Hot Seat (The Hot Cannolis #1) by Eli Easton & Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Wait. Can a Canali be gay?

Hero firefighter, youngest of six macho Italian brothers and—in love with Shane Bower, who never met a unicorn T-shirt he didn’t love? How does that even work?

When Mike Canali meets Shane Bower, his attraction to the guy is off the charts. But then his huge family and intense job full of rules and expectations intrude and he never calls.

Until they both get a medal—
and his mom falls in love with Shane at the ceremony—
and all of a sudden Shane’s all over his life, whether Mike likes it or not.

The butch Canali family face-to-face with sparkly Shane Bower? This is a wildfire of its own.

Shane worked damned hard to be who he is—fantastic, femme and in-your-face. He won’t compromise that, even to have the super-hot man of his dreams. But can he really ask Mike to give up his family and future just to have his fabulous self? Especially when he’s falling in love with the Canali family too?

HOT SEAT is a hot firefighter, big crazy family, coming out, opposites attract, forced proximity, romantic comedy—with all the feels. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Hot damn! Hot Seat is a fabulous romance by Eli Easton and Tara Lain. The first book in The Hot Cannolis series, this writing duo had me riveted throughout.

Shane and Mike's story is heartbreaking, yet beautiful. 

Shane's and out and proud man that one can't help but to fall in love with. He's femme and owns every moment of it. Mike, meanwhile, is a hot and sexy firefighter, who's sadly closeted. 

The emotions are front and center throughout, with the reader feeling every moment of Mike's worries, doubts, and fears. And omg, does Mike ever have a lot of these. 

Their story is hot, with amazing chemistry, while also being cute and funny at times. Of course, the angsty moments will leave your heart hurting and grabbing for a tissue.

A lot of this story revolves around family and family expectations. But ultimately, isn't it better to risk losing one's family to be happy in love?

The writing is fantastic, as I've come to expect from these authors. The characters fully come to life, are totally lovable, and their storyline will keep you invested throughout. 

Hot Seat is a great read. I love everything about this Eli Easton and Tara Lain gem. I am loving this series and can't wait to see what comes next. 

Canning the Center (Long Pass Chronicles #2) by Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link - old link

Is there a closet big enough to hold a football pro and a drag queen?

Jamal -- Posing as straight. Feigning affection for his teammate’s sister. Acting like he doesn’t despise his team’s owner.

Trevor -- Hiding his drag persona. Disguising his IQ. Pretending to be someone he’s not.

Jamal Jones, pro football center, and Trevor Landry, college student and drag queen, both fake their lives to keep from losing what they want. They even go so far as to let Trevor pretend to be a woman to convince Jamal’s team that he has a girlfriend.

If they drop their acts, Jamal can lose the promising football career he’s always wanted and Trevor could lose his scholarship.

But is having their dreams worth living a phony life? Or will they finally admit, what the really want is each other?

CANNING THE CENTER is a hiding the truth, secret enemies, forbidden love, toppy femme, MM romance.

Note: CANNING THE CENTER is a republication of an earlier work. Only the cover has changed.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Canning the Center is the second book in the Long Pass Chronicles series. I love everything about this Tara Lain sports romance and am thrilled it's being re-released. 

I love Jamal and Trevor. These men have a great story, with plenty of forbidden feelings and emotions throughout. 

Jamal's an NFL player who's bisexual and stuck playing for a homophobic coach. He's definitely stuck in a situation he doesn't want, unable to come out and having to deal with a coach he doesn't like.

And when he meets Trixie/Trevor, his world gets that much more complicated. 

Oh Trixie! Oh Trevor! I love these characters, both in and out of drag. And most of all, I absolutely find myself swooning over the fact that Trixie/Trevor is everything Jamal wants. Seriously, a bisexual man finding himself in love with a drag queen, and getting what he wants from both a female relationship and a male relationship. Omg. Love it!

Obviously, there's a lot going on in this story. It's bad enough that Jamal is closeted, but falling for Trixie/Trevor starts to make things more problematic. 

