RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Weekend Girl (Weekend Girl #1) by Alex Powell

Title: Weekend Girl

Series: Weekend Girl, Book One

Author: Alex Powell

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: 06/21/2021

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: M/NB

Length: 57200

Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQIA+, Canada, alloromantic, aromantic, agender, pansexual, genderfluid, college, sexual harassment, manties, cross-dressing, transgender, #ownvoices, new adult

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Ashley Kingston is a genderfluid university student with a major crush on attractive and charming Nolan. He seems just too perfect to be true. What happens when Ash meets Nolan while dressed as both a man, and a woman? And even more confusing, what happens when Nolan seems enamoured of both versions of Ash? A twisty-turny romance filled with fun and shenanigans.

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My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Weekend Girl is the first book in the Weekend Girl series by Alex Powell. It's a college romance that explores being non-binary and gender fluidity.

Ash is gender fluid, and struggling to find someone who excepts them. They're also struggling to figure out who they are, which is well written. 

I don't love the writing style. It just doesn't quite work for me. But I like the storyline a lot. 

The author does a great job illustrating some of the issues with being gender fluid, including the fear, the doubts, and the body dysphoria. 

Weekend Girl is definitely worth a read when you're in the mood to read about gender issues. Alex Powell takes the reader on an eye-opening and realistic journey of the struggles of gender and sexuality. 

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Ashley Kingston sat in the bustling Davie Street cafe staring into his—Wait!

No.

Their cup. Their.

They had managed to misgender themself again, and honestly, it was getting old. Realizing they might not be a cis dude was like trying to find a bra that would fit their frame—sometimes it poked them in places not meant to be poked.

Speaking of bras, Ash had two new ones in their bag on the floor next to their feet. Normally, Ash wouldn’t have gone to a store to purchase clothes not meant for men, but their friend Bei Bei had gotten Ash’s measurements and pretended the bras were for her. One was a perfectly sensible beige number, but the other was fire-engine red, at Bei Bei’s insistence. Ash was nervous about trying them on, even when no one else was around, but what were they to do? Progress was progress.

They glanced over at their friend from the corner of their eye. Bei Bei was on her phone texting someone, running her hand through the short hair on one side of her head. Her undercut was brand spanking new.

Still not used to it? Ash frowned. The two of them were both trying something on for size. Bei Bei said she wanted to be the butchest of butch lesbians. She’d gone into the salon and had all of her long black hair cut off just that morning. Ash had watched as Bei Bei transformed before their eyes. What was it like to have long hair?

Ash ran a hand through their own dark-brown hair and sighed. Maybe one day.

“What are you moping for?” Bei Bei demanded. “We just had shopping therapy. I thought for sure you’d be happier now.”

“I’m not unhappy,” Ash started.

“But you are,” Bei Bei finished.

“I was just thinking—” Ash sighed again. “—what it might be like to have long hair, and I just…” They shrugged.

“Is that all?” Bei Bei said. “We can get you a wig.”

“I’m a starving student! As if I could afford a quality wig!”

“It doesn’t have to be expensive,” Bei Bei said. “I’ll help you find something nice but affordable online.”

“Okay,” Ash said, somewhat mollified. “I guess I was just blowing things out of proportion—again.”

“You really need to chill.” Bei Bei patted their arm. “I know, anxiety sucks.”

“At least my meds are somewhat stable. I have a mate back home who can hardly go outside some days.”

Bei Bei nodded sympathetically. The two sat in silence for a few moments, and Ash took a sip of their now-lukewarm London Fog. They licked a bit of foam off their lip. The world went on by outside the cafe window, and Ash watched from their place perched atop a bar-style stool, elbows resting on the counter running along the inside of the window.

“Ooh,” Bei Bei said. “She’s hot.”

A very tall Black girl with bantu knots and long legs walked by outside. Ash nodded. She was very attractive, and her barely there black shorts hugged her hips. Ash, who had known they were pansexual long before they figured out their gender, considered themself an equal-opportunity lover.

