Four (Love by Numbers #2) by Tia Fielding

* Updated 2-11-2020 with new edition *

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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.

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.

Storm by HJ Welch (The Men of Hidden Creek)

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I really enjoyed this story.

It is the first book I have read in a new 6 book series about The Men of Hidden Creek. The twist?  Each book is written by a different author, but there are some crossovers of characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

In this book, Chase ends up as a single parent to his daughter after the girl’s mother dies.  Chase and the mom had never been together, except for the one night when Chase was trying to prove to himself that he could like girls.  It didn’t work.  But he has never regretted being a dad to Lyla; he just wasn’t the one raising her.  Until now.

Hunter is new to town, after leaving the military.  He is the new Physician’s assistant in town.   When Chase takes Lyla to the doctor for a checkup, they meet Hunter.  A friendship develops as Lyla falls in love with Hunter’s new puppy.  As the friendship grows, Hunter starts being attracted to Chase, his first time being attracted to a guy, and a new type of relationship evolves.

Besides the cute kid and puppy moments, and the sweet romance moments, there are real struggles.  Chase has to prove fit to care for Lyla.  And coming out is tough for Chase.  And may be the defining factor as to whether he will be allowed sole custody of his daughter.