Canning the Center is a fabulous read. I have nothing but love for this Tara Lain gem. This tale is full of complex situations and is an emotional rollercoaster. It's a long road for these two to get to their happy ending, but don't worry, they do get there. 

 

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.  

Dressed in Desire (Club DeSires #1) by Quinn Ward

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

He left home to find acceptance. When he falls for a supposedly straight bouncer, can he awaken the man who's everything he needs?

Living in the shadows has always been easier for Maverick. One trip to Annandale was all it took for him to see what life could be like if he let both sides of his personality shine. After all, what good was a closet filled with pretty clothes and killer makeup skills if he couldn’t show them off?

His best friend thought he was crazy for moving cross-country, but it was exactly the move he needed to finally live in the light.

John’s known as the token straight guy at work. But can he claim that when one encounter with a pretty boy has haunted him for months? His attraction to men isn’t the only thing that’s fully awake after they meet again. Yes, he wants to see if he’s more than just bi-curious, but he also wants to be the one to take care of Maverick and show him how special he is.

When a chance encounter leads to a love John never expected, can he accept who he is and be the Daddy his boy deserves?

Dressed in Desire is the first book in the Club DeSires series, set in the kinky town of Annandale. While there are cameo appearances from characters in the other series, you can jump in wherever you are without a problem! This book features a bi-awakening for an older man, and the genderfluid boy who sometimes wants to be Daddy's princess. Together, they'll explore kinks that might be better left as fantasies... 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Dressed in Desire is the first book in Quinn Ward's Club DeSires series. And, damn, it's one hot tale. 

Maverick and John's story is riveting and all consuming. Both men are struggling with being who they really are. Maverick's struggling to start over, moving to a new place where he can be himself. John, meanwhile, works at the club but is struggling with his sexuality. 

There's a lot going on in this tale and I love the way it all unfolds. The men are wonderfully complex and make for an amazing couple. They definitely belong together and help one another, but their journey has some obstacles in it's way. 

I love Mav. He's a genderfluid man who has long struggled to find acceptance. Moving and joining the club definitely helps him to be himself. I adore the way John connects with him and completely supports his needs. 

John's struggles are a huge issue, as his brother has expectations and issues that make it hard for John to be himself. It's all well explored and an important part of his character, as well as adding a lot of tension to the storyline at parts. 

Their story is one with first times and some hot kink, including some super hot role play. And, wow, I am still thinking about that scene. It's beautifully done and extremely memorable. Just wow!

This is a wonderful tale of finding a place and a person who accepts and supports you as you are. It's about finding someone who understands you and can give you what you need.

Once again, I am in love with Quinn Ward's writing style and the world building. This series is a spin-off of The Lodge series and it's just perfectly done. 

Dressed in Desire is a beautiful story with some extremely emotional and beautiful scenes. I love everything about this Quinn Ward story and can't wait to see what comes next in this series. 

Pretty Wild (Boys in Makeup #3) by Riley Hart & Christina Lee

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

Clark
I see myself as mature and responsible for a twenty-four-year-old—I have a steady job, a comfortable apartment, and eventually I’ll find the right guy to settle down with. Some might find this boring, but at least I know what I want. That is, until reconnecting with a childhood companion flips my preconceived notions upside down. Skylar was my first real friend—my first crush too—and twelve years later, he’s still the same gorgeous and charismatic free spirit. I’m easily sucked back into his orbit, my protests futile when it comes to his amusingly harebrained ideas. I can’t let myself fall for him, though, because I’m searching for forever and he only wants casual.

Skylar
If you’re looking for a good time, I’m your guy. I love hookups, shaking my booty at the club, and having fun. I’ve seen how love can hurt and have mended too many broken hearts to risk my own.

Still, having Clark back in my life makes me feel grounded…and sort of mushy inside. It’s not only because his chunky glasses turn him into an adorably hot Clark Kent. It’s also how he makes me feel like I can be more. Which is why hooking up with him is a bad idea. But resisting him becomes impossible, and before I know it, each touch, kiss, and night spent together only makes me crave more.

