The Secret Thing (The Blackburn Brothers Duet #2) by E.M. Denning

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Blurb

On the cusp of starting college, Christian Blackburn has had enough of his meddling, helicopter mother. He lucks into a room in a gorgeous house close to campus and away from the noise of dorm living. His landlord, Brandon, is a surprise. It doesn’t matter to Christian that Brandon is twice his age. He’s good looking, kind, a hell of a cook, and he doesn’t treat Christian any different because of his seizures. 

If only Brandon wanted him back. 

Brandon Hayes is comfortably divorced, but his life would be better if well-meaning people kept their nose out of his affairs. To ease his ex-wife’s concern that he’s living in a house far too big for just one person, he takes on a roommate. 

The much younger Christian is smart and charming. He’s older than his years, and his presence in Brandon’s life wakes something up inside he’s kept hidden from everyone. Having Christian around reminds Brandon of his attraction to men, a pull he can’t ignore. 

One kiss changes everything. 

Their chemistry is off the charts and their lives fit together in a way they never expect them to. Battling the age difference, a nosy parent, and the fear that people won’t accept them as a couple, they agree to keep their relationship secret. After a tumultuous weekend away, Christian decides that he wants Brandon by his side, and doesn’t care who knows about them. But what will happen once all Brandon’s secrets are out in the open?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

EM Denning's The Secret Thing, the second book in The Blackburn Brothers Duet series, is a fantastic May to December romance.

Christian's a young college student who's desperate to be treated as an adult. After a lifetime of dealing with his overly protective mother, he wants to find his own way. Enter the man who offers to rent him a room in his house. Brandon's a man twice Christian's age who feels like his years of denial and fear have led him to be fake. Even Brandon doesn't know who he really is. Exploring his bisexual side for the first time sees him coming to life.

Written in alternating 3rd person pov, the story closely follows the struggles with Christian's illness, his issues with wanting to be independent, and Brandon's exploration of his sexuality. The author excels in written dialogue, making these scenes natural and flawless. Both men are well developed. It has a predictable plot, but I loved it and found myself completely riveted.

There is a lot going on in this story. The author perfectly entwines family issues, health issues, and sexual exploration to create a hot and steamy emotional read. The health issues are tremendously written, illustrating living with seizures, without ever feeling like a lesson. But most of all, I fell in love with both men as they have very different backgrounds, yet both lack the freedom to be themselves. I enjoy the way they have this similar struggle and the way the author brings it all together.

The Secret Things is hot and emotional as these two men explore a new and exciting time for both of them. This EM Denning read is more than just a romance, as both characters are discovering who they are for the first time in their lives. It's emotional and had me staying up late into the night to finish it. 

Leo (Beckford Brothers #1) by Candice Blake

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Blurb

LEO:
I’m cocky with a capital C and I own it. I have big dreams and nothing’s going to stop me from achieving everything I set my mind to.

I'm about to start my sophomore year and I desperately need a place to live. One morning, I stumble across a 'Room For Rent' sign on someone's front lawn. An older man with blond hair and kind green eyes opens the door. His name is Graves and I find out he's a professor at my school.

I move into the beautiful Victorian home with Graves. At first, I want nothing to do with this forty-five-year-old professor since he's my landlord. But when I find out he needs my help, that's when everything changes...

I'm straight. Full stop.

But Graves...oh man, Graves. Why does he make me feel the things that I do when I'm with him?

GRAVES:
Since my divorce five years ago, my dating life has been terrible.

When Leo moves in, I have no idea how to get to this tall and rugged business student to open up to me. But I do see how good he is with women. How does this blue-eyed nineteen-year-old student know so much more than me when it comes to dating?

Leo becomes my sort of dating coach. At first, it's about helping me find someone. But what if that person is there all along?

I've been straight my whole life. But the chemistry between me and Leo is undeniable.

I am hesitant to explore this...thing with Leo. Word spreads fast on campus, and if anyone finds out, I could lose everything…

Warning: Leo contains explicit sexual content not suitable for anyone under the age of 18.

The Beckford Brothers series focuses on four brothers who go on their own journeys to find love. Each novel in the Beckford Brothers series can be read on its own or as part of the series.

An M/M Romance Novel.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Leo is one of those books where I instantly fall in love with the pleasant tone, and continue to fall even more in love as the book progresses. It's absolutely riveting, compelling and completely delightful.

Leo is everything I love in M/M romance. Two men, complete opposites, falling for each other, realizing they perfectly compliment one another. As an added bonus, we have a May to December romance which adds to some light angst, as they're certainly at different parts of their lives. 

This is one of those books that I want to re-read often. It's sweet, it's tender, it's romantic. I appreciate the way both men change and evolve throughout. I love that they each contribute a lot to the relationship, yet in completely different ways. 

Their story involves a sweet as can be puppy, who I fell in love with instantly. And, how can you not fall for two men when they fall for a puppy. The puppy's what initially brings them together, and it's wonderful. The backyard scene with the puppy during the picnic is delightful, cute, and sweet.

I love and adore both men. Leo's loose ways of floating through life is perfectly balanced by Graves' rigid ways. They truly compliment one another, as Leo needs an older, more stable person in his life.

Their story is sad and lonely. It's a slow-burn as Leo isn't open to befriending Graves, let alone allowing more. The way they do come together is fun and splendid, as it's natural, realistic and relatable. As for sex with a man, it's the first time for both, which is terrific and a whole lot of fun. I also enjoy the tenant/landlord and professor/teacher dynamics.

As well, I like the ending, as Leo's a unique young man, and his future is befitting of his personality. It's wonderful that the author stayed true to Leo's personality.

Leo's relationship with his brother adds tremendously to the story, as he's his best friend, and they each protect each other. Their closeness, as well as their history, is endearing as they will always support one another. I appreciate the way the author explored their relationship.

Candice Blake has won over my heart with Leo. It's so much more than I could have ever anticipated and I love every single moment of this amazing story. I highly recommend it in general, but if you enjoy May to December romances, this is a must read!  As for me, it's a definite re-read.