Bad Boy (Masters of Romance #1) by Emma Alcott

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
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Russ
They call me a bad boy, and thirteen years ago they would have been right.
I’ve done things I’m not proud of.
Served time.
Broken hearts and bones alike.
But I’m a changed man now. I don’t break the law for a living anymore; I write books about guys like me who fall in love with other guys. It’s as close to a happily ever after as I think I’ll get…
Until Colton shows up in my remote cabin in the middle of a snowstorm, so timid and young and sweet.
I’ve given up my wicked ways, but damn if he doesn’t make me want to do bad, bad things…

Colton
I didn’t mean to get lost on my way to the big New Year’s Eve party, and I definitely didn’t mean to drive my car into a snowbank, but here I am in the middle of nowhere, stranded in front of a creepy cabin, about to freeze to death.
The only way I’ll make it through the night is if I go inside, but there’s no telling who might be in there. It very well could be a serial killer, or a horror movie monster…
Or a bearded, tattooed bad boy with a big secret who’ll steal my heart and make me never want to leave.

Bad Boy is the first book in the Masters of Romance series, where romance authors don’t just write about happily ever afters—they live them. Get ready for love, laughter, and some serious steam. No cheating and no love triangles, guaranteed. Bad Boy can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s way more fun to binge them all. Which author are you most excited to see get his HEA? 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Bad Boy is a beautiful hurt/comfort romance by Emma Alcott. The first book in the Masters of Romance series, it follows the short prequal, Side Character.

Colton and Russ's story starts with a snowstorm, with Colton stumbling upon Russ's hideaway for shelter. 

They certainly don't wait long to get into bed together. And damn, they are hot! 

It's after the sex that things get emotional between the two. And I love it all. 

Russ and Colton are simply fabulous together. Their chemistry is intense and their connection is absolute.

Russ's past is haunting and his inability to reform his imagine is heartbreaking. But with Colton, he finds a reason to try. Not that things are easy for him. 

As for Colton, his past is tough to read, as his ex mentally abused him. 

I love the dynamics in this story. The fact that Colton's "family" doesn't approve of Russ and try to warn Colton away from the man, adds a great layer of angst to the tale. The fact that Colton trusts Russ and fights for him is a bonus. 

This is a story with assumptions and grudges. It's a story with some mystery and a fight to clear one's reputation. 

It's a story of learning to stand up for oneself, and finding strength in love. 

It's a story of overcoming the life one was born into, and fighting to be a better person, as well as building a better version of oneself. 

I adore the writing group Russ is a part of. The banter between them is as great as the support they offer one another. I am excited to see the rest of them find love. 

I love the author's writing. Written in alternating first person pov, both men fully come to life. 

Bad Boy is a riveting romance with lots of emotion. This Emma Alcott tale is a great mix of forced proximity, intense attraction, and hurt/comfort. I love it all and can't recommend it enough. And the ending is adorable!

Side Character: A Masters of Romance Prequel by Emma Alcott

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Sawyer Jonathan Aston has an extremely suckable… ahem. We’re talking eight inches of girthy perfection. Two-thirds of a foot of succulent man-meat. A true cornucopia of carnal delights.

And tonight, that ahem is going to make my mouth feel like a Tokyo subway car at rush hour. We’re talking crowded. Crammed. Absolutely stuffed. And if I’m lucky, a few stops later we’ll both get off at the same time and head home together to see what kind of trouble we can get up to when bed is our final destination.

But you know what they say about the best-laid plans...

It's a good thing I'm resourceful, because come what may, I'm not going to stop until I make Sawyer mine.

Side Character is a stand-alone short story set in the Masters of Romance universe. While there are no authors in this one, there is a sassy best friend who messes things up spectacularly, but still manages to land the man of his dreams. Get ready for love, laughter, and some serious steam. No cheating and no love triangles, guaranteed.

Please take note: Side Character was originally part of the Winter Wonderland giveaway under the title D***** Down on New Year's Eve. The story remains the same—only the title and cover have changed.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Side Character is a delightful short story by Emma Alcott. 

Gavin and Sawyer's story all starts at a party. And I love it all. 

Their night is full of humor, tenderness, booze, and so much fluff. It's wonderful. 

Yes, there's some heat, but it's the sweetness of these men that had me swooning. This is perfect the next time you want a short and sweet romance. 

Side Character includes one evening, some confessed feelings, hot sex, and a happy for now ending. Best of all, it's a fabulous lead in to the next Emma Alcott book, Bad Boy. 

During the Flight (Small Town Hearts #3) by Emma Alcott

Amazon Link - Available in KU
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They say joining the Army changes a man... too bad Chris never got the memo.

