Small City Heart by Erin McLellan

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Patrick Pearl’s career is in shambles, and his love life is in even worse shape. The last place he wants to be is his horrid hometown’s biggest shindig and high school reunion, but he’s decided to stomach it for a chance to see his mom.

After years away, Patrick doesn’t anticipate the longing that hits him the moment he sees his hometown’s hills, the same pull that has him itching for his camera. But Patrick’s biggest shock of all is Charlie North—Small City’s golden boy and resident firefighting hunk.

Charlie has had a crush on Patrick Pearl since they were fifteen, but avoided him like the plague in high school, intimidated by Patrick’s courage to be different. Now that they’re all grown up, Charlie isn’t going to let Patrick slip through his fingers, much to Patrick’s surprise.

If Patrick has to withstand the torture of the Small City Alumni Weekend, then he might as well bang the hottest, most popular guy from his graduating class, right? It’s not like there are hearts involved. What could possibly go wrong?

Warning: This novella contains a lot of blackberry cobbler, a hometown hunk who didn’t have the good grace to peak in high school, a millennial hot mess that does not have his shit together, and super sweet small-town charm.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Small City Heart is a sweet small town novella by Erin McLellan. 

Two men are reunited when Patrick returns home for a high school reunion. Patrick is surprised by the former stud Charlie asking him out, making for a fun read. Their relationship is great in it's development, it's natural and perfectly charming. And of course, the two are steamy together. 

The small town factor is well explored, as Patrick never wanted to live in this small town again. And as with many small town romances, in Charlie, he finds something worth reconsidering this for. 

I appreciate the openness of the two, as things have changed over the years. I enjoy the factors that shape Patrick's development. He isn't just affected by his feelings for Charlie, but also by the other people who have accepted him in town. It's all well done, intriguing, and highly emotional. 

I love the way Charlie has changed, as he went from a closeted high school boy to an out and proud adult man. He crushed on Patrick on high school, but certainly wasn't about to out himself then. 

The writing is great. Written in alternating 3rd person pov, the characters are well developed and fully come to life. Their relationship is one with comfort and ease, as the two men fully complement one another. The author excels in bringing Patrick's photographer skills, his photos and talent to life. 

Small City Heart is a short, fast story that's full of sugary sweetness. This Erin McLellan novella is a story of love, acceptance, and family. It's a perfect quick, sweet read.

Candy Hearts (So Over The Holidays #2) by Erin McLellan

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Blurb

Mechanic Benji Holiday is so over Valentine’s Day and men who don’t get him. A weekend getaway with friends to escape the holiday hubbub is exactly what he needs. But William O’Dare—a stern and silent nightclub owner with “Be My Valentine” practically stamped on his forehead—throws a wrench into Benji’s plans.

William has spent years focused on his career, and it has cost him friendships and love. Inexperienced in the business of romance, he’s on the hunt for the perfect partner, and he’s armed with specific criteria to guide him. But William didn’t expect a hunky mechanic wrapped in satin and lace to show up on his doorstep.

Unable to resist their attraction, Benji and William agree to be secret fake valentines for the weekend, but secrets have a way of getting out. William gets struck by Cupid’s arrow, and as the weekend winds down, he doesn’t want fake or secret. He wants Benji to be his valentine for real and for keeps.

Candy Hearts is a male/male Valentine’s Day novella featuring a house party power outage, meddling friends and siblings, naughty lingerie and naughtier toys, homemade Valentine's Day cards, and a happily ever after.

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Erin McLellan's Candy Hearts, the second book in the So Over The Holidays series, is a super fun Valentine's Day romance. 

With an Anti-Valentine's Day weekend planned at William's place, Benji is surprised to find there's no power and the party's postponed. Suddenly William is thrown off this game by Benji and the sparks fly. 

Ahh...the come-ons. "Oh sweetheart, I'd do more than entertain you. If you'd let me." What starts as some hot hook-ups to pass the time eventually turns to more. 

Their story involves a romantic setting, an enjoyable and easy storyline, and plenty of steam. The men have a strong chemistry and are hot together while exploring some spicy things. And yes, there is lace, as well as sex toys! But best of all are the reasons Benji, the hot mechanic, wears his pink lace!

The writing is great, with just the right amount of depth to the characters. The storyline is enjoyable, and the dialogue great. I definitely enjoy the way the men come together as their feelings develop. 

Candy Hearts is a the perfect read when you're in the mood for a fluffy Valentine's Day romance. Erin McLellan mixes some humor with intense need and want into this delightful age gap romance.

Natural Disaster (Storm Chasers #1) by Erin McLellan

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Blurb

When two tornado chasers form a reluctant team, the pressure between them builds...

Human-interest reporter--and son of a famous storm chaser--Guthrie Gale wants nothing to do with severe weather. But his station's director insists he join the storm chasing team, or else, and worse yet, she pairs him with hotshot rookie chaser Luke Masters.

All Luke wants is to be a part of the KTTY family, and he won't let prickly Guthrie Gale spoil his chance. Little does he realize Guthrie's anxiety around storms is more than justified.

As Oklahoma's unpredictable tornado season picks up, Guthrie and Luke strike up a turbulent working relationship that shifts between lust and bickering. But when they are forced to outrun a dangerous twister, their trust is tested and the desire between them flashes quick as lightning, threatening to burn more than just their careers.

When two tornado chasers form a reluctant team, the pressure between them builds….

Human-interest reporter—and son of a famous storm chaser—Guthrie Gale wants nothing to do with severe weather. But his station’s director insists he join the storm chasing team, or else, and worse yet, she pairs him with hotshot rookie chaser Luke Masters.

All Luke wants is to be a part of the KTTY family, and he won’t let prickly Guthrie Gale spoil his chance. Little does he realize Guthrie’s anxiety around storms is more than justified.

