From Here

10 Things I Can See From Here by Carrie Mac

Genre: Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Mental Health, Romance

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Purchase link: Amazon | BN | Kobo

Pages: 320

Perfect for fans of Finding Audrey and Everything, Everything, this is the poignant and uplifting story of Maeve, who is dealing with anxiety while falling in love with a girl who is not afraid of anything.

Think positive.
Don’t worry; be happy.
Keep calm and carry on.

Maeve has heard it all before. She’s been struggling with severe anxiety for a long time, and as much as she wishes it was something she could just talk herself out of, it’s not. She constantly imagines the worst, composes obituaries in her head, and is always ready for things to fall apart. To add to her troubles, her mom—the only one who really gets what Maeve goes through—is leaving for six months, so Maeve will be sent to live with her dad in Vancouver.

Vancouver brings a slew of new worries, but Maeve finds brief moments of calm (as well as even more worries) with Salix, a local girl who doesn’t seem to worry about anything. Between her dad’s wavering sobriety, her very pregnant stepmom insisting on a home birth, and her bumbling courtship with Salix, this summer brings more catastrophes than even Maeve could have foreseen. Will she be able to navigate through all the chaos to be there for the people she loves? 

All I knew about this book was that it had a characters with anxiety and I've seen one or two people mention the book with no opinion so I sought out to see for myself how good this book was. Plus, have you seen the cover its bright af and I love a good cover that can catch my eye. Plus without the cover its yellow, I rarely come across a book with a yellow cover, or at least undercover part so it appealed to me. Plus that little detail of the owl was cute.

Trust me when I say all you have to do is read the first page to the book and you'll be sucked in.

I found the main character interesting, slightly annoying with her nagging but I got used to her quirky behavior,even saw myself a bit in her with her constant worrying. I thought it was interesting seeing her life with her fathers side of the family being that her mother was off to Haiti for six months. I loved seeing how her brain worked in general, must be exhausting thinking the way Maeve does. I'm a worrying sort of person but it didn't seem to stop when it came to her. I enjoying seeing how wierd and awkward things turned out for her and Salix. I loved how understanding Salix was when it came to Maeve. I loved seeing Maeve finaly speak out in different situations when something bothered her.

Then there comes that point in the book nearing the ending with her friendship with Ruthie. There was a topic that surprised me. I'm not sure why it did, I was confused at first and thought about how I never heard about situations like that. I suppose what comes after should be clear about what it is (ARG so difficult I know I'm being vague but I want to talk about it and not sure how, especially since I don't want to ruin the book for you readers who haven't read the book yet) But that situation was clear, but okay I was just as confused at Maeve and I was happy that Salix was there to clearly state things and I just really loved how it turned out. Nicely handled situation.

Overall I enjoyed this book it was really good and I had a hard time putting down the book. Highly Recommend.

* *I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.* * 

Award-winning author Carrie Mac is well-known for her adeptness at captivating young adult audiences; she has written ten books for young adults, and won the 2010 Sheila A. Egoff Book Prize for her previous work, The Gryphon Project. She lives with her family in Vancouver, BC.

Book Tour / Review: Tempting Tristian

Tempting Tristan By Melissa Foster

Harborside Nights Series #3

Releasing October 19, 2016

EverAfter Romance

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try and figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the Army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star—for the incident that nearly cost him his life, and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept, and live the life he’s always dreamed of.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together the hotter the flames become. But the closer Tristan gets, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

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Link to Follow Tour: Click

Goodreads Link: Click

Alex was left scarred in more then one way when he was injured while on service and his loving grandmother died. He has been hiding his true self while on service and PDA isnt' his thing. On the advice of his grandmother he is now at Harborside. Meanwhile there is Tristan, he is out and proud and loves his life. Alex and Tristan got a lot to deal with before they can fully be together but will learn to deal with problems that come their way.

Loved this book, I don't come across LGBT books as often as i'd like and its pretty great to branch out when it comes to reading. I loved this book it was interesting getting Alex and Tristan's perspective. This book was pretty steamy and dirty so if that isn't for you you aren't going to want to pick this book up because this book was pretty hott sessions throughout. I loved the characters, getting to see Alex's POV as being a military man and gay and how conflicting that maybe to other at least. Then there is the Scars he has that left him feeling self conscious leaving him to push others away. I loved how accepting the characters were in this book in more then one way. I loved seeing Tristan give Alex the push he needs to challenge him. I enjoyed the book it was pretty great. 

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We step forward at the same time, and he presses his rough hand to my cheek. “I don’t know what kind of pussies you went out with before, but I wanted to fucking claim you in there.”

He slides a hand around my waist, tugging our bodies together. I feel every hard inch of him, and he’s got me so hot I’m sure we’re going to combust.

“I’ve spent almost nine years hiding who I am, and I’m not willing to do it anymore,” he says through clenched teeth. “Not here, where I came to start over. Where I came to live on my terms without the goddamn military hanging over my head.”

“I have no interest in hiding,” I assure him.

“You’re sure? Because I really want to kiss you right now, and I don’t care who sees us.”

I respond by pulling his mouth to mine, my break from men long forgotten. We stumble backward, crashing into the railing, fighting for dominance as we did yesterday morning. The passion between us has a life of its own. My hands claw over his ass, up his back. I want to strip him down and take all of him. I want to discover why he’s so rough and learn what about those shadows that are lurking behind his gorgeous eyes. Instead I take, and give, and take more of the angry kisses. When we finally tear our mouths apart, my body’s still reeling, and we both curse under our breaths.

“Okay?” he pants out.

I nod, knowing if I open my mouth, I want to fuck you, is going to come out. 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women's fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa's emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented. 

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads