Protecting Damian (Blooming Desires #3) by Anders Grey

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Blurb

Izak: I knew Damian Cox was a haughty brat before I even laid eyes on him. As the lead singer for a popular band, he was destined to be arrogant and difficult. He's never had a bodyguard who lasted more than a month, and now I'm just another challenge for him—another bodyguard to break.

But unlike the others, I'm unbreakable. Two can play at Damian’s game.

And despite the annoyingly charming way he's growing on me, I don't intend to lose.

Damian: I challenged myself: two weeks to make Izak quit. But you know what they say about the best-laid plans. The stubborn meathead refuses to bend, and for some reason, it’s stupidly endearing.

Sleeping with your bodyguard is a bad idea nine times out of ten. I know that better than anyone because I’ve had about a million bodyguards and haven’t been attracted to any of them—until now.

But you know what’s an even worse idea? Falling in love with your bodyguard.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Protecting Damien is a wonderful bodyguard romance by Anders Grey. It's a slow getting to know each other tale, with the lines eventually blurring.

Isaac and Damien are loveable from the start. Damien's a bratty celebrity who likes to joke and make innuendoes. His finds it a game to get his bodyguard to quit. It's super fun as bratty meets serious and stuffy when Isaac becomes his new bodyguard. 

Written in alternating 1st person pov, the reader is fully pulled into the story.

I enjoy the natural evolution in their relationship, as they suddenly start spending time together. The barriers coming down make for a fun change in their interactions. And even better yet, their status switches to bodyguard with benefits which is fabulous.

Their story includes some issues with the band and plenty of behind the scenes band moments. The conflict is well done and extremely emotional. And the storyline is fun and fluid, hot and spicy. The plot is predictable, but superb.  

Protecting Damien is romantic and riveting. I love the ending and I want more! Since I haven't read the second book in this Anders Grey series, I am going to Amazon to check it out now!

Faking Alec (Blooming Desires #1) by Anders Grey

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Blurb

Rowan: I need a date for a wedding, fast. Not a real boyfriend, but a fake one. Bonus points if he’s sexy, a good actor, and can put up with my crazy family. Why do I need a date? Because if I go by myself, my ex will be assigned to me as a mandatory plus-one.

My ex. The guy who used me, hurt me, and dumped me like trash.

When a handsome stranger hears my dilemma, he comes to my rescue. It’s both a blessing and a curse when he offers to play the part of my fake boyfriend. A blessing because he goes along with my ridiculous plan—and a curse because I want him badly.

But I know he won’t stay. And that’s good, because our relationship is fake anyway. Right?

Alec: I don’t do commitment. After my ex burned me, I swore off relationships. As a photographer for a successful nature magazine, I travel the world and never stay in the same place for long. But when a desperate and hot guy begs me to be his fake boyfriend for a week-long getaway, I surprise myself by saying yes.

I can do seven days. I can even do fake boyfriend.

But Rowan is different. Nothing like my ex or the other men I’ve turned down. When I look into his stormy blue eyes, I’m mesmerized. His touch is electric. His kiss is smoking hot.

It doesn’t take long for me to wonder what’s fake and what’s very, very real.

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Faking Alec is a decent debut novel by Anders Grey. 

Rowan needs a fake boyfriend for a family event, as he's tired of his mother trying to reunite him with his ex. Enter Alex to play the role of his boyfriend.

Rowan is a man who's riddled in self doubt. Having been in an abusive relationship, the author explores the anxiety that follows such abuse. I really enjoyed this part of the story. 

As for Rowan and Alex, well, that is an aspect I loved. The way they naturally start confiding in each other and becoming friends is heart-warming. With a shared hotel room, they find themselves having some sweet and tender moments. 

Honestly, they are just adorable together. Their story is full of those sweet moments of falling in love. It's a story of finding a man who sees the real you and helps ease your anxieties. 

Their story also includes some suspicious family members and a mystery that the two men are out to solve. I was surprised that so much time was spent on the mystery. That part was ok, but I honestly didn't think it deserved so much story time, and this took away from the beautiful romance. 

Faking Alec is both sweet and steamy. I highly recommend reading this one, but maybe skip over some of the mystery.

A Spirit Without Borders (Without Borders #2) by Andrew Grey

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Blurb

Dillon McDowell, an infectious disease specialist, jumps at the opportunity to work with Doctors Without Borders in Liberia. But when he arrives, things are very different than he expected, and he’s out of his depth. Will Scarlet takes him under his wing and helps him adjust. A hint of normalcy comes when a group of local boys invite Dillon to play soccer.

Will’s family rejected him for being gay, and he’s closed off his heart. Even though meeting Dillon opens him to the possibility of love, he’s wary. They come from different worlds, and Will plans to volunteer for another stint overseas. But Will realizes what Dillon means to him when Dillon becomes ill, and they can no longer deny their feelings.

When Dillon’s soccer friends lose their parents and aunt to disease, Will and Dillon must work together to ensure that the boys aren’t cast adrift in a society that’s afraid they might be contagious. They must also decide if their feelings are real or just the result of proximity and hardship.

