Pretenders by Alexa Land

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Doctor Wesley Bennett is desperate to find a date for his ex-fiancé’s destination wedding. So desperate, in fact, that he’s decided to hire an escort to pose as his boyfriend.

That’s what he thinks, anyway.

My roommate’s the actual escort, not me. He wasn’t available, so I stepped in. This job was just way too sweet to pass up.

It should be easy. All we have to do is convince everyone Wesley and I are a couple without getting emotionally involved. He’s adorable though, in a nerdy and endearingly awkward kind of way, and the attraction between us is undeniable. I have a feeling things are about to get complicated. And what’s going to happen when the job is over? Can we stop pretending and build something real? Or are a straight-laced pediatrician and a lavender-haired DJ too different to make it work?

Pretenders is a stand-alone, opposites attract gay romance, set in the world of Alexa Land’s best-selling Firsts and Forever Series.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

I am super excited with Pretenders, a return to the First and Forever universe by Alexa Land. This is one of my all time favorite series and this is a fabulous addition to that world. 

I just adore this book. Everything about it is charming, sweet, and easy to fall in love with. 

When Wesley needs a date for his ex's wedding, he hires Ash to be his fake boyfriend. Of course, Wesley thinks Ash is a escort. 

I love the way things develop for these two. They get to know one another and it's all sweet and cute. They are such opposites and yet perfect for one another. 

As for the wedding, well, let's just say that Wesley's ex and his family are easy to dislike.

Of course, we get to revisit with Nana D and her merry crew of gay boys, which is just delightful. I love this crazy lady and all her penises!

Pretenders is a fabulous fake relationship romance. I couldn't put this Alexa Land book down. 

His Assistant (His Chance # 3) by Alexa Land

 

Title: His Assistant

Author: Alexa Land

Series: His Chance Series, Book 3

Release Date: November 28. 2020

Pre-Order: Yes

Genre: Contemporary MM Romance

Main Characters: Phoenix, a personal assistant; Harper, an A-list Actor

Tropes: Boss-Employee; Opposites Attract; Romantic Comedy

Contact Information: AlexaLandWrites@gmail.com

Amazon US - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

I knew going to work for movie star and party boy Harper Royce was a mistake.

It was a bigger mistake to sleep with him, but here we are.

At least this situation is temporary. I’m on the verge of a major breakthrough with my musical career, and then my days of working as a personal assistant are over. As long as I don’t fall for Harper, this should all work out just fine.

If only he wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous, but I can resist a pretty face. When he starts showing me his vulnerable side, though? Well, now I’m in trouble.

This light-hearted, opposites attract gay romance features a spoiled Hollywood A-lister, his long-suffering assistant, and a loopy chicken. It’s set in the world of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever and His Chance Series, but it absolutely can be read as a stand-alone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

His Assistant is a fantastic romance by Alexa Land. The third book in the His Chance series, it's a wonderful addition to the fun. 

This is a tale of a Hollywood actor and his assistant falling in love. Harper and Phoenix are total opposites who need one another to balance their personalities. One's a free spirit while the other's too serious and too rigid. I love the way they mesh and the way their relationship plays out. They are just so damn much fun together. 

There's plenty of issues for the men, Phoenix especially, to deal with. Phoenix's relationship with his twin is a huge factor in his personality. I absolutely love the layers involved between the two and the way their tale carries out. 

And, damn, the financial differences make things tough for Phoenix. He struggles with the rich, entitled people he works with. He struggles with his assumptions and has a major inferiority complex. As well, his stubbornness for independence is his biggest flaw. 

As for Harper, I enjoy the way things unfold for him. He's always been closeted, but with Phoenix he's found the one worth coming out for. It makes for some great scenes. 

In the end, I love the way everything develops for these men. Harper is just the man to help Phoenix in his personal and professional life. And Phoenix is just the man to do the same for Harper. It's all wonderful and I couldn't have asked for anything better.

As usual, I love the writing style. The characters are nicely layered, and the storyline is a great mix of serious, sweet, and funny. Alexa never fails to tell a heartfelt romance in her unique way. 

His Assistant is a beautiful romance. Alexa Land combines charming moments with character growth and humor throughout. It's a perfect addition to her series for me. 

If you haven't yet read an Alexa Land book, you seriously need to start now. Just start with Way Off Plan, book one in the Firsts & Forever series, and enjoy the world that Alexa has created in her three connected series. You won't regret it. I could re-read these books every day if I had time. 

Second Nature (His Chance #2) by Alexa Land

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link 

The last time I saw Gabriel, he was putting me on a bus and sending me to some relatives I’d never met, with the hope of a fresh start after rehab.

