Trust Me (Rebel Mechanics #3) by A.T. Brennan

 

Amazon Link   - Available in KU  

Goodreads Link

I want to believe I deserve more, but how can I when no one has ever taken the time to understand me?

A year ago, I thought I found the perfect man. He was sweet, attentive, and promised to take care of me. Then he showed his true colors, and I’ve been trapped with him ever since. I don’t want to live like this, but I can’t seem to find the courage to end things.

That is, until my best friend, Quinn, shows me that I have people who care about me. It’s with their support that I’m finally able to break free and start my journey of healing.

Quinn is right there by my side, helping me find myself again. He’s the best friend I could’ve asked for, and the more time we spend together, the more my feelings for him grow. I’m not used to wanting someone the way I want Quinn. I’m worried it will ruin our friendship if I tell him how I feel, but then again, what could be better than falling in love with my best friend?


Trust Me is a 65k word slow burn best friends to lovers, hurt/comfort story featuring a sweet mechanic, an artistic wheelchair user, a found family, and all the feels. It is Book 3 in the Rebel Mechanics series but can be read as a standalone.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Already in love with the Rebel Mechanics series, I am now delightful and thrilled for this third book, Trust Me. AT Brennan's third book in this series is fabulous and is easily read as a standalone. 

There's a lot going on in this friends to lovers story. And I love it all.

At the start, Bennett's in an abusive relationship, making him automatically a sympathetic character. When he finally realizes he deserves to be treated better, he turns to his best friend Quinn for help. 

I love the friendship they have at the start. Each helps ground the other, and brings a peace into the other's world. The easily fall into living together and spending all their time together.

Quinn is wheelchair bound, and yet Bennett doesn't mind at all. Bennett is supportive and helpful, making him even more loveable. The author does an excellent job illustrating the sexual issues Quinn has with his injury. It's all written with care and compassion, as well as brings so much reality to their situation. I absolutely love this aspect.

Another key issue for these two is Bennett's sexuality. He's demisexual and isn't quite sure of what that means for him. 

Ultimately, both care for one another and everything about them as a couple works wonderfully. I adore the way they care about each other. And I love the way their relationship evolves. 

Trust Me is a beautiful story. This AT Brennan romance impresses as it explores some sexual issues and what it means to both men. I love it. It's unique and well worth a read. 

A Long Way Back (Unfinished Business #2) by Barbara Elsborg

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

A serious accident may have left Tay’s body broken, but he’s determined to live an independent life at any cost. Except he’s barely coping. Alone and isolated in London, his only solace comes from the pain numbing drugs he’s become addicted to.

Ink’s on the run. He keeps his head low, but London streets don’t feel safe. The only way to stay under the radar is to keep moving and not let anyone or anything get close. But the stray mutt that’s latched onto Ink has other ideas.

A chance encounter and Ink’s bungled attempt to free himself from his four-legged companion leads to the offer of a job as a live-in helper. Tay’s moody and difficult, but he’s also scared and vulnerable, and Ink finds himself saying yes when he should be saying no.

Can Tay and Ink find a clear path on the road towards true love, or will their broken lives prove to be one roadblock too many?
***
This book ends at approximately the same point as The Making of Jonty Bloom, the first in the Unfinished Business series. Both books can be read as standalones, but for optimum enjoyment, reading in order is best.

This book has some dark elements—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism, drug addiction but there is still humour! And more of Jonty. 

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Barbara Elsborg's A Long Way Back is a wonderful hurt/comfort read. The second book in the Unfinished Business series, it's a beautiful story. 

We met Tay in The Making of Jonty Bloom and learned how he came to be injured, as well as all he endured. I struggled in the beginning, as after falling for Tay in Jonty's story, I was upset about their distance in this story. Okay, fine, not just upset, but actually extremely disappointed and devastated. So it took me a while to get past that. 

As for Tay and Ink, wow, just wow. Both men are complex, not fully living. Their lives are messy and their road to love isn't easy. 

Tay has his recovery, his parents' hovering, and the loss of his best friend to deal with. It's heartbreaking and not an easy read. 

As for Ink, his backstory is a mystery for much of the book, but the reader is fully aware that he is running from something, through no choice of his own. And damn, when things are revealed, my heart broke all over again. The poor young man was robbed of his youth and I just wanted to hug and protect him. 

Honestly, I am impressed with the way the author handles both men's journeys, with care, compassion, and heart. Both faced horrific experiences and the author brings them from hell to happiness in a compelling manner.  

There are some serious trigger warning for this book, so take head. As stated in the blurb "This book has some dark elements—bullying, death of a minor, violence, terrorism, drug addiction but there is still humour!"

The writing is wonderful and the characters will quickly wind their way into your heart. The author takes them on a tough yet worthwhile journey to get to a happy ending. These are two men who help one another find a purpose in life again, who find happiness and love with one another. 

There's some humor along the way, but in general, the tone of this story is heavy. But when there is humor, it definitely reminds me of the zaniness in Jonty's book. Just some light-hearted fun as a result of an unique  personality.

A Long Way Back isn't an easy read, but it's a good one. Barbara Elsborg once again takes the reader on a powerful journey and consumes them throughout. This is the perfect book the next time you're in the mood for two broken men healing one another through love. 

Sunshine & Shadows by K.C. Wells

Amazon Link - Available in KU
Goodreads Link

From kids to adults.
From BFFs to lovers.
Except life is never that simple.

Jamie:
Oh My God, Stephen Taylor grew up to be gorgeous.
He called me feather-brain like he did when we were kids, and it was like he’d never left.
Except back then I wasn’t in a wheelchair.
Come on, Stephen. I haven’t changed. I’m still that glass-half-full kid you remember, honest.
Please, be different? See past the freaking chair?
Of course, what would make it goddamn perfect would be if you turned out to be gay, as well as tall and beautiful.
Hey, a guy can dream, right?

Stephen:
Oh my God, he hasn’t changed.
He’s still full of sunshine like he was as a kid.
He wants to know what life was like in California, but there’s only so much I can share.
I’m not going to tell him what I’ve been through. He doesn’t need to know I have lousy taste in men.
Why couldn’t just one of them have been like you, Jamie?
Because I could so fall in love with a guy like you.
Only one thing wrong with that – you wouldn’t want a guy like me.

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Sunshine & Shadows is a fabulous friends to lovers romance by KC Wells. 

Jamie and Stephen are two former best friends separated through distance and years. Some big life changes have occurred during those years, including Jamie now being in a wheelchair. 

At the heart of this story, Jamie and Stephen are complete opposites in their personalities. One is happy and carefree, the other is glum and serious. One is optimistic, the other pessimistic. Both men have some shadows they hide behind, which is problematic at times. The title perfectly reflects this and I love it. But even better is the way that Jamie helps bring Stephen out of his gloom. 

The two friends are perfect together as a couple. They compliment one another wonderfully, and their banter is as if no time has passed. The reader will immediately fall in love with Stephen, as he is nothing but humorous about Jamie's wheelchair when they reunite. 

I love the way the author addresses Jamie's disability, as Jamie is content with life and happy. But, through conversations, we learn that that wasn't always the case. When it first happened, Jamie reacted as one would expect. I love the way this all unfolds. As well, the author does a fantastic job illustrating the way people in wheelchairs are treated in public. Everything is written with sensitivity and care. 

Overall, I adore the personality of these men. Jamie is the opposite of what one would expect, helping to keep things a lot lighter than they could have been. The author gifts him with many layers, making him come to life fully, exploring that he is way more than just his disability. On the opposite end, Stephen is both light-hearted and humorous while also being deeply serious. I love his layers and his ability to overlook Jamie's wheelchair from the start.

The writing style is great, with a tough storyline and two realistic main characters. There are some magnificent secondary characters who add immensely to the tale.

Sunshine & Shadows is an brilliant read that involves some serious subject matters. This KC Wells book had me consumed throughout. It's a low angst read that will leave your tears on the pages at times. And in the end, you won't be able to put it down.  

 

 

High Heat (Hotshots #2) by Annabeth Albert

Title: High Heat

Author: Annabeth Albert

Series: Hotshots, #2

Length: 352 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Imprint: Carina Press

eBook On-Sale: July 27, 2020

eBook ISBN & Price: 9781488057069, $4.99 U.S.

MMP On-Sale: July 28, 2020

MMP ISBN & Price: 9781335459510, $8.99 U.S.

Goodreads Link

Annabeth Albert’s Hotshots series continues—the emotions and intensity of Chicago Fire with the raw, natural elements of Man vs. Wild.

Smoke jumping is Garrick Nelson’s life. Nothing, not severe injuries nor the brutal physical therapy that follows, is going to stop him from getting back with his crew. But when a lost dog shows up on his front porch, he can’t turn her away, and he can’t take care of her on his own. Thankfully, help comes in the form of his new sexy, dog-loving neighbor. As they work together, trying to re-home their little princess, Garrick can’t resist his growing attraction for the other man, even though he knows this guy isn’t the staying type.

