Plus One Bonus (Table Topped #4) by Alex Silver

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

Our relationship is fake, but my feelings are growing more real by the day.

Max sweeps me off my feet at our bus stop. He becomes my friend. Then, just when I think he might be into me, he throws me a curve ball by asking me to be his fake date to a wedding. He claims his buddies won’t leave him alone about finding a plus one. The catch is, the ceremony is months away, so we’ll have to be pretend datemates for a while.

I suspect there’s more going on than Max’s inability to handle confronting his meddlesome friends. Especially once I meet them all and see how much they care about Max. I keep going around in circles trying to figure out how he truly feels about me, all the while trying not to fall for him.

Plus One Bonus is the fourth book in the Table Topped series. It is an M/X (genderfluid) romance between Max, the newest member of his gaming group who misses home, has a secret penchant for manties, and can’t handle confrontation and Si/Simon/Simone, a snarky genderfluid tea seller.

CW: History of neglectful parents and parental abandonment, a side character’s infertility struggles are mentioned.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Plus One Bonus is a great addition to the Table Topped series. The fourth book in this Alex Silver series, it's definitely best read as a part of the series to get the full experience of the friend group. 

As with the entire series, Max and Si's relationship involves plenty of gaming moments. These aren't my favorite scenes, but I do love the friendships in the group, with the banter and sarcasm. 

And of course, Max's friends are the reason everything starts with Si/Simon/Simone as Max needs a fake relationship to get his friends to back off from setting him up.

I adore the way everything unfolds for these two. Slow burn is the key here though, as the two start falling quickly, but take a while to admit it. 

The gender fluid aspect is extremely well done. I absolutely love and appreciate every moment of this element. Si/Simon/Simone. The way the author writes all three is fabulous. The reader can clearly feel the differences along with the characters. If you're ever looking for a great gender fluid character, look no further.

I love the way Max deals with and react to Si's different gender feels, and handles it supremely well. The two are clearly wonderful together. 

Plus One Bonus is a fun fake relationship romance. Alex Silver definitely delivers with this sweet story. 

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. 

Love Lessons (Love Language #2) by Reese Morrison

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

“Come here,” Dustin repeated, his dark eyes serious.
Landon put his hands on his hips and stood his ground. “Make me.”
He knew he was acting like a petulant teenager, but this was Dustin. And with Dustin, he felt safe.
Please, he thought, please, please make me.

Landon doesn’t need anyone. So he’s confident that when he offers to train a nervous, sexy Dom, nothing will come of it.
But Dustin has some things to teach him, too. Because Dustin uses sign language and asks him questions that no one else bothers to ask. Because Dustin wants him, no matter how he presents his gender. Because when Landon rebels, Dustin’s there to keep him in line. And when Dustin makes him obey, it feels real.
Real enough to call Dustin his Daddy.
But these are just lessons, right?

Love Lessons has a nervous new Dom, a confident and genderfluid sub who offers to train him, age play with a middle, a bit of angst, and plenty of sign language. Love Lessons and Love Limits share intertwined characters and timelines, and should be read together.

This expanded edition features a new cover and over 15,000 new words including multiple new and enhanced scenes throughout the book. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Reese Morrison's Love Lessons, the second book in the Love series, is fabulous. 

As in Love Language, the author packs a punch with the complexity of everything tackled in this book. It deals with deafness, ASL, gender-fluidity, BDSM, age play, asexuality, and more. Any of these aspects would have made an interesting read on their own. But, weaving them all together is extraordinary. 

It's impressive the way that the author handles Landon, who's a multi-layered character. He can't hear, he's gender fluid, desperately needs age play, and has a lot to learn. I adore the way Landon/Nina switches ages and gender so easily. But even better, is the way that Dustin recognizes the change instantly. 

And in a fascinating move, Dustin has an auditory processing disorder, which amps up the importance of ALS and communication in this amazing read. 