*Sequel to A Heart Without Borders

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

A Spirit Without Borders is a beautiful, thoughtful, and emotional story. 

Dillon and Will meet while working together as doctors without borders. The author does a great job reminding the readers of the importance of working for this organization. The doctors without borders part is written with compassion and care. 

We know the doctors do their best to help improve life for others, but with these two, the doctors helped to improve each other.

Dillon and Will are two men who each didn't think they'd find love. One is a man who didn't have any roots, and no place to actually call home. The other is struggling to be a team player. Both learn so much and grow significantly during their time together. 

They have to deal with family issues and homophobia. I really enjoy Dillon and Will as a couple, and am so happy that they are able to find a happy life together.  They each learn so much and change significantly during his time there.

These two men are sweet together, and their story is full of meaningful aspects.
They deal with vastly different ways of life, which they can help improve, but they can't step in and change things for them. They deal with villages that let fear rule their lives, as they aren't educated enough about the diseases they face.

I love A Spirit Without Borders. From the start, the tone is soothing, and the story touching. This Andrew Grey book is a beautiful and inspiration tale.

Pulling Strings by Andrew Grey

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Blurb

Devon Donaldson doesn’t know how a folio of stolen corporate secrets found its way into his bag, and he certainly can’t think of anyone who’d want to frame him. The trouble is, he has to convince Powers McPherson. Devon’s firm hired Powers to investigate the theft of a new banking system, and so far Devon is his only lead. While Powers’s gut tells him Devon is innocent, he has no intention of letting Devon out of his sight…for more than one reason. Working together to get Devon’s life back leads to feelings far beyond cooperation. But before they can act on them, they need to find the group of thieves intent on ruining Devon’s reputation.

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Andrew Grey's Pulling Strings is a fun thriller romance. If you're used to Andrew's books, you'll find this one is different from his other works.

When Devon finds himself innocently caught in a dangerous situation, Powers shows up to protect and help him. What follows is a sweet romance while the two men try to solve a mystery and fight for their lives. 

It doesn't take long for Powers to become personally invested in keeping Devon safe. It's a fun conflict of interest as he's combining business with pleasure. Both men are likeable, and they work really well together. I love how different both are. The author does a great job in developing these two multi-dimensional characters.

Their story includes danger, action, and a whole lot of suspense. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the mystery, and the surprise reveal. It also includes some great side characters, especially Powers' sister who will have you laughing a lot. 

I definitely recommend Pulling Strings to anyone who's looking for romance mixed with intrigue.

Heart Unbroken (Hearts Entwined #4) by Andrew Grey

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Blurb

A Hearts Entwined Novel

Car restorer Dean Milford knows how to make damaged things beautiful again. Only, after a bad breakup, he loses sight of who he is, playing the field and distracting himself with any man he comes across. But now there’s only one guy who really matters to him. And maybe with his latest restoration job—a vintage Cobra—he’ll get the chance to let him know.

Losing his sight wasn’t the worst thing to happen to Lee Studer—losing his independence was. It’s taken a while, but he’s finally found his place in the world—in a garage. Funny enough, his acute hearing allows him to pinpoint engine problems just by listening. And even better, he’s going to have a chance to help his long-time crush, Dean, rebuild his fantasy car.

As the restoration comes together, so do Lee and Dean, building a friendship that quickly turns into so much more. But before they can think about a future together, they have to deal with the past. Only that turns out to be more dangerous than either one ever dreamed….

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

If you've read Andrew Grey's Hearts Entwined series, you'll know just what to expect with Heart Unbroken. This entire series is amazing.

Andrew Grey excels in his writing of characters with physical disabilities. He wonderfully explores their limitations, their abilities, and the way people treat them.

Lee's blind after losing his sight five years ago. In this intriguing world created by Andrew Grey, Lee's a mechanic. Yes, you've read that right. It is one of the most unique things I've ever read, and I love it!

Lee's wonderfully skilled and wants to be independent. His friendship with fellow mechanic Scott is impressive and inspirational. Honestly, you'll never read anything quite like it. You can read Scott's story in Heart Unheard.

When someone starts messing with Lee at work, Dean, a car restorer, is brought into his orbit, as he wants to help the man. I love this age gap in which the older Dean's been attracted to Lee for a while. He knew Lee was too young for him though. Now older, Dean's able to let his feelings be known.

Both men are struggling. Dean's struggling with his self-worth, and Lee's struggling with his lack of independence. Lee's been sheltered by his parents but wants to explore more. His relationship with Dean allows him to find the perfect mix for being careful, yet also being independent. It's beautifully written with a whole lot of heart and compassion. And with Lee's help, Dean's self-confidence has a chance to grow and heal.


My favorite line has to be "Don't let a little fear stop you from doing something you really like."

Their story includes a mystery, sabotage, an overprotective mother, and a whole lot of fun. It's a story of trust and of new experiences. Both men have been victims of rejection and insecurities, and with one another, they struggle to find the strength to risk their heart again. 

Hearts Unbroken is a story of finding someone who makes you want to be better. It's a story of finding someone who's worth living for, as they see past your disability. Andrew Grey is spectacular in this latest Hearts Entwined book, and I recommend this slow burn romance to all.