Bed Warmer (Friends of Friends #2) by Jennifer Luxe

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

Kade

My luck with finding a steady, committed relationship is so bad it should be in a record book. Not only did my last serious boyfriend use me to cheat on his girlfriend, but this other guy I’m in love with that I’ve known practically my whole life can’t see me as anything more than a fuck buddy. Well, I’m done with trying to find a guy to be with long-term. Screw commitment, it only causes heartbreak.

Damon Vance is exactly what I need. Initially, we’re both looking for a one-night stand, but the scorching heat and chemistry between us are hard to forget. He needs someone who can keep a secret, namely the one about his marriage being a sham, and I need someone who can’t give me anything more than sex. Problem is, my heart is getting more and more invested the longer we spend together. On top of that, there’s a surprisingly sweet side to Damon that’s tearing up my resolve and making it hard to remember that I’m just his bed warmer.

Damon

When I met Kayden Lee for the first time in a club, all I saw was a gorgeous man with long hair, tattoos, and a sunshine smile. From that first glance, I knew I had to spend the night with him. Sparks fly between us and the chemistry is off the charts, but there’s a problem: my wedding’s the next day, and Kade is a guest. He’s also the younger brother of one of my employees, an important fact I didn’t know when I picked him up at the club.

Despite the complications, our one-night stand turns into a mutually beneficial arrangement that has me wanting as much of Kade as I can get. I never thought I’d actually want to be committed to someone, but Kade is changing my mind faster than I thought possible. Suddenly, this marriage of convenience isn’t so convenient, and the person I really want seems determined to keep me from loving him like he deserves.

**Bed Warmer is a full-length M/M romance novel featuring a found family that keeps growing, even more tattooed hotties, and a hookup that leads to a HEA. This is the second book in the Friends of Friends series and can be read as a standalone. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Bed Warmer is the second book in the Friends of Friends series. This Jennifer Luxe tale is easily read as a standalone. 

Kade and Damon make for a nice read, with the attraction being there from the start. They start with a hook up and slowly end up as more. 

I love these two together. They each support the other nicely and things between them just feel so right. 

This one involves a married man who's in a fake relationship. I can't get enough of how supportive Damon's wife is. I love the relationship they have and that she's there to support him throughout. 

Yes, some may hate the marriage aspect of this story, but I just love the way this whole story develops. The marriage adds so much to Damon's character and the obstacles they face along the way.

The writing if great, with some wonderful characters, including some nice secondary characters.I love the found family aspect, which is always a nice thing to read. And in this case, it's a well rounded group of people who add a lot to the story. 

Bed Warmer is one of those books that feel into my lap exactly when I needed it most. I love everything about this Jennifer Luxe story and found myself devouring it as quickly as I could.

Tempt Me (Rebel Mechanics #4) by A.T. Brennan

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU 
Goodreads Link

After a life of hiding, can I find the courage to be myself?

Being single, an introvert, and closeted has made my life lonely. The only bright parts are my coworkers at Rebel Mechanics and my volunteer work with a cat rescue.

In a moment of desperation, I sign up for a dating app, hoping to finally make a connection with someone. Despite me not exactly having stellar social skills, I find myself opening up to a virtual stranger in ways I never have before. What is happening here?

Then a new guy is hired at the garage, Jude. He’s funny, outgoing, and a genuinely nice person. He looks past my shyness and awkwardness, and for reasons I can’t understand, he wants to be friends. It feels like there’s something between us, but that can’t be. He’s straight, and to the outside world, so am I.

Then there’s SinBin7, the guy I’ve been chatting with online. He makes me want to take chances. To share all of myself with him, even though we’ve never met or seen each other’s faces. He feels familiar, like we’ve known each other forever. But then again, so does Jude.

How can I be drawn to two men at the same time? And more importantly: how do I choose?

Tempt Me is a steamy 89k word, grumpy/sunshine, hurt/comfort story featuring coworkers who start as friends, a found family, some scene-stealing cats, and all the feels. It is book four in the Rebel Mechanics series but can be read as a standalone.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Tempt Me is the fourth book in the Rebel Mechanics series. This AT Brennan tale is a great addition to this world. 

Wes and Jude make for a great couple. Their story is compelling and I enjoy the character development. 

It's an opposites attract romance between the somewhat awkward Wes and his outgoing and lively coworker Jude. There's instant attraction but Wes won't let anything happen. 

This is a story where they become friends slowly in person, as well as online, without knowing it. I actually really enjoy the way this plays out. It doesn't have any of the looming doom or angst normally involved. But it's adorable that they are falling for each other in real life, as well as falling for someone else online. 

Both men are closeted, but for different reasons. They're both well developed, with their reasons for being closeted are fully explored. I enjoy the way things progress between them, and their chemistry is undeniable. 

The writing is great, as I've come to expect from this series. And I'm left impressed with the way the author explores the issues of both men. Everything is written and handled with care and compassion. 