This story includes a kink club and plenty of kink, including sensory depravation. But, seriously, imagine the issues these two men face with their hearing problems during DBSM, and everything is increased tenfold. 

Landon is so damn confident in his sexuality, but he's also unaware of what he wants sexually. With Dustin's help, Landon's able to figure out what works for him, as the two struggle to figure out what works for them together.

Poor Dustin is so damn weighed down by his past. He struggles to trust himself, as well as trusting a sub. It's a complex issue and it's beautiful in the way it's handled.

This is a story of facing fears and taking chances. It includes sexual exploration and relationship struggles. They are so close, but struggle to make things work. 

In addition to everything else that is tackled in this book, the author also adds in an emotional issue with Landon teaching deaf students. It's a terrific storyline on it's own, and adds tremendously to this tale. 

Overall, Love Lessons is a fantastic read. Definitely check it out when you're looking for a BDSM read with a complex storyline and even complex characters. 

Love Lessons (Love #2) by Reese Morrison

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

“Come here,” Dustin repeated, his dark eyes serious.
Landon put his hands on his hips and stood his ground. “Make me.”
He knew he was acting like a petulant teenager, but this was Dustin. And with Dustin, he felt safe.
Please, he thought, please, please make me.

Landon doesn’t need anyone. So he’s confident that when he offers to train a nervous, sexy Dom, nothing will come of it.

But Dustin has some things to teach him, too. Because Dustin uses sign language and asks him questions that no one else bothers to ask. Because Dustin wants him, no matter how he presents his gender. Because when Landon rebels, Dustin’s there to keep him in line. And when Dustin makes him obey, it feels real.

Real enough to call Dustin his Daddy.

But these are just lessons, right?

Love Lessons has a nervous new Dom, a confident and genderfluid sub who offers to train him, age play with a middle, a bit of angst, and plenty of sign language. This book is the second in the Love Language series, but it can be read alone.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Reese Morrison's Love Lessons, the second book in the Love series, is fabulous. 

As in Love Language, the author packs a punch with the complexity of everything tackled in this book. It deals with deafness, ASL, gender-fluidity, BDSM, age play, asexuality, and more. Any of these aspects would have made an interesting read on their own. But, weaving them all together is extraordinary. 

It's impressive the way that the author handles Landon, who is a multi-layered character. He can't hear, he's gender fluid, desperately needs age play, and has a lot to learn. And in a fascinating move, Dustin has an auditory processing disorder, which amps up the importance of ALS and communication in this amazing read. 

This story includes a kink club and plenty of kink, including sensory depravation. But, seriously, imagine the issues these two men face with their hearing problems during DBSM, and everything is increased tenfold. 

This is a story of facing fears and taking chances. It includes sexual exploration and relationship struggles. They are so close, but struggle to make things work

In addition to everything else that is tackled in this book, the author also adds in an emotional issue with Landon teaching deaf students. It's a terrific storyline on it's own, and adds tremendously to this tale. 

Overall, Love Lessons is a fantastic read. Definitely check it out when you're looking for a BDSM read with a complex storyline and even complex characters. 

BLOG TOUR & REVIEW - A Fluid State by Rob Browatzke

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: A Fluid State

Author: Rob Browatzke

Publisher: Self Published

Cover Artist: Alexandria Corza

Release Date: January 3, 2020

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s: Gay for You/Out for You

Heat Rating: 5 flames 

Length: 70 000 words/272 pages

It is a standalone book.

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Goodreads Link

Patrick and Andrew find themselves faced with a chemistry they cannot deny

Blurb

Patrick returns from a tour of duty to find his son very different. Peter is dressing in girl's clothes, and his hair is too long, and he's obsessed with drag queens. None of that sits well with Patrick. Patrick then meets the drag queen Ann Moore, and starts to hang out with them.

Andrew is one of River City's best drag queens. As Ann Moore, he dazzles adults and children alike. When one of those children's fathers wants to find out more about what his son is enjoying, Andrew is happy to guide him. It doesn't hurt that Patrick is ridiculously hot. Hot and straight though.

The friendship that forms is unlikely, and even more unlikely, Patrick and Andrew find themselves faced with a chemistry they cannot deny.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Rob Browatzke's A Fluid State is a beautiful story. 

Home from Afghanistan, Patrick's the typical macho, straight man who's struggling with his son Peter's clothing choices. Then he meets Andrew, a drag queen who helps Patrick understand Peter better. 

I adore how supportive Patrick's ex wife is about Peter. And I'm enamored by the development of Patrick's acceptance and support. He's the perfect illustration of being uncomfortable with something one doesn't understand. As he gets to know Andrew, he slowly starts to open his eyes to why someone is femme, and that it's okay to be femme. The author expertly explores that one's clothes doesn't define them, and I love every minute.

This is a story of fear and confusion. It has some super hot first times, as Patrick has never been with a man before. And damn, there's plenty of steam.

I love the author's writing style. He treats the issue of gender fluidity with understanding and care. The dialogue is fantastic and the characters are well developed, with their feelings jumping off the page.

In the end, I find that A Fluid State is one of those books that should be read by everyone. Not necessarily for the romance, although that part is fantastic, but because it's a wonderful story of acceptance and understanding. After all, "We are what we are." Rob Browatzke excels in carrying out a tender lesson while never making it feel preachy. I can't recommend this one enough.

Excerpt

“So,” Andrew said, when they were relocated back to the couch, sitting facing each other, beers in hand.

“So.”

“First off, let me, well, set you straight on something. Kent and I aren’t dating, so don’t feel bad about that.”

“Good,” Patrick said. “I’d hate to have some gay guy come at me for hitting on his boyfriend.”

“Is that what it was? You hitting on me?”

Patrick looked away. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Well, what’s going on in that head of yours?”

“You,” he said. “You’re going on in my head. You and only you. Ever since we met. I thought it was all about Peter, but no, it’s about me. You’ve gotten under my skin, Andrew, and I don’t know how to get you out of me.” Their eyes locked. “And honestly, I’m not sure I want you gone.”

“But you’re straight.”

“I’ve always thought that. I’ve never been attracted to a guy before this.”

“Never? Not even in school? Some guys experiment, you know.”

“Never. I’ve looked back and there’s never been anything to make me think I’d ever be into a guy.”

“So you’re into me?”

Patrick’s face turned pink and he looked away. “I don’t know. Yes. Yes, I am.” He swallowed hard and looked back at Andrew. “Look, I know this is out of the blue, and I know what you said at the pool, and-”

“What did I say at the pool?”

“That, you know, that you’re not attracted to me.”

It was Andrew’s turn to blush and look away. “Well, since you’re being honest, I guess I should be too. Patrick, of course I’m attracted to you. You... well, look at you. I just said that to set your mind at ease. I was enjoying hanging out. I am enjoying it. I didn’t want you to freak out thinking I found you attractive or worried that I was going to try to jump you.”

“And it ended up being me that jumped at you.”

Andrew looked at him and grinned. “Seems that way.”

“So.”

“So.”

“Here we are then, both attracted to each other. What do we do now?”

About the Author 

Rob Browatzke has been writing for as long as he can remember, and is pretty darn excited for someone else to be reading his stuff finally! When it comes to gay bars and booze and drugs and drama, he knows what he's talking about. He came out in the mid-90s, and liquor and drama went hand in hand. He has 20+ years of experience working in gay clubs in Edmonton, Alberta, and you’ll always find his love for his other career permeating the stories he tells. Rob is now 9+ years clean and sober, although there's still a bit of drama once in a while, for old times' sake. 

Rob loves the growing market for gay fiction and m/m romance. There are some incredible authors out there, and it's important to be able to see in print (or on the screen) stories about people just like us. Coming out, our relationships, the issues we face, we all have stories to tell. And this book is just one of the stories coming out of Wonderland. 

