Second Nature (His Chance #2) by Alexa Land

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link 

The last time I saw Gabriel, he was putting me on a bus and sending me to some relatives I’d never met, with the hope of a fresh start after rehab.

That was four years ago.

Now he’s back in my life. I’ve wanted him for years, while he’s always thought of me as just a friend. This is my one shot at turning our friendship into so much more.

But how do I convince him I’m the man he needs, and not the broken boy he used to know?

Second Nature is book two in Alexa Land’s His Chance Series, which is a spinoff of her best-selling Firsts and Forever Series. Firsts and Forever readers will recognize some familiar faces, but this gay romance can be read as a stand-alone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Second Nature is classic Alexa Land. The second book in the His Chance series, Land starts us off on Catalina Island, the setting of her Castaways series, and ends up taking us to San Fransico, where her Firsts and Forever series takes place. 

For this book, Gabriel and Riley get their second chance, after many years of hoping to find one another again. I love these men. They are survivors who clearly belong together. They helped each other in the past and are doing so again. 

Their story includes former prostitution, drugs, a vile Dom, and more. They have to deal with temptation, stubbornness, and pride. And for the good stuff, their tale includes sexy panties, delicious outfits, and a pantry revolution. 

The main characters are fabulous, with complex pasts and a strong connection. They truly deserve a happy ending. And the side characters consist of past characters who made me cheer when they showed up. Yes, I actually cheered out loud. 

My favorite quote has to be "Why not just let people be themselves and be happy? It doesn't cost anything to accept others instead of judging them." If only!

Second Nature is a compelling romance that will keep you satisfied throughout. I love Alexa Land and the heart she infuses into her stories. This one is sure to delight!

Thirteen (Love by Numbers Book 3) by Tia Fielding

Amazon Link - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Deputy Mark Forrest and Nurse Francis Archer can’t deny the chemistry that arises between them. A chance meeting awakens the idea of something greater than either had ever imagined.

Mark craves being able to let go, and Francis loves to take him out of his head. But Mark’s past bears a truckload of personal demons that have kept him in the closet and made him lash out at the LGBTQ community in the town he’s come to regard as home.

Despite finding love and a new purpose in Acker, Francis’s new job might end up being temporary, and he doesn't want to lose the life he's settled into. Can the two of them build a future together despite a bitter past, and diverging paths?

Trigger Warning: Abusive, homophobic, and racist language, light D/s, homophobia, vague descriptions of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

This novel is the third book in the Love by Numbers series. While it can be read as a standalone, the author suggests that you start from book #1, Ten, and go from there for the best reading experience.

Review 

My Rating -  5 Stars!

Tia Fielding's Thirteen is a spectacular addition to Tia Fielding's Love By the Numbers series. It's a stunning tale of making amends; of taking control of one's life and feelings. 

The third book in the series, it's easily read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the first two books Ten and Four since they are stupendous as well.

Mark is a victim of abuse, leaving him both skittish and broken. He's been hiding firmly in the closet, causing him to have done some regretful things. Basically, the author does a stellar job with the exploration of internalized homophobia. 

A chance meeting with Francis changes everything as Mark finds himself instantly calmed by the new man. The way in which Francis make Mark feel safe is beautifully written. After a hook-up, they end up in the same town together, setting off the fear of being outed, the need to hide, and the troubles that come when feelings get involved. 

Both men are full of emotional pain. The depth of Mark's emotional pain and fear is astounding. The abuse he suffers from his toxic parents as they control too much of his life is maddening. 

As for Francis, he's burdened by his past as well. I'm remaining vague here to not give anything away. I honestly wasn't expecting his past, and was impressed with the way it's developed.

The way that Francis recognizes Mark's submissive nature is fantastic, leading to some wonderful scenes. 

The writing is superb, with two complex characters, an emotional storyline, and plenty to keep the reader invested. The author excels with creating the perfect small town feel, with helps drive this tale. 

As for the meaning of the title, wow, just wow. It made me sick, had me crying, and I'm still in shock. 

Thirteen has a tender sweetness that helps the reader deal with the seriousness of the storyline. It's an emotionally riveting tale of self acceptance and coming out, abundant with distinguishable character growth. And I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to everyone!

Reunion (The Oleander Chronicles #1) by Lynn Van Dorn

Amazon Link


Blurb


A man betrayed

The day Brett Payne turned eighteen, he attended a party that left him disillusioned, his trust shattered, and feeling betrayed by Tony Russo, his first love.

Nearly fifteen years later, Brett returns to his hometown of Oleander, Florida to help his mother, who’s in the hospital. When chance brings Brett and Tony back together, it turns out that while sex isn’t off the table (or the floor, or the shower, or the countertops), Brett isn't sure he can truly trust the man who broke his heart.

A man rejected

Fifteen years after he was abandoned by Brett, Tony's dreams for the future were smashed, one by one, until he’s forced to return to Oleander. Barely scraping by as a handyman, he’s hired, reluctantly, by Brett to make improvements at his mother's house. Being near his first love awakens old feelings that Tony thought were buried forever, and he is irresistibly drawn to the stranger the years have turned Brett into.

A second chance at love

Together, Tony and Brett’s passion sets fire to both their lives and plans for the future. Past hurts are unburied, secrets are uncovered, and their lives will never be the same. For the first time in years, Tony feels he might have a future worth looking forward to, but only if Brett is willing to once again risk his heart.

Reunion is an extremely steamy standalone romance with HEA featuring two grown men who desperately need to find their way home, geographically misplaced waterfowl, and a town where just about anything might happen, and often does.



REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Reunion (The Oleander Chronicles #1), by Lynn Van Dorn, is everything I want in a romance!

The story is detailed, with many different facets, and an absolute emotional journey. I am impressed with Lynn's writing style, as it is written with heart, humor, and emotion. 

As it's essence, Reunion is a painful and emotional second chance story for two flawed characters. Through a misunderstanding, and a horrific event that took place years ago, the two have not spoken since. Upon meeting again, the misunderstandings and lack of knowledge are still in their way. And, unfortunately, Brett is still too angry to let Tony tell him the truth about that fated night when everything changed.

But men suffered that fated evening, so long ago, and both had the course of their lives forever altered. Tony was supposed to go on to college and play ball, but instead he is struggling as a handyman in his hometown. Meanwhile Brett, now a doctor, is back in town, on the tails of being dumped, and is having his mother's home restored.

Tony's character completely tugs at my heart-strings. His life is so far off course, and he is sad and lonely and just living without any hope. The story of his ex, as Tony starts to reflect upon it, is so painful and unexpected that I felt myself breaking inside.

This book contains misunderstandings, grudges, anger, and some explosive angry sex. It also contains one very homophobic cop, threats, some bigoted townspeople and an ex looking for a reunion.

Their journey towards a reunion is not an easy one. Both men are portrayed as having major flaws, and I like how the process of overcoming these flaws realistically took a long time. It was ugly, it was complex, and it was so darn worth the journey.

I am elated to have stumbled upon Reunion, and am highly impressed with Lynn's writing. Her ability to create such an emotional read, along with very layered and complex characters, is impressive. As well, there are some super side characters who are also well developed and contribute greatly to this story.

Throughout, I found myself getting frustrated, angry, swooning, and also laughing. 

Reunion is a great book for anyone who is looking for a complex and riveting romance.