That is, when they even had a lover. Ash struggled to keep relationships, and they could never figure out why. It wasn’t a lack of attraction, and Ash enjoyed dating. But something always made the situation go sour.

The girl stopped for the traffic light on Davie and Granville, and Bei Bei and Ash looked on with interest. A loud group of tourists passed by the window, and when the group cleared, the girl looked back at them. Ash pretended to be very interested in the dregs of their drink.

Of course, Bei Bei kept on staring.

The girl turned and came towards them. Ash didn’t know what to do, so it was lucky their attention was on Bei Bei. The girl came into the cafe, making her way to where Ash and Bei Bei were sitting.

“Can I help you?” the Black girl asked.

Bei Bei’s eyes sparkled. “I’ve lost my phone. Do you mind calling it for me?”

The girl’s mouth twitched. “That the best you got?”

“Not by a long shot,” Bei Bei replied.

Bei Bei and the girl, who eventually introduced herself as Ouma, flirted away beside Ash. Ash pretended they had no idea who Bei Bei was, in spite of the fact she was sitting right there next to them.

Bei Bei kept running her hand through her newly shorn hair and biting her lip in obvious signs of attraction. Ouma was standing beside them with her hip cocked, head tilted. Ash looked at their phone and their Twitter page for a bit, waiting for Bei Bei and Ouma to finish with their flirting.

“Bye,” Ouma said, flashing a wave as she walked out the door.

“Oh my god, you are incorrigible,” said Ash as soon as Ouma was out of earshot.

“Got her number though,” Bei Bei smirked.

Ash rolled their eyes.

“You’ve got game, girl.”

“You just need more confidence, Ash,” Bei Bei said. “You’re plenty attractive to those who like enbies.”

The real problem was that Ash didn’t look non-binary. They looked like a cis guy. That could cause them trouble in the long run.

“I guess?” Ash said with another shrug. “I’m mostly worried that… Well. I’m trans. It’s a thing that gets a lot of people killed in a lot of places, especially when it comes to dating and sex.”

“Truth bomb time, I guess.” Bei Bei scratched the side of her head. “It’s hard enough being an Asian lesbian. Being trans is a whole other thing.”

Ash just nodded, tried to take another drink, and grimaced when they found their cup empty.

“I’d date a trans lesbian,” Bei Bei continued. “I know it doesn’t really make me special or anything. But I know of a ton of TERF lesbians who wouldn’t.”

Ash made a face at the mention of TERFs. They had enough to deal with at university without having to listen to some transphobe calling herself a feminist saying that trans people were gross. They felt gross a lot of the time anyway, but it got worse when people started calling trans people trash. Ash’s anxiety always skyrocketed if they saw people arguing on social media about it.

“I just want to find a person who would accept me for being genderfluid,” Ash said. “I’m always worried that anyone I’m interested in will turn out to be one of those binary sex-pushing assholes.”

It happened sometimes on Twitter. Somebody with a cute profile pic turned out to be awful, and it always made Ash angry, but also ashamed in a strange way. They hated that they felt ashamed sometimes of something like their identity, but it was still there sometimes, throbbing in their chest.

“I get it,” Bei Bei said. “I know you gotta be careful. But don’t shut yourself off completely.”

“I guess,” Ash said. “It’s not like I’m even used to thinking of myself as non-binary in the first place.”

“You have to start somewhere,” Bei Bei said.

Ash acknowledged this with a nod. Bei Bei got up to get another iced caramel macchiato, and Ash stared out the window at the people going by. Things were tough right now, so Ash had to be tougher.

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Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

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Alex is an author of LGBTQ+ romance. They live in northern Canada where it snows six months of the year. Currently, they are pursuing a PhD in English, but that won’t stop them from writing about space vampires or cyberpunk hackers or whatever else pops into their head. Mostly a SFF writer, Alex sometimes dabbles in other genres including contemporary romance.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | eMail

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Giveaway

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Let Me Remind You (A Love Permit Novel Book 3) by Gianni Holmes

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

What happens when a man you can't remember has more memories of you than you have of yourself?