Rain Fisher doesn’t take anything too seriously. He dances through life, one adventure at a time, never settling in one place for too long. When his hot, conveniently buff, neighbor shows up on his doorstep, dog in tow, Rain’s determined to not just save the adorable puppy, but her reluctant owner as well. He never expects their flirtation might tempt him into stay put once and for all...

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts. Don’t miss the Hotshots series from Annabeth Albert: Burn Zone, High Heat, and Feel the Fire.

Buy Links

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble 

Apple Books

Kobo 

Google Play

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Annabeth Albert's High Heat is a great age gap romance. The second book in the Hotshots series, this story picks up after Garrick's injury in Burn Zone.

The emotions are high in this story where a stray dog brings two strangers together. 

 Garrick immediately grabbed my heart, with his injury causing him tremendous emotional turmoil. He has been fighting to get back to his smoke jumping career, but a lot stands in his way. The author fully brings to light the mobility issues and accessibility issues involved with one being mostly wheelchair bound. Garrick's rage and pain at not being fully mobile is gut wrenching at times. 

And then there's Rain, who's free spirit, hippy personality is the perfect compliment to Garrick right now. Rain's gender fluidity is well written and explored. He's a breathe of fresh air. He likes pink, still loves to be like a princess, but he's drawn to a rugged man. It's a fun character trait and is well carried out. And it ends up that he's incredibly supportive, the perfect one to help heal Garrick's fear of being too needy. 

This is story with frustration and pain. It's a story of optimism versus reality and all the baggage that comes with it. The author perfectly nails this issue and I couldn't have been more impressed. Acceptance of one's loss is a large part of this story. It's written with care and compassion and I loved it all. 

And then there's Garrick and Rain together. OMG! To say they are hot together is an understatement. There's plenty of flirting and attraction. The author explores dealing with the differences of sex with physical limitations, and then there's some lace. Oh how I love Rain's love of all things soft and sexy. It's delicious fun.

High Heat is a story with plenty of emotions, lots of heat (or high heat as the title would tell you), and a whole lot of character growth. This Annabeth Albert book is wonderful and I definitely recommend it the next time you're in the mood for an opposites attract romance.

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

Connect with Annabeth Albert

Website: http://annabethalbert.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnabethAlbert 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabethalbert 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabeth_albert/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6477494.Annabeth_Albert 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Annabeth-Albert/e/B00LYFFAZK 

Gotta Keep Moving (Go Forward Book 2) by Whitney Cannon

Amazon Link 

Goodreads Link

After being kicked out of his parents’ house for being gay, Ty has had to adjust to his new life - moving in with his friend, Patton and attending public school for the first time. While Ty struggles with the loss of his family, he begins to realize that in losing those who would never love him for who he really was, he’s also gained a measure of freedom he’d never known before. Freedom to become the person he wants to be, freedom to pursue his love of music, and freedom to pursue the love of another boy that could change his life forever.

Over a year after becoming paralyzed in a stupid childish accident, Laurie has all but come to terms with the fact that he will be stuck in his wheelchair for the rest of his life. His graduating class has moved on, his single mother works long hours to pay for his medical bills, and Laurie finds solace in sharing his music with the world via YouTube. One thing Laurie has not come to terms with, however, is the fact that he will never find anyone who can look past his disability and love him regardless of his limitations.

How can two boys from two completely different walks of life find each other amidst their own personal struggles? Can Ty and Laurie help each other come to terms with their new realities? Or will their personal demons get in the way of them discovering a love that could heal them both? 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

Gotta Keep Moving is an impressive story. This Whitney Cannon book, the second in the Go Forward series, is well worth a read. 

Ty and Laurie are two teenagers who meet online. Both are boys who are familiar with life changing tragedies. Both are boys who could have given up in life. But both have persevered and thrive together.

Laurie is paralyzed, spending his life in a wheelchair after a self-proclaimed stupid accident. Meanwhile, Ty has been disowned after his cult like family discovered his sexuality. I appreciate the way the two can relate to one another and understand each another. 

The author excels in creating these lovable and heart-felt characters. These young men are inspirational and absolutely lovable. And together, they are even more so.

Their story is one of hope and love. It's well written and is a beautiful quick read. And oh how I love Laurie's mom. She is the mom everyone should have. 

Best of all though, is the way Ty sees Laurie, which in turn helps Laurie grow in his confidence. I adore these boys and love their story. 

Gotta Keep Moving is a remarkable tale. This young adult romance is the perfect read when you're in the mood for something inspirational and happy in the world. 