As Oklahoma’s unpredictable tornado season picks up, Guthrie and Luke strike up a turbulent working relationship that shifts between lust and bickering. But when they are forced to outrun a dangerous twister, their trust is tested and the desire between them flashes quick as lightning, threatening to burn more than just their careers.

Review 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Natural Disaster is the first book in the Storm Chaser series by Erin McLellan. For me, this one got off to a slow start, but picked up and left me satisfied. 

Guthrie and Luke are two sweet, yet troubled men. Their adventures are tension filled and dangerous as they work together chasing tornadoes. Yes, think a gay version of the movie Twister, with more focus on the character development than the storms.

At the heart of this tale, it's about a man who's terrified to commit and trust in a relationship. It's a good romance with interesting conflict and some compelling character growth.

My first storm chaser read, I am happy to have read Natural Disaster. This Erin McLellan book is good when you're looking for a sweet, quick read.

Clean Break (Farm College #2) by Erin McLellan

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Blurb

Connor’s To-Do List:
• Learn to accept my future on the family farm
• Be social, to a degree
• Make a secret bucket list
• Have a real conversation with Travis Bradford

Travis’s To-Do List:
• Get into my top law school
• Get the hell out of Elkville, Oklahoma
• Stay focused on my dreams and goals—no crushes, no distractions
• Get spanked by hot and perfectly fussy farm boy, Connor Blume

Travis and Connor do not like each other, but after being paired together in Entomology 101, their mutual hostility explodes into secret after-class hookups and unexpected feelings. With graduation looming near and their careers taking them in different directions, they’ll have to decide if a future together is worth adjusting their to-do lists and letting go of their carefully laid plans.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Erin McLellan's Clean Break is the second in the Farm College series. After loving book one, Controlled Burn, I was super excited to dive into this one.

And I love it! Travis and Connor are two complicated young men who are struggling with their feelings, their futures, and a major case of OCD.

Travis and Connor start as acquaintances who have some animosity between them. As they work together in class, they decide to pursue their mutual attraction. 

Connor's struggling with his future, as he's been destined to run his family farm since birth. Never given a choice in the matter, he's unable to pursue his own dreams. 

As for the relationship, they start off as make-out buddies, and as time goes on, it evolves to more, for both their bodies, minds, and hearts. Unfortunately their futures don't mesh. 

I enjoy the author's writing style, as well as her storylines, which take place in that all too important time in our lives, college to adulthood. I love the writing style, as well as the flow and tone.

Clean Break is an amazing tale with a whole lot of sexual tension and attraction. It's an emotional ride as they progress from make out buddies to more. And there's some kink involved, with a spectacular spanking scene.

Their relationship consists of lots of awkward moments, which are superbly written and very naturally fit. They have to deal with fears, doubts, and insecurities, as well as boundaries and mental issues. They struggle with secrecy and sneaking around. 

The OCD is superbly written, with a whole lot of knowledge, compassion, and care. I could the pain and suffering in every fiber of my being, as one of the men struggles with his obsessions. Knowing people who suffer immensely from this, my heart broke for him.  

One of my favorite lines is "...my invisible backpack feels a lot lighter around you." Cue swooning!  

Clean Break is a beautiful story of dealing with one's predestined gals aren't in alignment with ones own dreams. 

Controlled Burn (Farm College #1) by Erin McLellan

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Blurb

At eighteen, Joel Smith’s life fell to pieces. His boyfriend died in a car crash while reading a sext from him, the local newspaper outed them both in the aftermath, and his parents got a divorce. Joel did everything possible to outrun his past: he moved to Oklahoma for college, legally changed his name, and started over.

Since then, he hasn’t let anyone get close—not his classmates, not his roommate, and definitely not his hookups. The strategy has served him well for over three years. Why would he change it now?

But Joel doesn’t plan on the articles about his boyfriend’s death being used as a case study in one of his classes. And he doesn’t plan on Paulie McPherson, who is sweet and giving and fun. In Paulie, he finds a home for the first time in years.

But love isn’t simple, and lies have a tendency to get in the way. Joel must figure out if he’ll allow his grief to rule him, or if his connection with Paulie is worth letting all of his walls come tumbling down. 

REVIEW

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Controlled Burn is a gripping and tragic tale that's told is a beautiful manner, ending with the reader fully satisfied.

Grief, and it's effects, are at the root of this tale of two young men who meet and fall in love. Joel lost his boyfriend, Diego, years ago and is still completely grieving, drowning in his guilt as a result. 

When he meets Paulie, he is taken in by this sweet and loving young man. But, throughout, he keeps him at arms length, too guilty of being without someone other than his deceased ex, as well as being unable to allow himself to move on. 

There were so many things about this story that spoke to me. For one, I love the way that Joel reacts to Paulie's laugh. "No one should ever stop his laughter. It was a crime."

The overall haunting depth at which Joel realizes the truth about his former relationship is heartbreaking. As young men, firmly forced to be in the closet, he and Diego were never able to actually be real boyfriends. And, as he further admits the truth to himself, his enlightenment leads him to discover the truth about the way our minds can force us to hold relationships to be more important than they really are/were. 

The discussion of being able to pass as straight versus being as fabulous as you really are is, as always, a great conversation. With Diego, Joel had to pass as straight, as Diego's life depended upon it. And thus with Paulie, Joel has a tough time accepting Paulie's appearance. Paulie's reaction is perfect, as he should not have to hide for anyone, and he won't.

Controlled Burn is mutli-layered, with so many lessons to be learned, and is fraught with well crafted moments, memories, and scenes. It is not an easy read, as it is filled with conflict and angst, but it is well worth the journey they take to get to their hard fought happy ending. I highly recommend this book, as Erin McLellan has a real winner on her hands!