That was four years ago.

Now he’s back in my life. I’ve wanted him for years, while he’s always thought of me as just a friend. This is my one shot at turning our friendship into so much more.

But how do I convince him I’m the man he needs, and not the broken boy he used to know?

Second Nature is book two in Alexa Land’s His Chance Series, which is a spinoff of her best-selling Firsts and Forever Series. Firsts and Forever readers will recognize some familiar faces, but this gay romance can be read as a stand-alone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Second Nature is classic Alexa Land. The second book in the His Chance series, Land starts us off on Catalina Island, the setting of her Castaways series, and ends up taking us to San Fransico, where her Firsts and Forever series takes place. 

For this book, Gabriel and Riley get their second chance, after many years of hoping to find one another again. I love these men. They are survivors who clearly belong together. They helped each other in the past and are doing so again. 

Their story includes former prostitution, drugs, a vile Dom, and more. They have to deal with temptation, stubbornness, and pride. And for the good stuff, their tale includes sexy panties, delicious outfits, and a pantry revolution. 

The main characters are fabulous, with complex pasts and a strong connection. They truly deserve a happy ending. And the side characters consist of past characters who made me cheer when they showed up. Yes, I actually cheered out loud. 

My favorite quote has to be "Why not just let people be themselves and be happy? It doesn't cost anything to accept others instead of judging them." If only!

Second Nature is a compelling romance that will keep you satisfied throughout. I love Alexa Land and the heart she infuses into her stories. This one is sure to delight!

Second Act (His Chance #1) by Alexa Land

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

After pursuing my big break in Hollywood for more than a decade, I’ve finally landed the role of a lifetime. The only downside--it happened just as sweet, gorgeous Lorenzo and I were taking the first tentative steps from friendship to so much more. Our brand-new relationship barely had a chance to get off the ground, and now the pressures of my new-found success are coming at us from every angle.

Can I really have it all? Or will chasing fame and fortune end up costing me the man of my dreams?

This age gap, opposites attract gay romance begins the brand new His Chance Series. It’s set in the same world as Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever and Castaways Series, but you don’t need to be familiar with any of those books to enjoy this one.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Second Act is a wonderful romance by Alexa Land. The start of the His Chance series, it is every bit as charming as her other books. 

This book is everything I love about Alexa Land's stories. Will and Lorie are real, flawed, and lovable. The character growth is a huge part of their journey. And the end result is finding love. Real love. Like her past couples, this is a couple the reader firmly believes in, knows belongs together, and has faith they will always be together. 

One of the profound things I take away from this tale is that when we accept that dreams change, one can achieve all their dreams. I love this and completely agree. 

The movie aspect is well done. Just suspend belief on some things and enjoy it the liberties the author takes. It's a romance. Enjoy the romance.


Their story includes family issues and an age gap. It's an angst free read, full of plenty of charm, humor, and romance.

My favorite scene is the scrapbook. So many tears. Just beautiful.  It's truly a beautiful scene.

Second Act is heart-felt and beautiful. And oh, what a wonderful ending! I can't praise this Alexa Land book enough.

Keeping Secrets (Castaways #3) by Alexa Land

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

The truth can cost you everything.

Twenty-six-year-old Beck Medina is convinced of that. He’s been abandoned by so many people over the course of his life, including most of his adopted family. Now he’s created a new family for himself at the resort he manages on Catalina Island. But they don’t know the whole truth about him.

As much as he hates keeping secrets from the people he loves, he knows revealing the truth is a gamble. What if they all walk away from him, like so many others have before?

Then there’s gorgeous, mysterious Lee Speros. The tall, handsome Greek is harboring secrets too, and some of his are deadly. Just as Beck and Lee take the first tentative steps toward becoming a couple, Lee’s dark past finally catches up to him. The fallout threatens to destroy not only the two of them, but everyone they hold dear.

With impossible odds stacked against them, can two stubborn, fiercely independent men learn to accept help not only from each other, but from the people who care about them? And once they reveal all, will the truth set them free? Or will it cost them everything, just like Beck always feared?

This gay romance is book three in Alexa Land’s Castaways Series, but it may be read as a stand-alone. It is intended for a mature audience. 

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Keeping Secrets is another superb book by Alexa Land. The third in her Castaways series, it has everything I love about her writing. Most importantly however, we finally get Beck's story, which is full of heart and emotion. 

Beck's been keeping secrets from his uncle, and it's hurting his ability to move forward with his life. And, damn, his handsome Greek lover, Lee, certainly has some secrets of his own. What starts as a business arrangement gently turns into more for these two. I love how the lines start to blur and both men are falling in love secretly. Yes, more secrets. 

