Silky Smooth (Bold Brew #6) by A.M. Arthur

 

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Falling in love isn’t always smooth sailing.

College drop-out Nicolas Cannon has a secret he’s been hiding for all his adult life. A secret that has left him isolated and mostly friendless—until the day a very friendly parrot flies into his life. In his search to discover the parrot’s owner, Nicolas meets the handsome, enigmatic and much-older Alex Durant. But Nicolas has become fond of Alex’s pet Calamity, and the pair develop an unexpected friendship over their love of the bird.

Alex Durant is a man with money and power, but he’s also haunted by his past with an abusive ex. Calamity saved Alex’s sanity, and he’s surprised at how easily he shares her attention with Nicolas, a young artist who arrests Alex’s attention. As their friendship takes a brand-new, sexy turn, Nicolas discovers Alex also possesses something else he never expected: a shared love of silky underthings. But Nicolas isn’t out to his family, and that decision may test his fledgling relationship with Alex to the breaking point.

Silky Smooth is a stand-alone story in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe, centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional college town. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! My 40k word story features a reclusive artist, a lonely restauranteur, an emotional support parrot, age gap, and satin underwear.

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Silky Smooth is AM Arthur's contribution to the multi-author Bold Brew series. The sixth book in the series, this is a standalone just like the rest of the books. 

Nicolas and Alex's romance is a May to September one, with them coming together over a lost parrot, as Nicolas rescues Alex's missing parrot. The relationship that evolves between the two is kinky, as well as sweet. 

The men are great together. I enjoy the way they each have some pain in their pasts, but together they help one another heal. The fifteen year age gap is there but isn't a huge issue for them.

And of course, their chemistry is hot, with some much aligned kink. Oh how I love romances with silk!

But, dear lord, the parrot is my favorite part of this story. I adore that Calamity's a support animal. Seriously, how cool is that? A parrot who serves as an emotional support animal. Love it. And with all the wonderful things the parrot says, you will easily fall in love with it too. 

Silky Smooth is a quick, kinky read. This AM Arthur book is a great choice when you're in the mood for a short read. 

Uniting Hearts (Discovering Me #3) by A.M. Arthur

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Book One -  Unearthing Cole

Book Two -  Understanding Jeremy

Can their hard-won romance survive a new test of love and devotion?

Cole Alston’s only goal when he returned to his rural hometown was to offload his inherited property and leave. Now, he’s very much in love with Jeremy, and he’s determined to make his own career goals mesh with the life he wants to build here. But an unexpected announcement from Jeremy throws Cole’s carefully ordered life completely off track.
Adjusting to their new normal isn’t easy, but Jeremy Collins is determined to make things work. To build the life he’s always wanted with Cole by his side. Reality doesn’t always place nice with dreams, though, and it will take both men’s strength and love to truly unite as a family.

This is a brand-new conclusion to the Discovering Me trilogy. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Uniting Hearts is the third book in AM Arthur's Discovering Me series. It's a fantastic ending for these two men who I have come to love. I am thrilled to finally get to read this long awaited series wrap-up.

I love these men and their story. Their love is real, and they fight hard to get their happy life. 

This book starts off with Bethann in labor, leading to some ups and downs for these men. 

It's been a while, but Cole is still influenced by his past, which includes abuse by an ex and neglect due to his parents being hoarders. 

The author explores personal growth, trust issues, and the power of making one's own choices. And it's wonderful. Everything is intriguing as Cole still suffers from PTSD, Bethann is still getting between the men, and more.

Told in alternating 1st person pov, the reader gets to understand what both men are thinking throughout. AM Arthur is a long time author in the world of m/m romance, and she once again leaves me happily satisfied with another wonderful series.

Uniting Hearts is a fabulous conclusion to the Discovering Me series. I definitely recommend these three books to anyone looking for a heart-felt series that features the same couple throughout.