Sure, his battle-sculpted body and brooding blue eyes are hotter than asphalt in summer, but he's still every bit the jerk he was before leaving their small town for the military years ago. Pompous. Arrogant. Cocky as hell… and constantly on Warren’s mind.

It should be easy to ignore him. Straight single dads aren't worth pining over, and straight a*holes even less. If only Warren could stop dreaming about the way it would feel if Chris were to grab him by the hair, rake his teeth down his neck, and—well, you get the point.

The problem is, Warren’s fantasies aren’t likely to dry up, because something about Chris did change while he was away… and the glint of desire in his eyes when he argues with Warren now? There’s nothing straight about that.

During the Flight is the hot and hilarious third book in the Small Town Hearts series, but no knowledge of previous books is needed to fall in love with this one. 

My Rating - Stars!

During the Flight is another amazing romance by Emma Alcott. The third book in the Small Town Hearts series, it is easily read as a standalone.

Chris and Warren are two men who hate one another. It's been ten years since they've seen each other, but the anger is still real. Now put in the position to see one another again, commence the fun. 

This story is classic small town fun, with plenty of secondary characters who contribute to the story. The two most prominent are Libby and Jack. I enjoy the presence of Libby, who is caught in the middle of the two men, having ties to both. And then there's Jack. Oh, how I love Jack. Every moment with him is precious. I know some don't like children in their tales, but Jack is adorable, as he tries to help his dad make a friend.

This is a story revolving around the aspect that people change. One can't argue that "...time changes people." 

It involves incredible pent up anger and frustration, tension and rage, and a whole hell of a lot of hate sex. If you enjoy relationships that develop through hot hate sex, you will love this book. That said, if hate/revenge sex is a hard no for you, run far, far away from this story.

I love Chris's evolution. When we meet him, he's just a man who's looking out for his son's best interests. Later on, he finds  love and people who care for him. He finds a family. 

 

It's no surprise that the writing is fabulous. The author is consistent is developing compelling characters and taking them on a riveting journey. She also throws in some twists and turns that are gut wrenching. 

During the Flight is enemies to lovers at it's finest. I love every moment of this Emma Alcott tale and I couldn't devour it fast enough.

Before the Call: A Small Town Hearts Novel by Emma Alcott

Amazon Link - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Rule #1 Don’t fall for the ridiculously hot straight guy
Rule #2 Especially not if he’s your best friend
Rule #3 Extra-especially not when you’re supposed to be his private tutor
Rule #4 Oh, god, but those eyes
Rule #5 Okay, maybe eyes are fine if you don’t look south
Rule #6 Don’t look south
Rule #7 You looked south, didn’t you?
Rule #8 Are you even listening?

Gabe Mitchell isn’t listening. What’s worse, ever since he moved back to the small town he thought he’d left for good, he’s turned into a habitual rule breaker.

Falling for his straight best friend, Clark Summers? Check.
Falling for his straight best friend, Clark Summers, who also happens to be his newest mature student? Check.
And don’t you dare get him started about what’s going on down south, because Gabe doesn’t need to check that to know he’s in deep.

It’s a good thing Clark’s missed him these last four years, and a better thing that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to have Gabe back in his life, because rules are about to be broken. All of them. And Clark’s only rule? The one about being straight? It might just end up broken, too.

Before the Call is the second book in the Small Town Hearts series, which features heroes scattered across the rural United States who find love where they’re least expecting it. In addition to friendship that turns red-hot, you can expect to find generous servings of vanilla ice cream that are anything but vanilla, interesting “tutoring” techniques, a nerd who’s head over heels for the best friend he can’t have, and a jock who loves his Dork even after years apart.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!


Wow, Before the Call is another impressive book by Emma Alcott.

A small town romance, it's a beautiful story where long held secret feelings are slowly realized. A combination of best friends, friends to lovers, jock/nerd, and small town, this book has a lot of emotion. 


Gabe and Clark have been apart for four years, with the years of separation not treating them well. It took me a while to understand the way everyone's connected, but when it's all unveiled, it's great. 

Gabe is back in town as a last resort. Growing up gay in a small town has shaped his character and his pain. Meanwhile Clark has always remained in town, helping to raise his siblings. Both the men and their stories are multi-layered. And it's absolutely riveting. 

Their story is one of re-evaluating oneself; trying to figure out who they really are. It's full of confusion, homophobia, and a whole lot of family issues. And it's full of beautiful and tender first times, as Clark has never been with a man before. 


The writing is stellar, with a multi-layered and fluid storyline. The author is a master of written dialogue. Written with alternating povs, the characters are well developed, fully coming alive. The small town love and support, as well as the quick manner in which rumors fly, is well alive and represented.

I love Before The Call. I love both men, and I absolutely adore the ending. This Emma Alcott read is a sweet, feel good story that will not disappoint. 