We want different things, so there’s no way this will last. But Clark makes me consider breaking my rules and trying this boyfriend stuff for real. What’s a guy to do when his best friend steals the heart he’s afraid to give? I guess it comes down to potentially hurting him, or losing the only guy I’ve ever really wanted. Pretty wild, right?

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Pretty Wild is a fabulous addition to Riley Hart and Christina Lee's Boys in Makeup series. This whole series is spectacular!

Skylar and Clark's romance is a wonderful combination of friends to lovers and opposites attract.

Their romance is a long time coming. They were friends as kids but suddenly the two parted ways. Reconnecting via a Facebook message, their friendship immediately feels right again. 

There's a lot going on for these men. Not only is their friendship rekindled, but soon they are temporary roommates. And oh how I love the feelings this results in. Not just the physical desires, but also the feelings of the situation in general. Clark is generous and caring. And Skylar struggles with overstaying his welcome. And yes, there's plenty of unresolved feelings and attraction between the two as well.

They're such opposites. One wants love. One doesn't. One is rich. One isn't. One has a solid loving relationship with their mother. One doesn't. 

Both are amazing characters. Skylar is pretty, untamed and totally outgoing. He's a dancer at a club who leaves everyone mesmerized. And then there's Clark. He's serious, fancy, and proper. And he has a respectable job. Their personalities and lives couldn't be much further apart, but they definitely belong together and balance each other out. 

Skylar wants nothing to do with a relationship. His mother's issues have totally built a wall around his heart. Hell, one can't be heartbroken if they don't let love into their hearts, right? Clark meanwhile is looking for love and believes in happily ever afters.

As a couple, the chemistry is sizzling. Once they give into their desires, watch out.

The relationships and issues with both mothers is a large part of this story. Clark's mother is a snobby bitch. She doesn't want Clark involved with someone like Skylar. And of course she has never approved of Skylar's mother, who was a poor, teenage mom and floats from man to man. 

The writing is great, with two loveable characters and a slew of secondary characters who add immensely to the story. I love the whole crew of friends. 

Pretty Wild is a beautiful friends to lovers romance. I couldn't read this one fast enough. It's no surprise that this author duo has once again left me elated with one of their books. They excel, as usual, at creating charming characters who will delight you with their story. Everything about it is perfect and it will have you smiling, crying, laughing, and swooning. 

Deep Edge (Harrisburg Railers #3) by R.J. Scott & V.L. Locey

 

Amazon Link   

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One man’s passion, another man’s lies. Can love fix even the darkest of hearts?

Trent Hanson is a figure skating phenom adored by millions around the world. His whole life has been dedicated to the sport he loves even when the sport - and his own family - have turned against him. From the playground to the Olympics to his parent’s living room, Trent has fought against bullies and homophobes to be the out and proud gay man he is. But the constant fighting has left Trent tired, lonely, and skittish. All those fears will have to be shelved though when he’s hired to spend the summer working with the Harrisburg Railers ice hockey team. Who would have guessed that the man fate has decided to pair him off with is Dieter Lehmann, all-around sex god and a man who seems to have everything to prove and doesn’t care who he hurts to get what he wants.

Dieter has spent too many years languishing in the minors, and a secret addiction to prescription painkillers means his career is in a downward spiral. His ex is blackmailing him, and he’s close to walking away from it all. But when he’s called up in the run for the Stanley Cup to cover injuries he has a taste of what it’s like playing in the NHL, and he realizes that a place on the Railers’ roster is what he wants more than anything. More than listening to his heart, and even more than caring for the infuriating figure skater who gets under his skin. When he crosses the line to get what he wants, he knows he has lost his way. He has to change, but is it too late for both his career and any chance he might have at love?

Word Count: 51,000

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Deep Edge, the third book in the Harrisburgh Railers series, is wonderful. This is one of those series I could re-read often. I love it all. Each hockey book from RJ Scott and VL Locey is a one click for sure!

This is the story of Trent and Dieter. Trent's a flamboyant ice skater who hates hockey players. And Dieter's a hockey player with a substance abuse issue. 