Understanding Jeremy (Discovering Me #2) by A.M. Arthur

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No one in Jeremy Collins's life ever stays. His parents, sister, and wife are all dead. Now he has taken Cole Alston into his home to help him recover from years of abuse at the hands of his ex. Jeremy hopes Cole, who he loves, will stick around, but after eight years of Cole not being allowed to make his own choices, Jeremy doesn't think he has the right to ask. As Jeremy keeps his concerns and desires to himself, his best friend Bethann calls on him for a huge favor--claim he's the father of her baby so she isn't ostracized in their small town for sleeping with a married man. However doing so would be tantamount to denying his relationship with Cole. Rumors fly before Jeremy can explain to Cole that he said no, and suddenly the whole town is in his business. Rather than reassure Cole, Jeremy's explanations have the opposite effect. Something is going on in Cole's mind that Jeremy doesn't know about, and in order to get Cole to talk, Jeremy will need to confront his own deepest fear.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Understanding Jeremy is the second book in AM Arthur's Discovering Me series. If you've read Unearthing Cole, this book will help bring about some satisfaction after a HFN ending. 

Personally, I couldn't read it fast enough. Cole and Jeremy continue to grow closer, but still have some issues from their past to deal with. These are two men with some heavy baggage to say the least.

Words cannot express how mad I am at Bethann. I wanted to claw her eyes out for her selfish mistakes, and for being a stereotypical annoying female character. She is an ass for sticking Jeremy in the middle between Cole and herself.

This is a story of small town life at it's finest. Jeremy and Cole are still in a secret relationship, rumors spread like wildfire, and the gossip lines know no end. 

One major issue addressed in this book is that of abuse and it's lingering effects. I appreciate the way the author represents this aspect of the character, from big things to little things. It's all written with a whole lot of knowledge and care.

I love the author's writing style and her ability to dive into some heavy topics without regret. When an issue is introduced, she spares no expense in exploring it fully.

And in the end, Understanding Jeremy is a sweet romance that's entwined with plenty of angst and emotion. For me though, I find it to be a good bridge between books one and three more than anything else. It builds upon their relationship, allows both men to heal some more, and sets up the scene for Uniting Hearts.

Unearthing Cole (Discovering Me #1) by A.M. Arthur

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Cole Alston swore he’d never return to his childhood home in rural North Carolina, but when his mother dies, he inherits her hoarded property. He hopes to sell everything and use the money to start over in Canada, far away from his abusive ex-boyfriend. It’s a daunting task, and Cole has no idea where to start. Luckily for him, the local antique store owner, Jeremy Collins, volunteers his services in sorting the hoard. Their professional relationship soon evolves into a personal one, but Cole must overcome his past and his anxiety before he can accept a new man in his life or the possibility of a happy future.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Unearthing Cole is book one in AM Arthur's Discovering Me series. It was originally published in 2013, but is now being re-released with no new content. 

This book explores abuse and hoarding, so be warned if these are triggers for you. 

Jeremy and Cole meet while Cole is in town dealing with his mother's house. The connection and attraction between Cole and Jeremy is strong, yet Cole is only in town for a short time. 

This is a story with some fascinating characters and their many layers of issues. Cole has to deal with his parent's lifetime of hoarding. I find this aspect to be extremely well explored. Not only does he have to physically deal with all their junk, but also the mental effects of their hoarding upon himself. I truly love the manner is which the author demonstrates this issue, including the way he easily fell prey to an abuser.

As well, the effects of his being abused are well illustrated. Cole is a man who's running from his ex, as well as his past. He has to deal with a lifetime of shame and feeling unloved. It's a lot to deal with, but the author does a great weaving it all together.

Then there's Jeremy, a small town man who helps Cole get his mom's property ready to sell. They fall into a casual relationship quickly, and soon the attraction is front and center. Jeremy himself, is also a wounded soul, yet not as effected by his past as Cole. 

