Click (White House Men #3) by Nora Phoenix

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

He doesn't just want the friendship or the benefits. He wants it all.

Rhett, the White House photographer, is tired of everyone treating him like he’s fragile. He wants a life of his own. Punch his V-card. A boyfriend.

Making new friends is a good first step, even if it’s with his boss, Calix, who’s fifteen years his senior. Calix is kind and protective, and he encourages Rhett to spread his wings.

When Rhett stumbles, Calix is there to catch him, and what started as friendship, grows into a mutually beneficial arrangement. Friends with benefits. Kind of.

But Calix still mourns his dead husband, so what happens when Rhett wants to extend their arrangement…indefinitely? He doesn't just want the friendship or the benefits. He wants it all.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues, and the plot gets more and more complicated…and more dangerous. How far will the terrorists go to accomplish their goal?

Click is an MM romance with hurt/comfort, an age gap, a sweet virgin, and a friends with benefits arrangement. It’s the third book in the White House Men series, a romantic suspense series set in the White House, that needs to be read in order. Click ends with a happily ever after, but the suspense plot ends on a cliffhanger and will be continued in the rest of the series. 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Nora Phoenix's Click is a thrilling read. The third book in the White House Men series, it perfectly continues the political intrigue and romance surrounding the men occupying the White House. 

The ongoing murder mystery/investigation, combined with continued action and danger, is all well done. More information is revealed, but there's still plenty to unveil. 

As for the men, this time around we get the romance between Calix and Rhett. The boss/employee aspect of their relationship isn't a problem, which I appreciate. So don't worry about a forbidden relationship aspect here. 

These men are wonderful together, both in and out of the bedroom. Yes, they are super hot together, with amazing chemistry. But they're also multi-layered characters full of vulnerability and painful pasts. I adore that they help one another heal and learn to trust again. 

With Calix having lost his husband in the bombing that started this whole series, his grief is ever present. It's absolutely beautiful seeing him learning to love again. My favorite part of this story, by far, is the way Rhett deals with Calix's pain. It's remarkable, honorable, and truly amazing. 

The virgin/first times aspects of this story are fabulous. It brings the men together, leads to smoking scenes, and helps the two naturally evolve into more than just lovers. 

On a personal note, apparently I loathe constant endearments. The author's continued use of "sweetheart" had me ready to gag. That said, in the end it's an important part of their developing relationship. Thus I will give it a pass this time around. 

Overall, Click is a fantastic read. Nora Phoenix places the romance front and center, but perfectly weaves the political mystery, suspense, and danger throughout. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

With A Twist (Speakeasy #1) by K Evan Coles & Brigham Vaughn

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Goodreads Link

Blurb

Love, served with a twist.

Nursing a broken heart when his ex-boyfriend, Riley, leaves him for the love of his life, Carter, Will Martin throws himself into teaching at NYU and writing. An invite from Riley to a speakeasy called Under helps Will begin to heal, and he finds himself enjoying both the drinks and the company.

Soon after, he’s shaken by news of his father’s cancer diagnosis and Will reluctantly returns to Long Island to see the man who disowned him after he was outed.

Sparks fly when Will meets his father’s mentee, Republican Senator David Mori, who is both mixed race and openly gay. Will is looking for a no-strings-attached fling and David is leery of getting involved with his mentor’s son, so they keep their affair a secret.

As his father’s health worsens, Will elects to remain in Garden City and his relationship with David grows beyond casual sex. Now, both men must decide how to bridge the divide between them.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

With a Twist is an excellent story by K Evan Coles and Brigham Vaughn.

The premise of this story is great, and it definitely delivered on being a fun and interesting story. I love the writing, the story and the characters.  

There's an emphasis on politics, as Will and David differ in their political views. Will's never agreed with his dad and now he's falling for a constituent of his father. 

Their feelings and strong and the attraction is magnetic. 

In addition to their struggles with their own issues, they also have to deal with family health issues, and the issues involved with being under public scrutiny. 

