Loving Him (Hearts Intertwined Book 1) by Drea Roman

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Blurb

A successful large sculpture artist, Black has drive, focus, and a friendly backyard squirrel to keep him company. What he doesn't have is a personal life. Memories of a life shattering disaster make him close the door on any possibilities of love and affection. But when a sweet and charming new man breezes into his life, Black faces a choice. Keep hiding from his past or face the pain and risk his soul for love again.

Aubrey Davies designs parks all over the U.S. When he lands in Oakland, his life collides with that of a gorgeous artist who fascinates and confuses him. When Black blows hot, Aubrey revels in the fire. When Black blows cold, Aubrey bleeds from the freeze. Will Aubrey's steadfast love penetrate Black's final emotional walls? Or will both men shatter their hearts on the jagged rocks of Black's past, a past he so desperately wants to hide?

Loving Him is a 100k word contemporary mm romance and the first entry in the Hearts Intertwined series. Be ready for sexy movie references, a wise and mischievous squirrel, and a sweet HEA.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Drea Roman's debut novel, Loving Him is a remarkable tale of love and loss. It's a riveting, emotional journey that is completing deserving of a time. Just be sure to have some tissues nearby. 

Black and Aubrey feel an immediate spark. But, as they get closer, Black's secret keep him from being able to give himself completely to Aubrey. 

Their story is one of a strong connection that's kept from being absolute due to pain, loneliness, want and fear. Black's inability to open up fully is gut wrenching. I could feel my heart breaking along with his and Aubrey's.

The bond that Black and Aubrey form over parks is important. I love the conversation of people not pausing to notice the beauty and not appreciating the work that's done to create such beauty. This is extremely true and profound.

Overall, this is a tale of a closed off man learning to open his heart again. Black's past has left him just surviving, but Aubrey's love can help him to actually live again.

Loving Him is an accomplished story addressing the power of grief, guilt and loss, as well as the power of love. I'm extremely impressed with this debut novel by Drea Roman, and I'm excited to see what else this author comes up with in the future. 

Masterpiece (Men of Hidden Creek, Season 3, #2) by H.J. Welch

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Blurb

“I want to trust you.”

Koby Duvall always knew his place at school. Art nerds like him were just target practice for guys on the football team. NFL star Vince Russo may never have bullied him, but the two men are still nothing alike. Except when Koby is asked to create a sculpture of Russo, they find themselves stuck together.

Vince is only home for a few weeks over the holidays while he recovers from a head injury. Face to face with his former classmate, he finally has a chance to prove to Koby that he’s more than just a dumb jock.

However, sparks fly and Vince realizes he and Koby may have more in common than they thought. But all Vince knows is football, and coming out in the NFL is career suicide. When a violent grudge comes back to terrorize Koby, though, Vince knows he’ll do anything to protect the man he loves.

Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains a steamy modeling session, big families with even bigger food portions, and enough chemistry to melt steel.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Masterpiece is HJ Welch's addition to season three of the Men Of Hidden Creek series by various authors.

This story centers around Vince and Koby, as Vince is home to recover from a football injury. They were never friends before, but while Koby works on creating a sculpture of Vince for the school, they find that they may be good together. 

They are certainly complete opposites physically. Vince is a tough, strong football player, while Koby's small, nonbinary and pansexual. Vince is struggling with his injury, while the lonely Koby's finding some companionship for the first time. 

Their story is tender and sweet, with some fantastic sex scenes, including the small man topping. Yay!

Unfortunately, they also have their fair share of issues, including a homophobic friend and attacks. 

Masterpiece is a riveting Christmas romance. HJ Welch has created two wonderfully complex men who completely capture one another's heart, as well as mine.