This is a story that heavily explores shame and it's long lasting effects. It's also a story of dealing with one's past and coming out better on the other side. 

On top of all the heavy issues, the story is a slow burn romance which is well done. There is plenty of attraction and chemistry to keep things a little lighter. The healing process is written with care and compassion, never feeling rushed. 

I do need to say I was disappointed by a couple of things, but I don't really want to give any spoilers here. Overall, I am thrilled to have discovered this book. 

Unearthing Cole is a wonderfully written slow burn romance. AM Arthur manages to tackle some extremely heavy issues, all without overwhelming the reader much in the end. I was left wanting more of these men, which is always a good thing. Luckily for me, there are two more books in the series coming soon. 

Waiting for You (Neighborhood Shindig #3) by A.M. Arthur

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Blurb

Clancy Jons never expected to fall in love while attending Reynolds College, never mind falling in love with a man, but he did. Clancy fell hard and fast, but his strict, Catholic upbringing and personal insecurities pushed Samir away—and out of the state. Four years later, Clancy accepts a job as the general manager of Neighborhood Shindig—a trendy local place full of food trucks and small businesses—and it brings him face to face with Samir again.

Samir Ford left Reynolds for Philadelphia to start over after Clancy refused to come out and broke his heart, but now Samir is back to help his beloved aunt after a serious stroke. His food truck in Neighborhood Shindig is thriving, and he’s creating new friendships there, but he’s never truly gotten over his first love. A first love who strolls back into his life as Samir’s brand-new boss. A super-hot boss Samir still has feelings for.

After an unexpected, sizzling-hot encounter, both men know they still love each other, but there’s been too much hurt. Too many broken promises. Clancy is a changed man, though, and he vows to prove himself to Samir and earn back his lover’s trust—even if it means coming out to and losing his family’s love. But Samir’s heart is still bruised and wary, and he isn’t sure he can risk it being shattered a second time.

Welcome to Neighborhood Shindig, a friendly place where you can snack on a lamb kebab while getting your hair done, pick up your favorite herbal tea blend, and then go listen to live music under the pavilion. We’re happy to have you. 

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

AM Arthur's third book in the Neighborhood Shindig series, Waiting For You, is a great second chance romance.

Ex boyfriends, Shamir and Clancy  are now both working at the Neighborhood Shindig. Their breakup was ugly, as Shamir refused to live in the closet, and Clancy refused to go against his family and live out of the closet. 

Now, after years of pain and hurt, they are reunited. Clancy's partially blind after an accident that ultimately taught him a lot of lessons. With a fresh start for Clancy, the two men discover how much they've changed and grown over the years. 

It's a beautiful story of trying of overcome obstacles, as both men still love one another. Now they need to figure out how to be together. Their story consists of explanations and a whole lot of faith and trust.


Waiting for You is a wonderful tale of the time that's wasted when one's living a lie. This Neighborhood Shindig series is a great one by AM Arthur. Full of a great group of characters, I can't wait to see who finds love next.

Burning For You (Neighborhood Shindig #2) by A.M. Arthur

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Blurb

Bran Foxwell has crushed on Joel Fisher from afar for years, and now that Joel is happily in love with another guy, Bran has lost his chance. But when uber-sexy Keenan Pratt stumbles over an upset Bran, it’s the perfect opportunity for a no-strings hookup. Except sex with Keenan is hotter and more intense than Bran ever imagined, and despite their no-strings agreement, both men agree to an actual date.

As the middle triplet, Keenan Pratt is devoted to his brothers and they’ve spent the last ten years supporting and protecting each other. When Keenan has the chance to screw around with his own long-time crush Bran, it’s an itch he can’t wait to scratch. But there’s chemistry there neither of them expects and, slowly but surely, what should have been a single hookup turns into more.

But when their family is targeted, the Pratt brothers circle the wagons hard, and Keenan pulls away from Bran exactly when he should be leaning on the other man. Bran wants to be there for Keenan, but old habits run deep and if Keenan can’t learn to trust, he risks losing the best relationship he’s ever had.