Trust Me is a co-worker romance with some sweetness and heat. This AT Brennan tale kept me entertained throughout. 

Suddenly Beck (Belong to Me #1) by Vawn Cassidy

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU ?????
Goodreads Link

A surprisingly sweet, sinfully sexy, and deliciously hilarious romp along the Cornish coast.

Nathan Elliott has run away from home at the age of twenty-six. His teenage rebellion may have come ten years late, but better late than never. Leaving behind a world of wealth and privilege, and a strict patriarchal family that would never except a gay son, he’s ready to embrace life and make up for lost time, but nothing’s ever that simple. A coin toss, a delayed train, and a wrong bus later, and Nat finds himself in a small bay in Cornwall being hauled out of the ocean by a gorgeous stranger and wondering how the hell his life got so off track.

Beck Ainsley lives life by a very simple ethos, don’t get attached, don’t get involved and don’t fall in love. He’s been there, done that and got the t-shirt that reads I’m a gullible idiot. Now, he keeps his life simple; all he needs is his dog, his art, his rambling sea cottage overlooking the bay and a few choice waves to surf. He’s not looking for love or commitment, but when he ends up plucking a posh boy from London with incredible blue eyes from the ocean, Cupid doesn’t just shoot him with an arrow, he decides to club him senseless with the bow too.

One simple agreement. A summer fling, a chance to act on the insane attraction between them with no strings attached, and at the end of the summer they walk away.
There’s just one problem, fate is a fickle and capricious creature, and she has no intention of letting them walk away unscathed. They’re about to discover that sometimes the heart wants, what the heart wants…


From author Wendy Saunders writing as Vawn Cassidy, comes this hot and sweet, first time, MM romance that will leave you laughing out loud and fanning yourself from the heat…

Can be read as a Standalone

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Suddenly Beck is the first book in the Belong to Me series by Vawn Cassidy. It's a wonderful, feel good read set in Cornwall.

From the start, this story pulled me in. We meet Nathan under some circumstances that leave him struggling and confused. 

As he says, he's off to find something better. "...I didn't know where I wanted to go, I just knew where I didn't want to be." And thus starts his tale. 

Nathan and Beck are great together. I enjoy the way they meet and the natural way things evolve for them. I love that Nat helps Beck's family while they help him in return. It's all heart-warming and sweet. These men are perfect together and I just love the way they compliment one another.

I love this little small town and all the charming characters, such as Molly. There are so many secondary characters who fully come to life and add to the fun. The setting is wonderful and I could easily imagine living there. But best of all, is the way the town, and Beck's family take Nat in, making him a part of this supportive community and big family. 

Written in alternating first person pov, the author fully brings the characters to life. It's definitely more detailed than I needed. For example, I didn't find the detailed surfing lessons necessary and found myself skipping forward. 

Suddenly Beck is a wonderful small town romance. I am happy with this Vawn Cassidy read and can't wait to see what happens next in this sweet series. This is perfect the next time you're looking for a sweet, small town romance. 

RELEASE BLITZ, EXCERPT, GIVEAWAY & REVIEW - Right as Raine (Aster Valley #1) by Lucy Lennox

Release Blitz, Excerpt & Giveaway:

Right As Raine

By Lucy Lennox 

Aster Valley, Book 1

Tiller: 

As the first openly gay professional football player, I can’t afford to make any mistakes, on or off the field. And the absolute biggest mistake I could make right now would be to fall for Mikey Vining, my best friend, employee and, more importantly, Coach’s baby boy. I might fantasize about Mikey at night-—every night—but actually touching him would be a serious personal foul. 

And falling for him? That’s completely out of bounds. 

Mikey: 

I’ve learned my lesson about falling for one of my dad’s players. They’re a bunch of spoiled jocks with more muscles than brains. I’ve spent years learning to keep my eyes, and my hands, to myself. But resisting the temptation becomes nearly impossible when Tiller Raine and I end up together in a small cabin in a remote Colorado town. 

Suddenly, there’s not much to do but look at each other. And talk. And hopefully, hopefully touch. 

But what happens when our stay in Aster Valley is over and it’s time to return to the real world? Will Coach blow the whistle on our relationship? Or will Tiller admit there might actually be something he loves more than football after all? 

Amazon

Goodreads

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My Rating - 5+ Stars!

Omg, a Lucy Lennox sports romance!!!! Right as Raine is absolutely fabulous. A sports romance, it's also the start of the small town Asher Valley series.

I have to note that the cover doesn't work for me. The font of the author's name is more of a regency look than a sports or small town look. It doesn't work for this book. But, as they say, don't judge a book by it's cover.

Again, omg, a sports romance by Lucy Lennox. I am in awe!

This book had me riveted from the first page and had me consumed throughout. I could barely breathe at times, as I was so on edge. 

