Perfectly Us by Jaclyn Quinn

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

One summer. Two hearts forever changed.

Alex is magnetic. His vibrant personality and easy smiles draw people toward him. No one would guess he’s secretly hurting.

Shiloh is quiet. His social awkwardness and anxious mind make it hard for him to make connections. He’s always felt different. A little broken.

When these two meet, they recognize something in each other. One hides his pain, while the other wears scars from his. They’re opposites in every way, but like magnets, it’s what brings them together.
What starts as a tentative friendship soon blossoms into so much more, bringing about a summer of self-discovery, healing, soft kisses under the stars, and two imperfect people who learn just how perfectly they fit together.

Perfectly Us is a heartwarming and emotional opposites attract, demisexual awakening New Adult LGBT romance with a guaranteed HEA.
Trigger warnings: anxiety, depression, mention of self-harm and suicide.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Perfectly Us is a wonderful young adult/new adult romance by Jaclyn Quinn. This is one of those books that I can't stop thinking about. 

This isn't a light read, so be forewarned. Anxiety and depression is a  major part of this story, and it's not always an easy read. 

Alex and Shiloh are complete opposites, making for an interesting developing relationship. One has to adore Alex. He's out, proud, and confident. But he has some major family issues. Shiloh's quiet, unassuming, and a loner. And he has some major mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and an attempted suicide. 

I find the movie theater scenes fascinating, as I've never been in the employees' only section. 

The friendship they develop is adorable, and the romance that follows is heartwarming. 

Everything is written with care and compassion, as the depression, anxiety, and self harm are all authentic feeling. The author excels in the character development for these men. I love the way the layers are revealed, with both young men helping the other to heal. And the character growth is wonderful. 

Perfectly Us is a must read when you're in the mood for heartfelt mix of serious, sweet, and hurt/comfort. Everything about this Jaclyn Osbourne read had me mesmerized and quickly turning the pages. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you won't forget.

RELEASE TOUR, EXCERPT & REVIEW - Aftermath (Vino & Veritas #5) by L.A. Witt

 

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

Brent Weyland was the life of the party until an injury ended his hockey career. Now he’s retreated alone to a lakefront house, trying to make sense of a life and body that don’t feel like his anymore. 

Jon Norquist was happily married right up until he wasn’t. Now a single father in his forties, he’s trying to figure out what comes next. In the meantime, he pours his heartache and regret into the lyrics he sings for the wine bar crowd a couple of nights a week.

When a friend coaxes Brent out for a night of wine and music, he puts Brent and Jon on a collision course. Their chemistry is instantaneous. Jon gives Brent’s battered body a much-needed remedial lesson in pleasure. And Brent gives Jon a reason to smile again. 

Multiple reasons, actually. Neither man wants anything serious, but love has a habit of showing up whether it’s welcome or not. No matter how hard they try, the two can’t help having feelings for each other, even as life continues to throw them curveballs.

But they’ve both got baggage to unpack and hurt to move past, and if they can’t leave their pasts in the past, they might just miss out on an amazing future.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

LA Witt's Aftermath is a wonderful small town romance. The fifth book in the multi-author Vino & Veritas series, this just may be my favorite. 

There is so much going on in this book. And I love it all. Brent and Jon are both suffering in their own way. There's chronic pain, a controlling father, feelings of inadequacy, an ex wife, and a child who's affected by it all. And dogs!

Both men think they aren't worthy. Brent's a ex hockey player who suffers from chronic pain and has been living as a hermit, giving into his depression. Jon is older, with an angry ex wife, a young son, and a plate full of baggage. 

The chronic pain aspect is brilliantly approached. I am in awe at how well the author addresses this. Every single moment with Brent is written with how this affects him. It isn't just written to guide the story and his issues, but it's written in every single thing he does. Every step is taken with pain. His sex life is affected by his pain. His pain is felt throughout and as someone who deals with chronic pain, I love every moment of this aspect.

Both men have some external issues. Brent's relationship with his father. Omg. I won't even bother to go into the details, but, omg, I just want to punch him. I truly hate him. For Jon, it's his ex wife and her boyfriend that's the issue. Jon's a stand up guy and I applaud him for the way he handles her. Their journey and the way they developed into strangers is all too honest and heartbreaking. 

The dogs. Omg, the dogs. These shelter dogs are instantly a major part of this story and add a tremendous amount of love to this tale. But even more, they parallel the men so well. Both men are broken and struggling. Both men are trying to deal with their new situations and together help one another heal, as well as learn to live fully. And the dogs are the same way, both helping each other heal. It's wonderful!

I have to start by saying that I love the writing style. LA Witt is a well known author in the genre and this is just one more amazing story by her.  This story has a lot of description, but I love it. The writing shows us little things that are happening, but it's never overkill. As well, written in alternating first person pov, this book is loaded with internal dialogue. And no one does it better. These moments are fantastic, with so many important things being considered and contemplated throughout. I love it all. 

Aftermath is a long, well drawn out tale. It's a beautiful love story, but it's a big commitment, so put some time aside for this beauty. This LA Witt tale is a hurt/comfort romance that you can't miss. I love every moment of this story. 

If there was one thing I was good at when I performed onstage, it was engaging my audience without being distracted by them. The lighting here at Vino and Veritas didn’t mask the crowd in shadows like bigger venues did—no blinding stage lights in my eyes obscuring the people beyond them—which meant I could make out a lot of faces. And there was usually a fair amount of activity, too. People came and went. Waiters brought out drinks and food. Bartenders poured drinks. Quiet conversations went on. Some loud ones, especially as more alcohol flowed.

I was used to it, and I was never distracted by it. The sea of motion and faces was easy to ignore.

Except for that guy’s face.

One glance at him, and thank God I’d been between songs, or I’d have forgotten what I was doing.

And it didn’t help at all that he’d been looking right back at me as if I’d caught his eye the way he’d caught mine. Not just like people casually watched a performer onstage, but like something I’d done had made him stop dead and stare. He was still, his eyes wide and his lips parted as he stared at me. I couldn’t tell if it was a trick of the lights, but I swore he blushed too.

As I played on, I kept my gaze down, or at least tried to only let it drift toward the side of the room where he wasn’t sitting. Otherwise I was going to go blank on every note and every lyric.

But then I was far enough into the music that I forgot, and I glanced in that direction again, and there he was, still looking right at me, and—

What song is this?

I only missed a beat or two, fortunately, and I recovered quickly. I doubted many people noticed, if any of them did. In a venue like this, a lot of people were only half-listening, as opposed to during an actual concert when they were all focused on me. I was background noise for most, even those who applauded between songs. Just as well when I was this distracted.

By some miracle, I made it through my set, and people didn’t mutter things like, “Oh my God, finally,” or “One more and I was going to stab my own eardrums” as I left the stage. Given that this hadn’t been my best or most focused performance, I’d take it.

In the back room where overflow books and promo items from the bookstore were kept, I put my guitar in its case and downed the rest of my water bottle. That had been, hands down, the hardest set I’d done since I’d started singing here. The first few had been tough because the emotions had been a lot more raw—because I’d been real smart, singing what I’d just written about my painful divorce-in-progress—so it had been rough for a while. But even during that period, I’d never actually struggled like I had tonight to remember lyrics and chords, or to keep my fingers from slipping or my tongue from getting tied. 

And now I needed a drink. Not just water this time, either. 

So, I left my guitar and jacket in the back where they were safe, and then headed up to the bar for a glass of wine. Only one, since I was driving. I’d probably have a couple more when I got home. Maybe not the healthiest thing in the world, but I’d been in a shitty place all day, and singing about my divorce poured some salt in wounds that hadn’t closed yet. I wasn’t apologizing for numbing that with a little alcohol once in a while. 

“The usual?” Rainn asked over the bar.

I shook my head. “Glass of pinot blanc.”

Our eyes met. Then Rainn nodded and stepped away to get the wine. He knew me and what I’d been through the last several months, so he didn’t question me. He just didn’t need to know that my ex-wife wasn’t the one screwing with my concentration tonight. 

He handed me the glass, and I thanked him before taking a sip. I wasn’t much of a drinker, but I had to say, I loved the wine they poured in this place. One of these days, I’d buy a bottle or two to keep at home. Maybe after I finished redoing the kitchen and had a place to put a wine rack.

That was another depressing thought that didn’t need to take hold tonight, so I focused on enjoying the amazing wine while I wound down after my set. My son was at his mom’s tonight, so I didn’t need to rush out of here to pick him up from the babysitter. I preferred the evenings where he was with me, but when he wasn’t, I couldn’t complain about relaxing here for a little while.

Someone stepped up to the bar beside me, and as I moved aside to give them some room, I glanced up and—

Oh. God.

Him.

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Heartscape (Vino & Veritas #2) by Garrett Leigh

 

Release Date: March 22, 2021

Purchase here: Amazon Link

Add to Goodreads here: Goodreads Link

Vino & Veritas Series Page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

From award-winning author Garrett Leigh comes a gorgeous new romance in the True North world! Think: great food, burly men and good times. Beards are optional but encouraged.

I’m not the obvious choice to run Burlington’s coolest wine bar—quiet, brooding, clueless about tannin content, and always one wrong turn away from another downward spiral.

But no one seems to mind that I'm a wreck. Besides me. I just focus on getting through each shift until the night a beautiful stranger appears, looking as lost and damaged as I feel.

When a mutual friend calls in a favor, the sexy newcomer winds up crashing on my couch. I don't know if it's his melodic Cornish accent, or his ocean blue eyes, or the rock-hard body with the mysterious scars, but I get the feeling whatever happened to him runs far deeper than those wounds.

Having Jax in my home makes my chest warm. Makes me shiver. Makes me want more. But I've got a pile of baggage and I don't want to be a burden on anyone let alone a man who seems to have enough demons of his own.

Our chemistry is off the charts. His arms feel like home. The last thing I want is to screw this up. Is it wrong to hope we can heal each other? Or will one of us die trying?

HEARTSCAPE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers romance in the True North world, with a brooding bartender, a rugged outdoorsman, sweet angst and lots of Shipley cider. Triggers: contains mentions of depression, suicidal ideation and PTSD recovery.

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My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Heartscape is the second book in the multi-author Vino & Veritas series. This is Garrett Leigh's contribution and it's fantastic. 

Both Tanner and Jax know all about heartache. Their tale is heavy, with pain, depression, trauma, and PTSD. This is a major aspect of their journey so avoid if you're not in the mood for a serious emotional story.

Every moment of their journey is wonderfully developed and executed. I love these men, and isn't that the point. I want to hold and comfort both of them. Luckily for me, they eventually have each other to lean on.

I enjoy the pace at which everything unfolds. Their journey is perfectly satisfying and leaves me thrilled to have enjoyed the details. 

This series takes place in a small Vermont town and the author does a great job bringing the fell of this town to life. You can feel this Sarina Bowen created world completely, and I wish V&V was a read place. 

Heartscape is a riveting romance. This Garrett Leigh tale is a tough read, full of heartache and pain, but it won't disappoint. 

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Jax kisses me. In my wildest dreams I’m expecting it, but it still catches me off guard. His lips are soft, but demanding, and there’s nothing I don’t want to give him.

So I kiss him back. 

I slide my hands under his layers of winter clothing and pull him close, and we kiss and kiss and kiss as if it isn’t the first time we’ve done it. 

His lips feel like home. 

His soft touch dances along my jaw. 

I want to kiss him forever, but we run out of air.

Startled, I draw back and instantly find myself lost in Jax’s blazing stare. His gaze usually calms me—it really is like the deepest, bluest ocean. But right now, his eyes are stormy and hot. I want to dive back in headfirst, and for once what I want makes sense. 

And it’s right here. I don’t need words. I stand, cup a hand around the back of his neck, and kiss him again. Jax makes another low sound, and the fact that he’s spent the night in my bed to babysit me stops mattering. Shadows fade. Heat draws us ever closer, and it’s easy to pretend we spent all night doing this. I can’t contemplate that it has to end.

But it does end. 

Jax pulls back with a rueful smile, cheeks flushed, breathing hard. “I have to go. I promised Jerry I wouldn’t be late again.”

The mention of Jerry jars something in my brain enough to form a sentence that has nothing to do with how fast my heart is beating. “How did last night go?”

“Okay, I think.” Jax steps away. “Dude talked so much I stopped listening, but the apartment was all right. I can move in whenever I want.”

I should be happy for him. I am happy for him. He didn’t deserve to lose all his things in the hostel fire, and it sucks he had to take help from a stranger when he needed so badly to depend on himself. But I’m still dazed from his kiss. I say the first thing that comes into my head. Raw. No filter. “I’m gonna miss you.”

He gives me a soft grin. “I’ll miss you too.”

Then he leaves, and the reality that it might be the last time we do this hits me like a train. Jerry’s buddy’s apartment is probably outside of the city, closer to where Jax needs to be for his work. It isn’t a million miles away—nothing in Vermont ever is—but it’s not waking up to find Jax in my bed. It’s not drinking his weird tea together or eating dinner on the couch with him. It’s not opening my eyes every morning to feel the comforting hum of his presence.

It’s not being there to let him know, every day, that he fucking matters.

So tell him now.

I lurch from my bed and snag a T-shirt from the clean laundry pile I haven’t even thought about putting away. My shoes are by the front door. I stamp into them and fish my keys from the dish. Then I make a run for it down the stairs and out into the morning gloom.

The sidewalk is icy from the plummeting temperatures that are starting to move in from the mountains. But I’m a Vermonter; I know how to handle that shit. I dash to the parking lot where Jax is waiting for Jerry, his broad back to me as he contemplates the ground.

I grab his arm. “You don’t have to leave.”

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RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Dead Sea (Story Ballads #2) by Mia Kerick

 

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:
Dead Sea by Mia Kerick

Story Ballads, Book 2

He risks his life and finds his heart.

Kyle is a swaggering bully; Lenny strives to be invisible.

Kyle has been left alone in the world; Lenny is the world’s biggest loner.

When Kyle saves Lenny from drowning, their lives will never be the same.

After a brutal encounter with school bullies, Lenny swims out into the ocean, determined to let the current whisk him away. Next thing he knows the meanest kid in town is pulling him from the waves, promising to be his Dead Sea, and to never let him sink.

All Kyle wants is to get out of beach cleanup, is that too much to ask? So he goes for a swim, only to come upon the most epic loser in the senior class drowning in a riptide. Lenny’s haunted gaze grips him, and Kyle makes the impulsive decision to save his life or die trying. Through this ordeal, Kyle and Lenny are transformed.

Kyle’s heroic act sets him on the straight and narrow, and he opens his heart to the young man he dragged from the ocean. Lenny changes too but is still unable to reveal the truth of his pain. While drowning in a sea of secrets, the reformed bully and wary victim fall in love. But staying afloat in the Dead Sea is not as simple as it seems.

Universal Link

Goodreads

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My Rating - 5 Stars!

Dead Sea is a stunning read by Mia Kerick. The second book in the Story Ballads series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

This is a deep and heavy young adult story. 

Kyle and Lenny are two teens. Total opposites. And both barely holding on; both struggling with who they are. 

Their lives collide and dramatically change forever one day at the beach when Kyle saves Lenny from a riptide. 

The two have nothing in common. Kyle's the popular boy at school, one of the crowd who bullies Lenny. And Lenny's the recluse who never talks at school. Ever. They are two boys who hide, one behind his clothes, the other behind his attitude.