The addition aspect is an ongoing issue for these men. Not only does Trent hate hockey players, he wants nothing to do with someone who has an addiction problem. And Dieter, well, let's just say Dieter has a lot of issues to deal with. 

Trent's family issues are sad, leaving him drowning in pain. He's dealt with a lot concerning his mother and stepfather and I'm impressed with the way this issue is ultimately dealt with. There are definitely fun moments though with his Lola. 

Of course the writing is great, with interesting characters and an intriguing storyline. There's some good banter and humor to help lighten things up from the serious subject matters at hand. This storyline coincides with the events from book two. The authors do a fantastic job retelling these events from a different perspective, without forcing a lot of duplication. 

Deep Edge is a great story. RJ Scott and VL Locey left me in love with these men and their tough stories. With some serious topics, including addiction and gambling issues, as well as forgiveness and trust, the story is a one sitting kind of tale. 

Your Kind of Man (HeavyLoad! #2) by J.J. Harper

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Jem Hayes has a penchant for lacy underwear and makeup.
Nate Allinson likes pretty men and spanking, preferably at the same time.

He doesn’t want a man for more than a scene.
He doesn’t want a warm body for more than one night.
He doesn’t want “more.”

Until Jem.

With his slim body and beautiful face, Jem pushes every one of Nate’s buttons.
After one night of passion and an empty bed in the morning, Nate knows Jem is the one.
Running out was the dumbest thing Jem could have done. He felt the connection but bolted all the same.

Fate brings them back together, but their relationship is put to the test when Jem’s ex returns.
Can Nate’s love heal Jem from his abusive past?

Your Kind Of Man is an MM romance and book two in the HeavyLoad! Series. It contains lots of lacy panties, numerous spankings, and plenty of sexy shenanigans.

The book can be read as a standalone but will be enhanced by reading book #1 My Kind of Man.

Warning: This book contains a small amount of violence.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Your Kind of Man is the second book in the Heavyload! series by JJ Harper. Book one, My Kind of Man, started the fun off with a hot age play read. This time we get a Daddy relationship that's not your typical Daddy read. 

The series can be read as standalones, but the characters are all friends and appear in each others books, so just read them all and enjoy!

Jem and Nate's story is hot from the start. These two definitely have some amazing chemistry. But their relationship isn't all easy going. 

Everything starts with a scene between them, and continues when they run into one another again. They naturally work scenes together well, and both find it all extremely hot. 

Neither man is looking for a relationship, but everything just sort of leads them in that direction. 

Jem is a pretty boy who loves lace, some makeup, fancy clothes, and heels. He's also a boy who's last relationship was abusive and has left him insecure about himself. He needs a Daddy in real life, and Nate is willing to try. But he struggles between being a Daddy versus a Dom. The angst that this brings about is natural and well explored, including the way Jem's past affects him with Nate.

I am impressed with the way the Daddy versus Dom is developed. It's not something I have read much of, and I found it interesting, as well as compelling. The result of their journey is some major character growth. 

Jem and Nate are intense with their love. Their need, want, and connection jumps off the pages. 

This tale has a major off page trigger, so avoid if rape is a hard no for you. 

Your Kind of Man is a beautiful tale of learning to balance your boy's needs. JJ Harper perfectly explores the fine line between being a boy's Dom versus being his Daddy. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique Daddy romance. 

His for Hanukkah (Traditions #1) by Reese Morrison

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Most people like vacations. And Christmas. They both make Adam want to scream. And kick things. Anxious, lonely, Jewish, and in serious need of a Daddy, Adam finally loses it in the lobby of his favorite BDSM club--right in front of the guy he's been crushing on.

Tate's been dreaming about Adam for a long time. Trying to pick him up for a scene seemed to scare him away, and he worries that Adam wasn't as accepting of his transgender status as he'd hoped. But when the sobbing boy seeks comfort in his arms, he hopes this can be another chance.

When Tate learns how invisible Adam feels being Jewish during "the holiday season," he sets out to win his boy over by making him his for Hanukkah. He plans to spoil him with eight nights of affection, laughter, and submission, showing Adam that he can be the Daddy that he deserves. But will it be enough for Tate to keep him after the holiday's over?