Clay's football career is brought to a halt after losing his memory in an accident. When he moves back to San Diego, he hopes familiar surroundings will bring back his memory. He doesn’t expect to be slapped in the street by the most interesting guy he's never met before. Or has he? Why else can't he get the image of the high-heel-wearing guy who owns the queer lingerie shop from his mind?

After years of a secret relationship with Clay, Jeremy called it quits. But when he told Clay to forget about him and move on, he never counted on that actually happening. Now two years following their breakup, Clay's family wants Jeremy to help fill in the gaps in his memories. Will Jeremy be able to handle poking around old wounds? Or will revisiting these memories remind them of all the fun times they had and how much they are still in love?

Let Me Remind You is a new book in the Love Permit series and can be read as a standalone. It is low angst with intense moments and features an MC who’s fabulously fem without apology. Expect lace, sweet walks down memory lane, and falling in love all over again.

My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Wow! Just wow! Gianni Holmes' Let Me Remind You is a phenomenal read. The third book in the A Love Permit series, it's riveting, powerful, and is one of the best books I've read this year. 

This tale starts with a breakup. And, wow, what a breakup. It's absolutely gut wrenching. 

And then...Omg...then...

Two years later when Jeremy runs into Clay again, he slaps him. But, unfortunately for all, Clay has no memory of Jeremy or why Jeremy would be mad at him. 

What a gut wrenching moment and a gut wrenching romance. 

The closeted football player Clay, and the femme, very "out" Jeremy. Their romance is tragic. Their romance is all consuming. And their romance is one that will stay with me forever. I love it all!

I continue to be in awe of this author. And this is yet an all new level of stellar writing for me. Everything about this story is amazing. Written in alternating first person pov, the characters fully come to life, with every single emotion jumping off the pages. 

Let Me Remind You is a fantastic surprise for me. Gianni Holmes has left me glued to the pages throughout. I cried. And then I cried some more. Just read it.  

Out of Harm's Way (Balls and Brawn #1) by Rebecca James

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

I’m coming after you, baby boy. You’re going to pay for what you did.

The terrifying text message from Mick Water's abuser, recently escaped from prison, sends him spiraling into panic. His life is just getting back on track, and now he's constantly looking over his shoulder and barely able to sleep at night. When his friends arrange for a bodyguard for him, Mick feels a confusing combination of relief at having protection, dismay at the sheer size of his new bodyguard, and arousal due to Mick's attraction to big men. His ex was a big man, and Mick paid dearly for that attraction.

Oxford Bradley enjoys his job with Foster Security, which includes a mixed bag of high-stakes cases--some of them dangerous--and dull babysitting-type situations. When he isn't working, he prefers a serene life devoid of drama and, let’s face it, a somewhat vanilla sex life. Assigned to protect a terrified man from his abusive ex, Ox is horrified at his body’s reaction to not only Mick himself, but also Mick’s admission to a Daddy kink--he’s never had an unprofessional relationship with a client and he isn’t starting now.

As Mick warms up to Ox and the two men get to know one another, the attraction between them grows. Ox refuses to break his professional code, but what about when the danger's over? Living in different states, they can't possibly have more than a one-off, and the temptation to explore with this intriguing man is undeniable.

Will one night send Ox running back to his comfortable vanilla lifestyle, or will Mick help him find a new favorite flavor? And what happens when an opportunity presents itself for Ox to see Mick again?

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Out of Harm's Way is first book in the Balls and Brawn series. This Rebecca James tale is a great mix of bodyguard romance, danger, and sex.

Oz is hired to protect Mick after his ex escapes from prison. Oz is bisexual and can't deny his attraction to his subject. It's does take them a little while though, as they aren't going to allow Oz to eff up his assignment. 