The Mating of Michael (Sex in Seattle #3) by Eli Easton

Amazon Link - Available in KU

Goodreads Link

Blurb

This is the 3rd book in the Sex in Seattle series, but it features a new couple and can be read as a stand alone.

Everyone admires Michael Lamont for being a nurse, but his part-time work as a gay sex surrogate not only raises eyebrows, it's cost him relationships. Michael is small, beautiful, and dedicated to working with people who need him. But what he really wants is a love of his own. He spends most of his time reading science fiction, especially books written by his favorite author and long-time crush, the mysteriously reclusive J.C. Guise.

James Gallway’s life is slowly but inexorably sliding downhill. He wrote a best-selling science fiction novel at the tender age of eighteen, while bedridden with complications of polio. But by twenty-eight, he's lost his inspiration and his will to live. His sales from his J.C. Guise books have been in decline for years. Wheelchair bound, James has isolated himself, convinced he is unlovable. When he is forced to do a book signing and meets Michael Lamont, he can’t believe a guy who looks like Michael could be interested in a man like him.

Michael and James are made for each other. But they must let go of stubbornness to see that life finds a way and love has no limitations.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

The Mating of Michael, the third book in the Sex in Seattle series, is just what I've been waiting for. After meeting Michael in the first two books, I have been excited for his story. That said, it's easily read as a standalone.

Michael's a sex surrogate, who loves to be needed. He doesn't have a fetish for helping people, but he loves that his clients need him. He has the purest of hearts, and is unlike any character I've read before. 

Michael's new patient, James, is in a wheelchair due to having polio when he was young. He is full of trust issues, fear, and self esteem issues; feeling unworthy of love. James' backstory, told in flashbacks, is haunting, fully establishing his abandonment issues.

Michael working with James is beautiful. Honestly, the importance of what Michael gifts his clients with is unparalleled. It is amazing the way he instills James with love, confidence, and the feeling of being worthy. 

The writing is wonderful, complete with multi-layered characters and a deep storyline. Told in alternating 3rd person pov, the reader is fully able to delve into the actions and emotions of both men. 

The Sex in Seattle series is truly a unique and intriguing series. The Mating of Michael is both sweet and exquisite. This is a story you that will grab you by the heart and hold you hostage throughout. Enjoy!



Book One - The Trouble With Tony
Book Two - The Enlightenment of Daniel

Resolve (Demands Book 2) by Emily Alter

Amazon Link

Goodreads Link

Blurb

For a relationship to work, it is not just love which is demanded. Resolve is, too.

Cole has his senior year of college and a photography business to worry about, so he could really do without the multiple sessions with physiotherapists his parents force him to go to. It leaves little room to consider romance as a choice for him.
Pool instructor and avid swimmer Justin has always been his twin’s shadow. Where Aaron goes, he follows. He may not have much of a social life outside of his twin, but he loves his job and all the extra swim time he gets. He doesn’t think that he’s lacking anything.
Then Justin’s booked for a photo shoot with Cole. Being together, as right as it feels, also means they’ll have to come face to face with their belief systems. They must find the resolve to be their own person, or they could lose it all –themselves included.

Resolve is the 2nd book of the Demands series. Although they can be read as stand-alones, characters from previous books will make multiple appearances throughout the series.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Emily Alter's Resolve is the second book in her Demands series. 

Cole's a great character. At 21 he's growing his photography business, while trying to deal with the pressure from his parents. He's content with being in his wheelchair, if he could just get his parents to stop pressuring him to walk. His disability's well explored, with not only the pressures of therapy but also with discussions of the way people react to seeing him.again. 

Cole meets Justin when he's hired to photograph the man and from the start Justin doesn't care about his wheelchair. It's refreshing and beautiful. One thing I love with these two is the way Justin didn't care about Cole being a paraplegic. Justin just liked the way for who he is, the way he is. As he gets to know him, he manages to change both their lives forever.

My heart broke for Justin when he discovered that Cole's closeted. Talk about shattered dreams. It's tough enough to find someone he loves, but to be closeted isn't what he wants. 

Theirs is a tale of fear, family issues, sacrifices, and lost time. It's about gaining independence and accepting your fate. It's about taking chances and risking your heart.

Emily Alter's writing style is wonderful, as she always excites with emotional impacts to her writing. Her storylines are riveting and engaging. I'm thrilled to have discovered this newish author. In Resolve, she manages to pack a punch with some angst that just left me gutted. But in the end, the mental growth of each man is worth the long journey. I will definitely be re-reading this one at some point.