With A Twist is a beautiful story of reconciliation, compromises and the true strength of love. 

The President's Husband by Michael Murphy

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb


When an assassin’s bullet strikes his predecessor, Grayson Alexander becomes the first openly gay President of the United States and his husband, David Hammond, becomes the first openly gay First Husband. With their world turned upside down, David relies on his career as a medical school professor and ER doctor to keep him grounded. But his decision to keep working ruffles feathers from day one.

Gray throws himself into learning everything he needs to know to be President, especially a liberal president surrounded by a conservative cabinet and staff. Even though he puts in outrageous hours working and traveling seven days a week month after month, he’s happy. But David has trouble coping with Gray’s new job requirements. He can’t help but feel abandoned by his husband of ten years.

When Gray asks for his help with a public-health crisis, David obliges, but he is furious about what happens once the emergency passes. When they learn that the President’s staff has manipulated them both, they wonder if their relationship can survive the White House. 




REVIEW
My Rating -  5 Stars!

The President's Husband is an intriguing and compelling read by Michael Moore. My only complaint is that I waited so long to read it.

From the very first page, I found myself completely hooked and could not put the book down.

When Gray is elected Vice President, he never expects to become President. When he is instantly thrown into that role, he has a lot to learn, and his whole life is about to change.

The story is told from Gray's husband, David's point of view. As much as things change for Gray, David is the one who is feeling the effects of these changes.Things are not easy for the couple, as Gray is suddenly never available to see David, let alone even talk to him.

As time goes on they discover that one of the staff is manipulating them and purposely keeping them apart, and decisions need to be made. If their marriage is to survive, some major changes will need to happen.

I love this story, and felt like I was experiencing everything along with David. I was sad, I was angry, I rooted for them and I cried for them. The entire book is so gripping, and so damn well written. It is such an emotional roller-coaster, full of angst, misunderstandings, deception and love.

I am absolutely blown away by how much I enjoyed The President's Husband. As this is my first time reading Michael Moore's work, I will definitely be checking out his other books!

Cocky, Stock & Barrel by Lina Langley

Amazon

Blurb:

They say you never get over your first love.

For Ethan Zhong, that's painfully true. His relationship with Alois was near-perfect, his fiance everything he could ever want--until cruel fate took Alois away. Even after years, Ethan isn't ready to move on. He's happier single than walking away from the memory of Alois's name.

Until his sister hooks him up with a powerful one. One who is running for State's Attorney.

One who is close to the governor of Georgia. 

Ethan's brother-in-law.

And the worst man Ethan could ever agree to date.

Good thing it's only for show. 

One arranged dinner date he can't wiggle out of, a few minutes of political schmoozing, and Max Walter should have his political career in the bag. But Ethan's not prepared for the shock when Max could be Alois's doppleganger, and rouses desires and longings Ethan just can't shake.

He hopes a one-night-stand will get it out of his system, and give him so closure. After all, he's heard the best way to get over someone is to get under someone--but Max isn't someone he can walk away from after one night. Max wants Ethan. Max wants more.

And more than anything, Max wants Ethan to beg.

REVIEW:

Cocky, Stock and Barrel is quick fun read.

There are very sad moments in the story. Ethan's fiancée suffered a horrific death in front of him. Ethan hasn't been attracted to anyone since.

Ethan's set up on a date with Max by his family. They are attracted to each other. But, to Ethan, Max reminds him so much of Alois. And, as much as Max would like to be with Ethan, he doesn't want them to be together just because he's a reminder of Alois. If Ethan is going to be with him, it has to be Max who he is with, not Alois.

They only knew each other a few days, but Max definitely left an impression on Ethan and Ethan finds that he cannot stop thinking about Max.

The interactions between Ethan and Max are hot! Max wants Ethan to beg. And he will wait until he does so. And, then, we have some puppy play. 

The underlying plot in this story revolves around politics, and what a politician needs in a partner.

I definitely enjoy Cocky, Stock and Barrel is you are looking for a quick read. I really enjoy the ending. Ethan and Max are just super sweet together.