Review: Scrap Metal

Scrap Metal by Harper Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Oh how I love a man speaking Welsh. For me, that's half the job. Of course if you add a couple of good characters, a creative plot and a sprinkle of romance...that'll give you Scrap Metal by Harper Fox. Brilliant writing. I got a little lost in some technicalities about the farm, the weather and how to treat sheep but apart from that it was all I hoped for. There was a even a small bit of action with a fistfight and a kidnapping. I also gotta say my heart stopped a little with Harry's death. I loved the old sod. He was a gruff old man full of judgements but I just couldn't help it. So very sorry he died. I sure as f*ck would've loved to have read his reaction to the contracted killer. Man. I think the guy would have pied his pants first glance. Now back on subject. The story was great. I always suspected Cam had only witnessed the murder and only told he had done it because he was wreaked with guilt and wow, I loved how Nic handled everything. He never once questioned his love. You could actually see he was ready to accept Cam's fault and simply live with it. They were perfect for each other and I'm glad everything ended well. They seriously deserved it. Cute HEA without being cheesy or unreal.



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Review: Acrobat

Acrobat by Mary Calmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I gotta say I was a little scared when suddenly they started talking about "submitting" and "owning me" in the middle of the novel but it was just a scare. Nothing with ropes, cuffs or leashes ever came into picture. Thank you. Apart from that...it was very good. I loved both Dreo and Nate immensely. We got to know them pretty well. Nate more so than Dreo but I guess that was kind of expected considering the man was part of the mob. Nevertheless, he sure as hell expressed more feeling than either Nate's ex-boyfriends or hook-ups (yes I'm talking about Sean and Duncan). Sean was an *ss. That's the impression he gave me and Duncan didn't seem much better, although he did seem to be trying at the end. Now the other characters? They were great. Much more than simply support. Really alive and fun and important. I loved Melissa. She was a great ex-wife let me tell you. I also loved the plot and consequent execution. I was not disappointed. Very well written and creative and witty. Glad I gave this one a chance. Very interesting and enjoyable. Perfect HEA. Not completely lame.



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Review: The Prince Who Never Smiled

The Prince Who Never Smiled by Pepper Espinoza

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Not bad. I expected a little of politics thrown in 'cause, you know, it's a book about a Monarchy but it was quite calm except for the Queen's death. I liked it in general but it seemed mostly below expectations. We didn't get to know much about the characters, their tastes, their feelings...just enough to tell the story not nearly enough to develop. Kinda disappointed.



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Review: My Only Home

My Only Home by Pepper Espinoza

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I liked the plot immediately. It seemed to be very sweet and romantic. Then I started reading..and I gotta say I was a little worried with the execution. It really seemed like each of them had built a life without the other and neither was really willing to give it up for the other. I was starting to think it was one of those sad stories where we know they love each other like crazy but can't really be together. A lot of people will probably tell me sometimes things don't work out and those books are good too and all that but I don't like them. I like HEAs. Real life is messed up enough. I need HEAs. They make me happy. So I'm happy I got one in this book too. Seemed like my worries were unfounded. They managed to find a way to be together and I couldn't be happier for them. Why don't I give it a better rating? 'Cause it's a clichéd story. 'Cause even though I was wishing for a good ending I never really connected with either character. 'Cause I wasn't surprised by anything that happened. 'Cause it's not overwhelmingly good. It was nice and enjoyable and not a waste of my time but I've read better.



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Review: The Trap

The Trap by Indigo Wren

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I didn't finish this. I doubt I even made it to 10% of this book. Why? First I'm super pissed by not having being informed it was a Domination book. There's absolutely nothing that even hints at it.
I stopped when I realized the kidnapping talked about in the blurb wasn't a euphemism. That a guy actually thought he had every right to kidnap another guy out of the blue because they had been college roommates and he suspected his friend left him because he fell in love with him. That's right. He kidnapped his friend. Because he's in love. Because he feels like his friend made a huge mistake when he left him. Apparently this gives him the right to lure his friend to his island and trap him there for a month with no outside contact whatsoever. Apparently this gives him the right to f*ck with his friend's life.
I, on the other hand, do not find this OK. I find this completely ridiculous and the main reason why some people keep thinking getting the sh*t beat out of them for jealousy is romantic. Or that getting raped is the victims fault. Want to know my HEA for this book? Ethan getting is ass thrown in jail for kidnapping and coercion and David being finally at peace.





