XOXO, Santa by Spencer Spears

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

How do you ask your best friend to be your first time?

Blake: What do you do when you realize at age 20 that you might like guys?

If you’re me, you come up with a brilliant and foolproof plan:
Proposition the one gay guy you know to swipe your V-card over winter break.
In my case, that’s my childhood best friend, Henry.

Just one problem—Henry hates my guts.

That’s okay, though, because I’ve got a Plan B:
Download an app, find a guy to hook up with, and figure out once and for all if I’m as gay as my internet search history suggests.

One more little problem—before I can meet the guy I’m messaging online, I have to get through a week’s vacation with Henry and our families.

Henry, who can’t stand me, but who I can’t get out of my head.
Henry, who’s off-limits, but who I maybe kinda sorta kissed last night?
Henry, who’s spending an awful lot of time checking messages on his phone…

XOXO, Santa is a 70,000 word stand-alone gay romance novel with holiday sweetness, first-time steam, and a borderline-unhealthy level of snark. It features jock/nerd, friends-to-lovers, and online love tropes.

My Rating - 4 Stars!

XOXO, Santa is a great enemies to lovers romance by Spencer Spears. 

Blake and Henry have a messy past; former best friends whose families are still friends. With some family time together in a cabin, they're forced to spend the holidays together. I always enjoy a good wintertime forced proximity! Add in two men who don't get along, and let the real fun begin.

Henry's always been out, but Blake struggles with his developing sexuality and exploring his gay feelings. Looking for some sexual guidance, as he's finally admitting he's gay, he turns to a dating app. As he forms an online friendship with a stranger, he certainly gets more than he expected. 

First, the humor is so damn funny. Seriously, some of the texts are absolutely hysterical. If you enjoy banter, sass, and innuendoes in text form, you'll love this one. If you enjoy dirty baking references, and some messy situations, you will laugh your ass off.

Second, the online friends aspect is well done. There's certainly no surprise, but I enjoy the way it's all executed. 

I always enjoy Spencer's writing, and this book is no different. The beginning is a little long winded, but it definitely sets up the situation. Blake's exploration into porn could have been summed up quicker, but don't let that stop you - just keep reading. Trust me. It's honestly just an authentically feeling situation. And from there, the humor starts. 

XOXO, Santa is a romance filled with endless banter and sass. Spencer Spears spares no expense in this delightful, sweet tale. This one has a little of everything, with a great mix of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, ex best friends, and online friends. It's definitely a cute story. 

Big (99 Daddies, #2) by Casey Cox

Amazon Link    - KU??????
Goodreads Link

Big: (adjective)
Large, as in size, height, width, or amount.
See also: Nick "Big Boy Energy" Macklin.

A Daddy who has everything money can buy...
Except the one boy he can’t have.

You’ve never met a boy like Nick Macklin. He’s an enigma, wrapped in warm cinnamon pastry, wearing a belly-exposing tank top. He’s two hundred and forty pounds of confident, cocky, curvy yumminess.

He’s proud of his body and proud to be a big boy. He’s also loud, unfiltered, loyal, and fiercely independent. In other words, everything smart, successful, sexy silver fox Daddy Steel Crawford has ever wanted in a boy.

There’s just one problem: Nick thinks Steel’s a jerk.

One of those guys that can get what he wants, simply because he’s a man with the means to afford it. Steel might be a self-made man, and able to catch Nick’s eye—but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll automatically be able to capture Nick’s heart.

Even if he is a super successful lawyer who runs his own law firm.
Even if he is as kind as he is rich, and a genuinely decent guy.
Even if his light blue eyes, silver mane, and sculpted body have earned him the title of one of Daylesford’s Most Eligible Daddies...three years running

Steel is a Daddy who can buy anything he wants, but will Nick be the one thing he can’t have?

◆◆◆BIG
Big is a Daddy-lite enemies-to-lovers gay romance featuring a one-in-a-million big boy being pursued by a sexy silver fox Daddy.

Come along for the ride and enjoy some crazy/sexy/cool shenanigans including: sexy go-go dancers, erotic cake-sitting, a scene-by-scene recreation of an iconic '90s flashmob, plenty of zingy one-liners, a crew of sassy friends, lots of LOLs, and all the feels on the way to a heartwarming HEA.

Big is the second book in the 99 Daddies series. Each book in the series will contain overlapping characters and storylines, so you may enjoy them more by reading them in order.

♥♥♥ 99 DADDIES
99 Daddies is a hilarious, entertaining, and heartwarming contemporary/new adult Daddy-lite MM romance series.

Escape to Daylesford, the (fictional) Daddy capital of America. If you love steamy and complex Daddy/boy dynamics, May-December gay romances with a twist, sweet and sassy MM age gap romances—and chasing those guaranteed HEAs—you’ll love it here.

So come along and meet the 99 Daddies of Daylesford. Who will be YOUR favorite?

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Casey Cox's Big, the second book in the 99 Daddies series, is a fun romance. 

Steel's a daddy without a boy. He desperately wants a boy, but he really wants that boy to be sassy. And, damn, he wants to discipline that sass.

In Nick, he finds just the boy he wants. Nick's a dancer who's snarky, funny, flashy, and full of sass.

Their story has plenty of BDSM and kink talk, including wet and messy play. It's definitely a new thing to me, having never heard of it before. But, dear god, the aftercare scene is wonderful. It's seriously beautiful. This alone is worth the read.

Their tale is one with a hookup that's meant to be a one off. It's a tale with assumptions and some miscommunication, or more like, lack of communication. 

For these two, mutual friends aspect is a big deal. It helps them run into one another. But it also causes some worry. And, damn, Nick really doesn't like Steel at the beginning. There's also plenty of internal conflict, as they don't want to cause issues with their friends.