Feel free to stalk him online. He’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @robbrowatzke.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter @robbrowatzke | Instagram @robbrowatzke

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

Some Girls Bind by Rory James

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Jamie knows that she isn't like other girls. She has a secret. She binds her chest every day to feel more like herself. Jamie questions why she is drawn to this practice and why she is afraid of telling her friends, who have their own secrets. Could she really be genderqueer?

Review 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Rory James' Some Girls Bind is a great young adult novel.

Jaime has a secret, that they binds their chest everyday. This action helps them to feel more comfortable in her body. 

In this wonderful exploration of gender fluidity, Jaime binds to try to be more comfortable with their body. They don't feel right as a boy or a girl. The author does a great job illustrating this struggle of body dysphoria and coming to terms with one's nonbinary awareness. 

Rory James truly does a spectacular job writing this tale. It's gripping from the start. Written in first person pov, the reader easily understands the main character. 

Some Girls Bind is a great story that involves coming out, hiding, and identity issues. It's an accomplished tale of the everyday, constant divide between genders. This is a must read for any teen questioning their gender identity.

Four (Love by Numbers #2) by Tia Fielding

* Updated 2-11-2020 with new edition *

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

A Love by Numbers Story When unlikely attraction blossoms between a twentysomething genderqueer tattoo artist and an older, small-town veterinarian, both are forced to face their pasts for a chance at a loving future. Four years ago Padraig Donovan lost his husband, the only man he’d ever been with. Now his life consists of the work he loves, a big empty house, and the possibility of a lonely future. Kaos’s experiments with makeup landed him in the hospital at the hands of his disapproving ex. With nowhere else to turn, he flees to Acker, Wisconsin… and runs into a sexy widower and the kindest man he’s ever met. Padraig and Kaos know there’s something worth exploring between them, and as they raise a puppy and deal with the ups and downs of their respective jobs, they fit into each other’s lives in ways they never expected. Being with Kaos—who is so different than the guys he’s always been attracted to—opens up an exciting new world for Padraig. But can he convince Kaos to trust another man with his body… let alone his heart?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Tia Fielding's Four is an stunning book. Despite taking me a while to really get into this story, it's amazing.

Tia Fielding excels at warming my heart with these two unlikely lovers. The pace is slow, but for this story it works. With a thoughtful and sensitive tone, it's slow without being too descriptive.

Padraig's reaction to the beautiful, non-binary Kaos is immediate and strong. Having never been attracted to a feminine person, I love his acceptance of Kaos' clothes, makeup, and lace. Their age difference is also wonderful and a very entertaining. In different stages of life, these two men coming together just warms my heart.

Pad and Kaos, both victims of hatred, come together to free one another. Pad's been lonely and feeling old while missing his ex husband. He's lost and doesn't know how to move forward. With Kaos' help, he's a man learning to move on from his grief. Kaos has struggled with acceptance and with Pad's help, Kaos is a man learning to free himself of his past. It's fantastic, entertaining, and heart-warming.

The sexual tension is high throughout, and once they get together, you won't be disappointed.

There's so much depth to this novel. Not just a romance, it focuses on non-binary issues, repressed homophobia, sexual confusion, and abuse. It focuses on cheating and grief, pain and hurt, racism and bigotry. 

One of my favorite aspects of this tale is the slow burn development. Their friendship and connection grows quickly, but they are each treating their attraction with caution. I respect the hell out of this. Both men have been hurt in the past, and I appreciate their ability to take things slow. These two broken men need to slowly heal, and recover from their scars, before truly moving forward.

And, wow, if you like puppies, you will love their little pup. There's some serious cuteness involved.

Overall, I highly recommend Four. Tia Fielding excels in creating a meaningful story full of pain, hurt, healing, and love. It's a beautiful story, but definitely one to be read when you're looking for a serious, slow read.