But damn, there are so many layers behind what they show the world. Kyle's mother is toxic and abusive, never appreciating or praising him. Dear lord, the way she talks to him is horrific. 

And poor Lenny. He hides behind his silence at school. He knows he's different and he's completely confused by who he really is. Lenny just doesn't fit in. He struggles to figure out where his desires fit in. His love of wearing costumes and dressing up leaves him confused and embarrassed. So to the world he chooses to try to be invisible. His family issues are complicated as well. 

They are two broken young men whose worlds collide. Two broken young men who end up saving each other. And it's beautiful. 

Despite not knowing one another, Kyle chooses to save Lenny and feels compelled to keep protecting him. 

What follows is a tale of two boys who help each other embrace who they are, encouraging and inspiring each other. Two boys who give each other a reason to live. 

This is a story with family and mother issues galore. There's homophobia, bullying, attempted suicide, and depression. 

As far as favorite quotes, there are way too many to list. The author seriously had me stunned with some of the impressive quotes. Basically, she reminds us to find the people who nurture and support us. She reminds us that life will always throw us obstacles and complications but encourages us to survive our current obstacle and face the future. It's wonderfully poignant. Especially in our current environment. 

Dead Sea is a heavy and powerful coming of age story. Mia Kerick once again gifts her readers with a stellar young adult romance that is complex and multi-layered. I am thrilled to have read about these two young men and their journey. 

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Kyle

My ass is getting numb from zoning out for so long on the couch in front of the boob tube. I crack a smile. It’s what you used to call the TV, Grampa. Remember? Not that it’s got boobs—I’d have surely noticed that, seeing as most nights I stare at the damn thing until my eyes go blurry.

I pop open the bag of Ruffles I found on top of the fridge—you can’t hide junk food from this dude—and stick my bare feet on the coffee table. Mom would kick them off, her big feet wedged into a pair of clunky boots with lugged soles that always leave a mark. She’s not here, though, so I might as well make myself comfortable.

I didn’t want to sneak into the dumb gay bar with those assholes, anyhow. But would it have killed them to ask me if I was up for it? Nope—that didn’t happen. The three fuckin’ musketeers, my ass. Sisti and Zane snuck off with two hot sophomore girls without a word. So, this guy’s parked in front of the boob tube. Like, again.

Makes sense no girl will come near me, though. They smell my meanness from a mile away. Can’t say as I blame them—my own mother smells my meanness and steers clear. But shit, I can’t get a date to save myself.

I stuff a handful of chips into my pie hole and savor the salt and grease. They taste almost too good—I haven’t had a bite to eat since noon when I swiped the school lunch of some dweeb who dared to wear jeans that made him look like he was waiting for a flood. The loser should’ve come to school in pants that hit his damn ankles—he might’ve escaped my attention.

And another fist full of chips…down the hatch.

My best pals bailed on me tonight—I would’ve been a total fifth wheel. You used to tell me with friends like Sisti and Zane I didn’t need no enemies. Whatevs.

I only give about half a shit I couldn’t find a girl to go out with tonight. None of the babes Gil and Damon drool over do it for me. Sure, they’re hot—sweet smelling with painted-on jeans and I’m-all-that smiles. There’s just something I want to see in their eyes that’s not there. Could be because most girls are always glaring at me in that stay-the-hell-away-from-me-you-caveman way. Or it could be the other thing…

Yup, the thing I’ve never admitted to nobody. Never even told you, Gramps, about how I sometimes get hot for the look in certain dudes’ eyes. Grampa didn’t need to know that shit—it’s TMI, for sure. And it’s not like I stand a chance with the smart quiet types of guys I’m into.

I lean back on the ancient couch in our living room for my third episode of Cops. Lucky me, tonight’s a Cops marathon. Hope like hell I’m never one of the bad boys on it.

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Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Dead Sea, Mia is giving away a $15 Amazon Voucher!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cc0f2a57153/?

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Award-winning gay romance author, Mia Kerick, knows that a satisfying romance novel is riddled with challenges. For true love to prevail, the leading men are gonna have to put in some effort. But the HEA is oh-so rewarding.