As far as the title is concerned, Nick is a plus sized person. There's a lot of discussion about it, including that shame that comes with being overweight.

It's a entertaining read, with Steel's strong and intense feelings for Nick. It's cute and sweet as he tries to heal Nick's broken heart. Most of all though, I enjoy the exploration of kinks and the admittance of one's desires, which makes for a great scene.

I continue to like the writing style. The characters are well developed, with great dialogue. I enjoy the side characters and the internal monologues. And the conflict is well done. 

Overall, Big is an interesting romance. Casey Cox definitely hits some unique factors with this story, which is a must read if you enjoy great aftercare scenes.

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW - Reserved (Tales of Bryant #4) by V.L. Locey

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

Cover Design: Meredith Russell

Length: 40,000 words approx.

Goodreads

Tales Of Bryant Series

Book #1 - Tales of Bryant - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

My Review

Book #2 - Nine Small Sips - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

My Review

Book #3 - Fade In - Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link

My Review

Blurb

Not even the darkest night can extinguish the radiance of two loving hearts coming together.

Life is a daily celebration for Adrian Pontimore, the hottest new event planner for the Manhattan elite. His days are a high-priced whirlwind of cocktail parties, weddings, conventions, tea parties, housewarmings, and baby showers. Everything is simply amazing for the owner of Quintessentially Adrian Event Designs. Until the dark and hate-filled side of life rears its ugly head, tearing apart the delicate happy bubble that Adrian has constructed around himself.

If not for the bravery of one of New York’s finest, Adrian’s days fussing over décor and bridal parties might have come to an abrupt end. There’s something about a man in uniform, but there is something extra special about Officer Galen Ellison. Not only did he save Adrian’s life, he’s slowly winning his heart. It’s going to take time, patience, and good humor to help Adrian overcome the fears that haunt the shadows now, but those are qualities that the handsome, affable beat cop seems to have an abundance of.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

VL Locey's Reserved, the fourth book in the Tales of Bryant series, is positively charming. 

Adrien is hysterical, full of sass, sparkle, and attitude. The reader can't help but to fall in  love with him immediately. I love the way he talks, dresses, and his brash attitude. The fact that he takes a liking to Galen, a cop who's his complete opposite only adds to the fun. 

These two opposites find not only attraction, but also love, as Adrien heals from an attack. And oh the emotions involved. Not only is his body broken, but also his spirit. The result is a slow, touching journey towards healing. 

The writing is stellar, with two intriguing characters and a wonderful storyline. Once again, the author manages to capture some of the atmosphere of NYC, including the different parts of the city. If you're familiar with the city, this series that revolves around the iconic Bryant Park is sure to warm your heart.

Reserved is a story with an interracial couple, a brutal attack, and horrific homophobia slurs. It's a tough read at a few parts, but it's a wonderful story. VL Locey once again impresses me with the depth of her characters and the surprises she throws our way. If you've been reading this series, you will be thrilled to see this new side of the charismatic Adrien. 

USA Today Bestselling Author V.L. Locey – Penning LGBT hockey romance that skates into sinful pleasures.

V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.

When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.

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Rules to Break (Davey's Rules #2) by Susan Hawke

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Davey’s Rule #91: Daddy never loses faith in his boy.

Bryan Miller is satisfied with his uncomplicated life. He’s a discipline Daddy who’s not in the market for any kind of permanent relationship. And why should he be? Like the waves he surfs in the small beach town he calls home, there’s always another body available to warm his bed when he tires of the current flavor of the week.

Preston Wallace is a snotty rich brat with enough attitude to keep all the Daddies from giving him a chance. He gets it… people are jealous of him for being rich, hot, and fit. It would take a strong Daddy to take him in hand.

A casual conversation on the night of Preston’s twenty-fifth birthday ties these two stubborn men together in a bet right out of the musical My Fair Lady. Can Daddy Bryan turn the obnoxious brat into a dateable boy within a ninety-day timeframe?

Strap in for a roller-coaster of emotions as Bryan takes firm control of a brat who might just need to know someone cares enough to try.

This is the second book in this series about not-so-perfect Daddies, adorable “boys,” and one sassy brat with an insane list of rules. Grab your fan and tissues because this series comes with both a high heat advisory and all the squishy feels you’d want from a Susan Hawke book. Possible trigger for the death a background character. 

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Rules to Break, the second book in Susan Hawke's Davey's Rules series, is amazing!

Full of charm, wit, and heat, this story is a winner. Bryan and Preston start a Daddy/boy relationship with a bet. Preston needs someone to install some discipline in his life and to take him down a notch or two. Bryan is just the man to do so.

Both men are interesting characters. Bryan's a Daddy who's never considered himself someone capable of settling down. He's always treated his lovers, and boys, as temporary. Then along comes Preston. Oh man, Preston is one heck of a character. He's a rich and entitled young man who's never even seen a toaster. Omg, watching Bryan teach him how to care for himself is marvelous. It's not only intriguing, it's also emotional. 

As for the relationship between these two, Bryan is a great Daddy, but Preston definitely tests him. They are hot together, they argue, they butt heads, and they each offer something unique to the other. I absolutely adore Preston, his sass, and his attitude towards everything. Let's just say he's extremely entertaining. 

I love this story. At it's heart, it's a meaningful reminder to open your heart to people. It's a good illustration that if you don't open your heart and let people into your life, you will be alone in the end. This is such an important thing for both characters to learn, and I enjoy how differently this is represented with each. 

Susan Hawke's Rules to Break is a marvelous read. Full of emotion, heart, and a great storyline, this one will not disappoint. It's a tough read at times, as Preston has a lot to deal with, but it's fantastic.