The Traditions series follows the Jewish calendar in making old traditions new and bringing romance to life. The series features many transgender, genderqueer, and gender-bending characters, as well as BDSM elements. As the series is united by a theme rather than characters, the books may be read in any order.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

His For Hanukkah is a wonderful holiday romance. This Reese Morrison book is the first in the Traditions series. 

From the start, I enjoyed the writer's voice, making it easy to get sucked into this story. 

Adam and Tate's story has a lot of layers. Adam desperately wants a Daddy in his life. Tate's attracted to the young femme man, but still struggles with being accepted, as he's trans. They're two men with an equal attraction, and some miscommunication in their pasts. 

Adam's a brat who's never found his Daddy, till now. I love his brat side when it comes out. And he's about to get the best gift ever - a daddy for Hanukkah. 

This is a tale with plenty of heat, lots of emotions, and some tender romance. The sex is hot, with some spanking, a St Andrews cross, and more. But it's the relationship that I love. It develops over the holiday, with the feelings becoming all too real, and it's perfectly beautiful. 

One of the overwhelming feelings throughout is that of Tate and his trans status. I love that he finds the man he loves accepts him as is, and actually sees the benefits of Tate being trans.

The author also adds in a lot of information about the history and culture of the Jewish community. It's well done, adding in info here and there, resulting in me learning a lot. As for the Happy Holidays term, the author is spot on.

His for Hanukkah is sweet, with just a little bit of angst, and will leave you excited for the holidays. Reese Morrison definitely had me riveted by these men and their story.

Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns (Cowboys Don't #2) by Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link  - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Does it make sense to get turned on by girly guys when you want to be topped? No. Hell, no.

After a big past in bull riding that nearly killed him, Danny Boone’s looking for a quiet, low-key future on a small ranch of his own.

Two problems.
Where’s he going to get the money for a ranch except on the back of a bull?

And how can he stay low-key when his fantasy is a guy with rose-gold hair, legs for days, a high-profile decorating business, and an appetite for expensive lace lingerie?

Designer, Laurie Belmont needs to get out from under the thumb of a domineering mother, helpless father, and rich, privileged boyfriend. He can’t solve his problems with a two-bit cowboy who’s going to die getting thrown from a bull -- no matter how perfect his ass is.

Talk about lives that are worlds apart.

Everybody knows cowboys don’t ride unicorns.

COWBOYS DON’T RIDE UNICORNS is a toppy femme, bull-riding cowboy, opposites-attract, hidden identity, world’s colliding, dysfunctional family, guest ranch vacation, MM romance – with a red bustier. 

My Rating - 3.5 Stars!

Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns is a fun opposites attract romance. Tara Lain's second book in the Cowboys Don't series, it's easily read as a standalone. 

If you like opposites attract, this one is certainly that. This is a tale of a bull rider and femme designer falling for one another. It's a tale of a tough and badass bull rider who wants to be topped. 

It all starts when Laurie and his boyfriend Grove are guests at the ranch where Danny works. The heat starts when Danny gets hot listening to Laurie and Grove have sex. Ohhh...love this scene.

One of the best parts of this story is the sexual awakening for Danny, as he never knew he was into femme boys, until he sees the sparkly Laurie. 

If you like men in lingerie, like I do, you will love this one. There's corsets and lace, and plenty of kinky moments. I can't get enough of Laurie and his femme side.

Their meeting is wonderful and I adore the way the two hit it off quickly and easily connect. Adding to the intrigue is that neither man is ultimately representative of their career or appearance. 

There's plenty of conflict for the men, including homophobia and family issues, from both sides, including a controlling mother.  The feelings of inadequacy  and desires that need to be toned down is well done. 

This one definitely gets off to a slow start, but I am glad I kept reading. I think in the end though, the pace is what kept the rating under a 4 for me. I love the storyline, just not the pace. 

Cowboys Don't Ride Unicorns is a  nice story of finding oneself and setting oneself free of expectations. Tara Lain entertains in this story of finding happiness and grabbing ahold of it. It's a sweet, hurt/comfort romance.