Welcome to Neighborhood Shindig, a friendly place where you can snack on a lamb kebab while getting your hair done, pick up your favorite herbal tea blend, and then go listen to live music under the pavilion. We’re happy to have you. 

Review 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Damn! AM Arthur's Burning For You is a fun romance that starts with a super hot hookup.

After a hook up with his long time crush, Keenan's confused and frustrated that Bran doesn't want more. Their journey from friends to lovers isn't without it's complications, but most of it is from outside sources, as opposed to relationship drama. 

I enjoy the romance in this one, but am not a big fan of all the food talk. It's well done, just not something I care to read. That said, the food talk is important, as Keenan and Bran bond over food and their careers. As a result, this is a slow burn romance that takes some time to build the connection. 

Their story includes some horrific homophobia and bigotry, as well as transphobia. Jayden's a bi-trans man who's a secondary character. The transphobia that he faces is sad and poignant. Jayden deserves a happy ending which I hope we get soon.


Written in dual pov, we get good insight into both characters and their feelings. Though a second book in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. 

Burning For You is a beautiful romance, centering around a theme of family, love, and support. AM Arthur's food truck series, Neighborhood Shindig, is an entertaining and fun series with the promise of many book stories to come. 

Heart of Us (Us #4) by A.M. Arthur

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Blurb

Charles “Chet” Greenwood has everything he’s ever wanted: a home, a stable business, and strong, loving relationships with his two boyfriends. In the year since he’s been with Cris and Jake, they’ve always agreed on one thing to keep their triad strong: communication is key. Which is why it hurts that lately Jake seems to be hiding something. Before Chet and Cris can find out what, a tragic phone call forces Chet and his nephew Dell to return to their Georgia hometown for a funeral—and to finally confront the bigoted family they left behind.

Jake Bowden never imagined he’d go from an exotic dancer to a professional cook in the space of a year, but here he is. He’s also secretly looking at top culinary schools, but the requirements are way beyond Jake’s abilities. And going to school could take him away from his boyfriends—which might actually be for the best. Chet and Cris have so much history together, are always in sync, and when Jake can’t get time off to support Chet, he feels even more like the odd man out.

Cris Sable knows something is going on with Jake, and he hates leaving Jake behind for two days to attend a funeral, but Chet and Dell need his support—especially with Dell’s own boyfriend unable to make the trip. Cris checks in with Jake constantly while they’re away, and even after their trio returns home, Cris knows something is still wrong. But it gets lost in the aftermath of an unbelievable secret reveal.

While in Georgia, Chet received shocking news about his own past that will change everything about his future, and it rocks their triad to its core. But Cris loves and believes in his men, and he will do everything in his power to keep their three hearts beating as one.

AUTHOR NOTE: This is an m/m/m romance with kinky three-way sex between consenting adults. The “Us” series is best read in numerical order.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

AM Arthur is one of my go-to authors. So many series that I have loved! And her Us Series is no different. Heart Of Us, book 4 in the series, is superb.

Chet, Christian and Jake. Sigh. This book centers mostly around Jake and his struggles with self-doubts and insecurities. I love this menage and the way they all support each other, especially when it's needed. A surprise loss ends up shaking their world, and they have to face the changes coming their way.

The sex scenes between Chet, Christian and Jake are amazing, as they are passionate, loving, and also kinky. And yes, we even get a fisting scene! Honestly, it doesn't get better than Chet and Christian fulfilling Jake's fantasy for him.

Dell and Taro also have some great moments in this book. They are facing some tough times, but they are doing it together. Dell's growth has been amazing, and it's so wonderful to see.  

I love this series. I love AM Arthur. And I love Heart of Us. It's fantastic how so many of her stories entwine and her writing style is always riveting, marvelous , and memorable.