As with every one of Alexa Land's couples, Beck and Lee are perfect together.  Their sexual relationship is hot, and emotionally satisfying, as both men get the control and submission they desire. Simply put, they may be from two different worlds but they are amazing together, both in and out of bed. 

Beck is so damn loveable. His sacrifices for the ranch gut me. He's an amazing young man. The way Lee treats him from the get go had me falling for him immediately.  

My favorite scene has to be when Lee switches things up. Not wanting to give things away, just know this scene is tender, sweet, and extremely emotional.

What I love most about Alexa's books are the continued sense of family. Every book has appearances from past characters, from the Castaways series as well as the First and Forever series. And, damn, the appearance of Dante and Vincent made me so damn giddy. It just doesn't get any better than this, and the way everything ties together. 

Keeping Secrets is a beautiful story of two men trying to make their different worlds mesh. This story of forgiveness and understanding is full of love, romance, and heart. It's classic Alexa Land and I love it!

Starting Over (Castaways #2) by Alexa Land

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Colt Matthews is trying to find his way in the world.

His friends are getting married, finding rewarding careers, and moving forward. Meanwhile, twenty-one-year-old Colt is still trying to figure out who he is and what he wants out of life. About the only thing he knows for sure is that he’s undeniably drawn to his friend Ren, despite their age difference. But what are the chances Ren feels the same way?

Renaldo Medina is trying to get his life back on track.

Ren had everything for a while: a wildly successful company, a famous boyfriend, a life most people would envy. Then it all fell apart and left him reeling, and he’s been stalled out ever since. But when he strikes up an unlikely friendship with a beautiful younger man, Ren starts to feel something he thought he’d lost forever: hope.

Can two lost men find the courage to start over, despite a 20-year age gap and an uncertain future?

Starting Over is a May-December and friends to lovers romance. It is book two in Alexa Land’s Castaways Series. All books in the series may be read as a stand-alone or enjoyed in order. It contains mature content and is intended for adult readers.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Damn! Alexa Land's Starting Over, the second book in her Castaways series, is remarkable.

Omg! I am so excited for Colt to finally get his happily ever after. I loved him long ago, my heart hurt for him, and this is a long time coming. He's grow up a lot over the years, and he's ready to finally find his way in the world.

Working with Ren has been a surprising and welcomed event for Colt. The older man is smitten with Colt, as they've become best friends. I adore the way they relate to one another, despite their age difference. They just get each other, and have so much in common. Playing fake boyfriends for a wedding sets the scene for them to become more than friends.

Initially, Colt feels like his life is standing still, while other's are moving forward. I found myself so sad for him. But, with Ren, he's on his way to regaining his own dreams.

Starting Over's a beautiful tale of finding love again, and finding a future that is promising. Alexa Land perfectly spins this gem about facing one's past, and allowing one to put it in the past. It's riveting, compelling, and a welcome reunion with some of my favorite book boyfriends.

Making Merry (A Firsts and Forever/Castaways Series Holiday Collection) by Alexa Land

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

What do the husband of a stressed out metal sculptor, a graffiti artist, an aging pop star, a young ranch hand, and an aspiring writer have in common?

They each have a story to tell in Making Merry.

Not everything goes according to plan in the quest for that mythical “Perfect Christmas”, but there are a lot of laughs, heartwarming romance, and some big surprises along the way. With the help of family and friends, somehow everything will work itself out – but maybe not in the way anyone was expecting.

These five interconnected holiday stories feature favorite characters from Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series and its new spin-off, The Castaways Series. It’s approximately 50K in length, and while it can be read as a stand-alone, it’ll mean the most to readers familiar with the series.

Review 

My Rating -  5 Stars!

For me, Alexa Land's Making Merry is the perfect Christmas book. 

With Alexa probably being my favorite author, I can't praise this book enough. Not only do we get a wonderful story from the Castaways Series, we also get some fantastic moments of catching up with some of my favorites from the Firsts and Forever Series. 

We get to spend time with Skye and Dare, Christian and Shea, Zan and Gianni, Elijah and Cassidy. There are five short stories, that all entwine. 


And yes Nana Dombruso, you are certifiable!  

This book is the perfect example of why I love Alexa's series. With each story, we are able to revisit past characters, which all feel like family. Spending Christmas with this huge extended group of family and friends, is like spending Christmas with my own family. That is how much we get to know these men and get to care about them. By catching up with past men in each book, these series give a unique feeling that is hard to get with other books/series. It is wonderful, fun, romantic, and always a good laugh.

If you've read Alexa Land's books, do not miss out on this gem! Thank you Alexa for Making Merry!