After the Crash: A Small Town Hearts Novel by Emma Alcott

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Rule #1 Straight military men will always be straight, no matter how much you wish otherwise
Rule #2 Being a billionaire won't change that (probably)
Rule #3 The whole thing between you when you were in high school? It was only fantasy
Rule #4 One-sided fantasy
Rule #5 God, how great would it be if it was a two-sided fantasy?
Rule #6 Okay, getting off track
Rule #7 Hiring your hot high school crush is totally okay
Rule #8 If you don't let your feelings get in the way, everything will be fine

Marshall Lloyd is about to be very not fine. Not only is his high school crush back in his life, but he's matured into a gruff, brooding, drop-dead-gorgeous specimen of a man that makes Marshall's wet dreams seem about as exciting as drying paint. The only problem: Fox Fraser, the individual in question, is straight.

Super straight.

The kind of straight that would make a ruler jealous.

But if what Marshall sees when he looks in Fox's eyes is to be believed, he's broken, too. There are scars inside of him that no one notices. No one but Marshall. It's not wrong to want to help him, is it? To hire him to take care of things around the house so he can get back on his feet? It's just work. Work that leads to lingering looks. To prolonged touches. To... mmph. It's better not to think about it. Marshall's fantasies aren't real. A guy like Fox would never pin him to a wall and do things to him like that.

Maybe.

Probably.

Right?

After the Crash is the first book in the Small Town Hearts series, which features heroes scattered across the rural United States who find love where they're least expecting it. In addition to explosive chemistry, you can expect sneezing bushes, tea that tastes like hay, and a wet wrestling match that's just boys having fun, Mom.Rule #1 Straight military men will always be straight, no matter how much you wish otherwise
Rule #2 Being a billionaire won’t change that (probably)
Rule #3 The whole thing between you when you were in high school? It was only fantasy
Rule #4 One-sided fantasy
Rule #5 God, how great would it be if it was a two-sided fantasy?
Rule #6 Okay, getting off track
Rule #7 Hiring your hot high school crush is totally okay
Rule #8 If you don’t let your feelings get in the way, everything will be fine

Marshall Lloyd is about to be very not fine. Not only is his high school crush back in his life, but he’s matured into a gruff, brooding, drop-dead-gorgeous specimen of a man that makes Marshall’s wet dreams seem about as exciting as drying paint. The only problem: Fox Fraser, the individual in question, is straight.

Super straight.

The kind of straight that would make a ruler jealous.

But if what Marshall sees when he looks in Fox’s eyes is to be believed, he’s broken, too. There are scars inside of him that no one notices. No one but Marshall. It’s not wrong to want to help him, is it? To hire him to take care of things around the house so he can get back on his feet? It’s just work. Work that leads to lingering looks. To prolonged touches. To… mmph. It’s better not to think about it. Marshall’s fantasies aren’t real. A guy like Fox would never pin him to a wall and do things to him like that.

Maybe.

Probably.

Right?

After the Crash is the first book in the Small Town Hearts series, which features heroes scattered across the rural United States who find love where they’re least expecting it. In addition to explosive chemistry, you can expect sneezing bushes, tea that tastes like hay, and a wet wrestling match that's just boys having fun, Mom.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

After the Crash is a stunning small town romance. This Emma Alcott read is small town living at it's finest, with rumors that spread like wildfire. And, damn, I love the way in which the rumors are dealt.

Marshall's back in town after years away. Growing up bullied at school, now he's rich and famous. Meanwhile, Fox is the one man who stood up for Marshall back in high school, but they were never friends. Now, Marshall's the one who's able to help Fox. Cue the feelings. 

Omg, the way they meet again is full of emotion and downright touching. The resulting new relationship between Marshall and Fox is adorable and full of emotion. Their story is one of dealing with a lot of homophobia, including from one's family. There are family issues galore, resulting in a toxic home environment for Fox.

Omg, Fox. Dear sweet Fox. He's such a broken man, riddled with PTSD and anxiety after an accident. His PTSD is written in an excellent manner, with understanding and compassion. It is definitely a tough read at times that had me in tears. If PTSD is a trigger for you, be sure to avoid this one. 

Their story is one of finding someone to be there for you, finding someone who supports you. The writing is fantastic, with two complex characters and an inspirational storyline. In addition to all the hurt and pain, the author includes a whole lot of charm, banter, chemistry, and love.

Add in teenage Sam, who adds so much charm and heart to the story. Not only do both men see themselves in the young teen, but Sam also adds humor. I love this addition to the story and the way his story resonates so much with Marshall and Fox.

After the Crash is a beautiful reminder that love is worth a whole lot more than any amount of money. Emma Alcott brings out of the feels with this sweet tale. Basically, read this book and enjoy!