Mia has a great affinity for the damaged teenage soul in literature. Her YA gay contemporary romance focuses on such tropes as hurt/comfort and dark secrets that keep them apart. In Kerick’s books, the course of true love never does run smooth.

Mia’s books have been featured in Kirkus Reviews magazine. They have won a 2019 IPPY GOLD award for Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction, a 2018 YA GOLD MOONBEAM Children’s Book Award, a YA Readers’ Favorite Award, several Gold Rainbow Awards in YA and adult categories, a Reader Views’ Book by Book Publicity Literary Award, the Jack Eadon Award for Best Book in Contemporary Drama, a YA Indie Fab Award, a First Place Royal Dragonfly Award for Cultural Diversity, a First Place Story Monsters Purple Dragonfly Award, and more.

Mia cheers for each and every victory made in the name of human rights. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

Contact Mia:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.kerick/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miakerick/
Twitter: @MiaKerick
https://www.miakerickya.com
https://www.miakerick.com

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A Kind of Forever (Finding Forever #1) by Marie Sinclair

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Ry and Cart were inseparable in college: two innocent kids in love who thought they could take on the world. But when a photograph of the two of them at an LGBTQ protest outed Ry to his conservative family, his parents forced him to leave college and convinced Cart their relationship was something Ry regretted.

Twelve years later, they’re given a second chance.

Since they last saw each other, Cart has moved on. Sort of. He relocated to San Francisco, became a human-rights lawyer, and fell in love again and got married, only to lose his husband to cancer. Still reeling from the loss, he’s devoted himself to the struggling LGBTQ youth center his late husband founded. Then Ry joins the law firm where Cart works. The moment they see each other, Cart can tell Ry’s changed. Gone is the sensuous and enthusiastic lover Cart remembers, and in his place is a man who looks at Cart with disgust. The last thing Cart needs is having to figure out what’s going on with his former lover, but he can’t ignore the strong emotions resurfacing between them.

When Ry returned to his hometown of San Francisco, he knew being near his parents again was going to be a challenge. For twelve years, they’ve been manipulating him with threats of being disinherited and losing his trust fund. It worked when he was younger, getting him to leave college and agree to conversion therapy in the hopes of getting away and returning to Cart. But the camp caused him so much trauma, he can’t even look at another man without experiencing a panic attack. Now his goal is to beat his parents at their own game by pretending to be the dutiful, straight son they want. Two more years, and he’ll succeed. Then he sees Cart again and realizes what really matters to him. He just needs to find a way for Cart to realize it too.


Trigger Warnings: This book contains references to attempted suicide, conversion therapy, depression, and self-harm, as well as depictions of PTSD and panic attacks. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

A Kind of Forever is an emotional and powerful second chance romance by Marie Sinclair. 

Way back when, Ry and Cart were dating and in love. Until Ry disappeared without an explanation.

Set in San Francisco, this one is one hell of a read. Ry's past is full of pain and anguish, all caused by his controlling, homophobic parents. 

As for Cart, he's now grieving the loss of his husband Sam and helping to save Sam's LGBTQ youth center. 

Upon their reunion, the anger and animosity are both intense. What follows is a beautiful tale of regret and forgiveness. It's a tale with family issues, as Ry can't come out to his family. Their story includes panic attacks and so damn many flashbacks to conversion therapy.

In the end, it's an impressive story with explanations, apologies, and acceptance. It's story of trying to deal with one's own past, as well as another's. And I couldn't put it down. 

This is a story with plenty of heavy topics and heavy moments. Take note of the trigger warnings and avoid if conversion therapy or attempted suicide is a hard no for you. 

The writing flows well, with a great pace. The characters are well developed and their storyline emotional and intriguing. The great thing is, despite all the heaviness involved, the author manages to keep things lighter than one would except.

A Kind of Forever is a stellar read. My first time reading a Marie Sinclair book, I am in love with this one and look forward to reading more from this newish author.