I felt bad for Mick immediately. The reader can feel his fear from the start, with plenty of fearful moments to follow. 

The attraction and friendship that develops is sweet. And I love the long distance issues and how they play into the storyline. 

Their story includes some steamy scenes, including dirty talk, lingerie, and some public sex. The risky sex is a delightful scene. But damn, I love Mick in a skirt. 

The Daddy kink aspect of this story is very light. Yes, their sex life includes some Daddy moments, but it's few and far between.

The suspense and danger is riveting, with some twists and turns thrown in to keep things intriguing. 

One of my favorite parts of the story involves Ox's parents. I don't want to give anything away, but it's both sad and satisfying. 

Out of Harm's Way is a great read by Rebecca James. The combination of danger and action, with sex and romance, is all well done. 

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Undercover (Vino & Veritas #4) by Eliot Grayson

 

Release Date: March 29, 2021
Pre-Order here: Amazon Link
Add to Goodreads here: Goodreads Link
Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/
Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already…

Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.

Tall, dark, and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats. 

When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to…

Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?

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My Rating - 4 Stars!

Undercover is a good small town romantic suspense by Eliot Grayson. The fourth book in the Vino & Veritas multi author series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

Alec's working undercover when he meets Gabe. Of course, it's a conflict that Alec is investigating someone close to Gabe. Yikes! 

Their story is definitely enjoyable, as they connect well, but have some issues to deal with. Not only is Alec lying, but the truth is ever looming over their heads. 

This is a story with secrets, suspense, and danger. There's also some humor and steam, including a hot rimming scene and some lace. Good god, I love the manties and lace aspect!

The investigation and action part of the story is decent. It wraps up quickly but it all works for me. 

My main complaint is that I didn't get to know the characters as well as I would have preferred. I would have loved some more development there to help me connect with them more. 

Undercover is a sweet small town romance. This Eliot Grayson tale fits in well with the rest of the series and is a fun, short read. 

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I swallowed hard, not missing how his eyes flicked down to my throat for a second, and finally found my voice. “What do you want?” I’d tried for challenging, but it came out husky and a little plaintive. Like I’d really said something more like, Looking for a good time?

He took another step, putting him squarely into my personal space. I caught a faint thread of the scent of him, leather and man, just like I’d imagined. Oh God.

“I’m kind of new in town,” he said, still staring right into my eyes. I pressed my hands back against the side of the building, concrete rough beneath my sweaty palms. “Where does a guy go to have fun in Burlington, anyway? You kind of look like you’d know.”

He looked down, pointedly doing a sweep of me from my purple Chucks, up my skinny legs, over my chest—lingering there for a second; could he see the outline of my right nipple piercing through my shirt?—and back up to my ear piercings and multicolored hair. He landed right back on my eyes again. His own seemed wider and darker. Dilated. Yeah, he liked what he’d seen.

Fuck it. Maybe there was something wrong with me—okay, I knew there was something wrong with me. I always went for the wrong guys, and this was wronger than usual.

But fuck it, seriously. I’d never been cornered in a park by a guy who looked like he could break me in half, and maybe I’d been missing out. Not like I could get away if I wanted to.

And I really, really didn’t want to.

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Let Me Love You (Love Permit #1) by Gianni Holmes

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

What happens when a guy who constantly needs rescuing meets his Prince-not-so-Charming?

After bailing on his corporate kingdom due to a very public scandal, the last thing Tate expects is to bump into temptation in the woods. A five feet four, one-hundred-and-twenty-pound guy who reeks of a damsel in distress. In other words, Tate’s kryptonite.

When a sprained ankle leaves him trapped in the woods, Bryan has no option but to accept help from the only man within miles around. But there’s just so much to do in a cabin before boredom kicks in. With only one bed, one brooding inexperienced hunk, and a few days for his injury to heal, it's only a matter of time before things heat up.