I love Mikey and all his layers. His family issues made me want to hug him. The expectations on him, and his father's control over him had me angry. His father is downright evil. But, damn, I love Mikey's spirit and his talent. He's truly a remarkable character. 

Mikey's in awe when he meets Tiller. Having grown up around athletes, he's never been in awe of one. Until now. Hired on as Tiller's personal chef, what follows is an amazing story.

Friendship is at the root of this relationship. Mikey and Teller are wonderful together. Full of banter, snark, and plenty of attraction, I love the way the two men mesh. It's shocking that they managed to stay just friends for so long.

But, with an injury, and a month away to the small town of Aster Valley, the extreme forced proximity helps things to finally get steamy between the two.

I love Tiller. Good god, I would love his coming of age/coming out tale. As for what we do know, Oh man...he's an out and proud NFL player, but his struggles with trust are real. And his lack of a love life all these years made me so sad for him. 

And, oh, Mikey. I adore that his love language is food, and that he shows Tiller his love everyday. 

God, I love everything about this story. I love the way the two men interact and their development into more. I love the sports aspect, the forbidden relationship, the small town, the angst, the family issues, and all the secondary characters. 

Basically, everything about this story works for me. I could not put it down. Even through the big ugly tears, chocked up, sobbing. Yes, Lucy made me cry!

The forbidden romance aspect is powerful, as Mikey is the youngest son of Tiller's coach. Coach is an ass, who's tough on Mikey and treats him like shit, making for plenty of devestating moments. His feelings about Mikey and Tiller being together is tough to read. 

And let's not forget about Aster Valley. This small town and all it's charm is fully brought to life. I love everything about this small town. And I adore the way Mikey feels at home here from the start. It's as feel good as it gets. 

Right as Raine is a spectacular sports / small town romance. Lucy Lennox is a leading author in her genre, but this just might be my favorite of hers. I lived and breathed every single moment with these men and I loved every minute of it. 

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Lord of a Thousand Steps (Love in Laguna #4) by Tara Lain

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

“I’m going to remind you what it’s like to be twenty-one.”

When Ian Carney’s perfect boyfriend turns out to be a rat, and his internship in architecture morphs into an emergency round of babysitting for his gorgeous boss Braden Lord’s kids, Ian gets a dose of real-life real fast.

Braden’s two kids idolize Ian and his cat, and they’re pretty disappointed to find him in their dad’s bed.
But Braden’s ex-wife is delighted to have grounds for sole custody.
Just how much reality can a twenty-one-year old handle?

Still, he might be young, but Ian’s the one with all the experience – in bed and in life. He’s just got to prove he’s serious about wanting an “old guy” with a mountain of baggage -- and he’s willing to take the thousand steps to get him.

LORD OF A THOUSAND STEPS is a MM, age-gap, boss/employee, sexy babysitter, single-dad, late-coming-out, custody battle romance – with the world’s most fabulous cat.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Lord of a Thousand Steps is another wonderful read by Tara Lain. The fourth book in the Love in Laguna series, it's definitely best enjoyed if you read the books in order. 

The differences between Braden and Ian are ever present, starting with the fact that they're in different parts of their lives. Braden's in the middle of a divorce, fighting for custody of his kids. He's a successful businessman who's spent his life in the closet, until now. On the other hand, Ian's a poor, young college student who's trying to get some work experience via his internship. After having just found his brother in an earlier book, his dream is to have a real family but his boyfriend is toying with him. 

The boss/employee aspect is intriguing, but I enjoy that it isn't the overriding angst-causing factor that it often is in romances. Instead, the angst primarily revolves around Braden's custody battle. 

I love and adore Braden's kids and the way Ian gets along with them. They're great kids; cute, realistic, and never bratty or over the top. Their presence just adds to the fun. My favorite part has to be the way the daughter falls for Anderson. From the start, this part is just precious. 

As for the exes, they're infuriating. I can't stand Braden's ex, and Ian's boyfriend can rot in hell. Poor Ian is blindsided in a heartbreaking way. It's annoying that Ian's so naive, but of course his desperate desire for a family makes it understandable. 

Personally, I like the way Braden's coming out is handled. He's older and just now realizing his regrets and guilt about having been closeted. He definitely regrets having used his wife and letting her live in an unfulfilled marriage. But he's also eternally grateful for the fact that his marriage gave him his children. He loves them immensely and will do anything to be able to have custody of them. 

As for the work the men do, I love the way Ian's architecture ideas come to life and are easy to picture in one's mind. I like his creativity and the way he impresses everyone.

Written in alternating 3rd person pov, the author gives both men a voice;  easily bringing both to life. The addition of previous characters greatly adds to the charm, as everyone continues to be interwoven. And damn, I really enjoy the previous men!

Lord of a Thousand Steps is a fantastic read. Tara Lain entertains with a great mix of fluff and emotion in this out for you romance. The found family theme is heavy with this one and will warm your heart, especially Anderson!!