Just when Tate starts opening up to Bryan, an unexpected turn of events throws Bryan in the face of danger. To rescue him this time, Tate must leave his fortress in the woods to return to society. Will their brief encounter be enough for them to survive what lurks in the city?

Full of playful banter, lingerie, heels, a slight age gap, devious friends, stubborn exes, mystery, and intrigue, this book will give you a thrilling and swoony experience.

Please note, this approximately 100k word book was previously published as Falling for Mr. Corporate and My Dear Mr. Corporate. Over 20k words have been added to the story for a dual POV of the section which was formerly Falling for Mr. Corporate. Also newly edited. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Let Me Love You is the first book in the Love Permit series. Gianni Holmes has revamped the previously released Falling For Mr Corporate and My Dear Mr Corporate and added more to the fun. And what a story it all is!

There are essentially three parts to Bryan and Tate's relationship. 

First, they meet in the mountains, after Bryan has had enough of his abusive boyfriend/boss. Ugh. That man is such an ass. With Bryan alone and needing help, Tate meets him and ends up helping him out. 

What follows is an instant attraction, as the two men quickly fall into bed. And damn, they are hot together. 

Tate's a recluse, with his past slowly revealed. The way Bryan helps heal him and bring him back to life is wonderful.

I love this quote. "Sex is easy...Relationships are different, and I'm not sure I'm any good at it."

Second, once Bryan is ready to return to the city, they have to try to make things work, juggling all the insecurities and doubts involved. Bryan doesn't want to be a kept boy and is desperately trying to make himself self sufficient, while also trying to be with Tate. 

As for the heat, there's lots of it, including some sexy lingerie and some hot rimming. 

Third, there's action and danger, with plenty of twists and turns. There's abuse, assumptions, and plenty of manipulation. 

Both men have a lot of healing to do. Tate's getting over the death of his wife and daughter, but there's a lot involved with that situation and it isn't easy for Tate to deal with. 

And then there's Bryan, who's struggling to deal with the abuse he suffered from his ex, the long term effects of his upbringing, and his need to be dependent. 

All the while they're still dealing with Bryan's ex and plenty of issues with Tate's family business.

I love the author's writing style and her well developed characters. It's easy to fall in love with these men and root for them through all they have to deal with. My only complaint, if I had one, would be the completely different feels for the different parts of this book. It's a little strange, but I didn't let it bother me.

Let Me Love You is a wonderful mix of hurt/comfort, healing, and suspense. Gianni Holmes will definitely leave you turning the pages throughout.

Cup of Joe (Bold Brew #1) by Annabeth Albert

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Sometimes an ordinary Joe is all you need…

Newbie barista Levi Miles is having a bad day in the middle of a bad month. He’s trying to figure out post-graduation life, and a recent breakup hasn’t helped. The one bright spot? The charming blue-collar customer with the simple order and reassuring voice.

Electrician Joe Simmons can make anything light up—except his love life. As he gets older, he remains unsure about what he wants from a relationship. But an innocent flirtation with the fresh-faced barista is exactly what his ego needs.
Levi doesn’t need a boyfriend. Or a Daddy. But bantering with Joe feels so good, and when their tentative friendship takes a turn for the sexy, a summer fling seems fun. Exploring long-held desires brings them closer with each steamy night, and the idea of parting gets harder.

But Levi’s only in town temporarily, and the end of summer is approaching. Both are reluctant to disclose their feelings, but pushing past their fears may be the only way to keep this special thing going. Can they order up a happy ending before time runs out?

Cup of Joe is a stand-alone novel in the multi-author Bold Brew shared universe centered around an inclusive coffee shop set in a fictional small city. Each steaming hot coffee shop romance can be enjoyed alone, but collect all ten for the most fun! This 53,000 word age gap story contains a reluctant Daddy, lots of fluffy steam exploring new desires, low angst, and a guaranteed happy ending!

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Cup of Joe is Annabeth Albert's contribution to the multi-author Bold Brew series. 

When Levi and Joe meet, they're intrigued from the start. I love the dynamics between these men. Levi's a brat, and Joe is happy to combat his bratty side. 

The men make a BDSM arrangement, trying to explore what kind of kink works for them. And I have to say, I enjoy the way this is carried out. But soon they bond on a non kink level too, finding themselves spending a lot of time together. Pure sweetness.

This is a hot age gap romance. The men are great together, as Joe loves caring for Levi. Adding to the fun is the appearance of lace. Lots of lace! Love it.

This is a sweet tale mixed with some light angst, as Levi's future is up in the air. 

Written in alternating first person pov, we get to know both men well and enjoy the attraction between them. 

Cup of Joe is a nice, easy to read age gap romance. Annabeth Albert adds in some heat and kink along the way. It's just a nice romance with some tender BDSM elements added in. 

Tame Me (Rebel Mechanics, #2) by A.T. Brennan

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

I’ve never felt like I fit in. Why would that change now that I’m in college?

Two years ago my best friend broke my heart and left me to pick up the pieces of my self-esteem. I swore I’d never let another person hurt me and shifted my focus to school and getting to where I want to be in the future. I have a job I enjoy, friends who understand me, and a family that loves me. Everything was going according to my plan, until I started to spend time with my housemate Drew.

Drew is everything I’ve always wanted but told myself I couldn’t have. He’s popular, a jock, and most importantly, straight. But the more time I spend with him, the more I realize that what he shows the world is just scratching the surface of who he really is. He’s so much more than I ever thought, and for reasons I can’t explain, he seems bound and determined to be my friend.

Friends. I can do that. Until Drew kisses me and my entire world is flipped upside down. I don’t want to lose the friendship we’ve forged, but I’ve been down this road before. Can we figure out a way to keep things platonic between us? Or am I going to lose another friend when whatever is between us eventually fades away?


***Tame Me is a steamy 83k word, opposites attract, hurt/comfort new adult story featuring a bisexual awakening, a sweet jock, a quirky nerd, some zany coworkers, and accidental feels. It is Book Two in the Rebel Mechanics series but can be read as a standalone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Tame Me is a wonderful jock/nerd romance by AT Brennan. The second book in the Rebel Mechanics series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

I love this book from the start. The tone is pleasant and easy to read. And the characters immediately had me intrigued. 

Good god, I love college romances. Add in roommates, sharing a house, jock versus nerd, and even better!

Lux and Drew are housemates, who don't know one another well. I adore these men and their story. It's beautiful the way they connect and the little things that bring them closer. 

Their tale is one of sexual exploration, as Drew is attracted to Lux. Not only has Drew never been with a guy before, this is the first time he's ever been attracted to one.  GFY? Bisexual? He isn't really sure. But he knows he wants Lux.

Both men have their complications. Drew has to deal with his new found sexuality, as well as his family issues. Drew's at the mercy of what his father wants him to do, both career wise and personally. And then there's Lux, who has to deal with trust issues, as he's been burnt in his past.

This is a story of a first time GFY/bisexual romance. It has plenty of sexual discovery and sexual exploration. There are first times and lots of fun times. And lace! You gotta love the lace!

It's a story that includes partying housemates, fantastic co-workers, and porch pirates. I enjoy all the humor throughout.

I love the way the author explores that everyone wears masks. Both men hide things from others, always acting the way they think they should. This is wonderfully discussed.

Even more, the author excels in illustrating the assumptions people make about one another. After all, we all know a bunch of jocks don't want anything to do with a nerd, right? I adore and appreciate this aspect of the story.

It's beautiful seeing both men find someone who loves them as they are, and only wants what's best for them. 

Written in alternating first person pov, the men fully come to life. The characters are charming, and they are perfect together. I love the way these two opposites balance one another. Of course, they're also pretty damn hot together.

Tame Me is a beautiful new adult romance. AT Brennan delights in this feel-good love story. I love every single moment of this book. Can't wait to see what happens next in this series.