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Review: Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind by M.L. Rhodes

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Primarily I think I would've liked to have seen a better conclusion to Raff's fears. That's my main complaint in this book. It felt rushed. One week of no news of him and a pillow talk will not make everything suddenly alright. I also would've expected them to deal with things between each other a little better. Four years of friendship and they suffered through their doubts alone? Some friendship.
Also I don't know many cops but I reckon they always seem to have that feeling of power and safety to them. I didn't see it here. In either character. If that info hadn't been disclosed even before the start of this book I wouldn't have known it. They acted mostly like frightened children, each for their own reasons of course, but children nonetheless. No cop feeling in this one. I also can't exactly see a guy with no sexual experience with another guy to advance with things so casually physically. He only seemed to panic afterwards and it's weird he didn't stop before going that far. I would have expected some reticence before action. Then again I'm a woman. Maybe men only freak when it involves feelings...Ok reading.



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Review: A Better Man

A Better Man by Jaime Reese

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Better than most m/m romances I've read lately. There was a lot of emotion expressed without being overwhelming or angst ridden and it wasn't insta-love for Matt and Julian either. They clearly liked each other from the start but they took the time to properly know each other and fall in love. I gotta say my only problem with this book was the constant presence of Matt's mother. I'm sorry to say I wouldn't have minded for him to tell her to get lost from the beginning. She was a true bitch who clearly cared more about appearances than her children and I think the time Matt spent thinking and talking with her was a complete waste of time. In my opinion he should have stood up to her a long time ago instead of letting her rule his life and happiness for so long. Apart from that woman's presence however I truly enjoyed everything. Matt was nothing like I actually expected him to be after finding out he was an ex-con...honestly? I thought he was going to be a violent hard-ass man with a lot of issues to get through. Instead he proved to be a sweet heart who cared a lot about everyone around him (even his idiotic mom). Julian was also a big surprise. Attentive, sweet and quite romantic for a big guy. Just knows how much we judge people without reason to. Perfect HEA.



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Review: The White Knight

The White Knight by Josh Lanyon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It was okay. No. It was good. I kept thinking I was screwed because it was a sequel to another book I hadn't read and it was going to be confusing and weird but it wasn't. Not for me. I realized right out of the bat that there was a lot of history between the two main characters and I sensed it would have been better if I had read the first book but it was enjoyable just the same. The jumps between time frames were pretty well written and actually helped understand everything better. They were cute together and am glad they realized it was a mistake to be separate any longer. Nice twist with the Larry crap. Nice HEA. Good read.



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Review: Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy by Carol Lynne

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Well...for reading it alone (like I did) it's kind of overwhelming. There's no easy start into the story, you just kind of get dumped in the middle of everything and try to swim safely to the shore. As a part of the series however I'm guessing it's easier to understand. The doctors have probably been mentioned in the previous books and Matt seemed to have arrived to town six months before this book so it comes to reason they already had some experience as friends even though we don't actually see it here. I can honestly tell you that independently of all that I still enjoyed reading it a lot. It's very sexy and hot. The three of them seemed to get along incredibly well and my only only objection is how Isaac seemed to be the focus sexually while Sam was only there for the emotional hang-ups. Almost like each had their roles defined since the start and there was no point in straying. I didn't particularly found that fair and both Sam and Isaac actually seem to notice it when they're talking about one of them going to see Matt in Kansas. However neither of them seems to want to try to change it. And it's never spoken again. It seemed to me like it was glossed over just so they'd have a pretty HEA with no loose ends.



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Review: The One That Got Away

The One That Got Away by Rhianne Aile

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Amazing read. David and Trace's relationship evolved from a deep friendship and it was very clear from the start how much each meant to the other. There's no threesome, no ex-boyfriends or anything to cripple their love fest. Everything was pretty smooth from the very start and very adorable to read. Very nice indeed. Amazingly romantic and sweet. Nice characters and cute couple. One of those romances that don't require much thought or persuasion. Perfect ending. Deeply enjoyable.



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Review: And Call Me in the Morning

And Call Me in the Morning by Willa Okati

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



A little too dramatic for my tastes with that scene on the phone with Dr. Kazaran (or whatever) but the rest was pretty sweet and romantic and calm. They never doubted their friendship, never particularly freaked about anything or let fear rule their actions except, like I said before, for that final part from Zane but I think that was mostly written just to finish with a bang. I really enjoyed their story and mostly preferred their easy acceptance of everything to those angst ridden moments honestly. They seemed perfect for each other and one could really notice it in their small gestures towards one another. Super sweet. Nice read. No stress.



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Review: Handyman

Handyman by Claire Thompson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Beautiful tale of discovery. Of feelings and sexuality. Of love and companionship. Of family and friends. Nice read.
Will was amazingly sweet towards Jack from the start and Jack was so brave trying to get out of his comfort zone after a lifetime of repressed joy. They really did seem like teenagers from time to time. Super insecure. Completely afraid to become vulnerable in front of each other. Super cute. I really enjoyed watching them together. They were so adorable (probably weird saying this regarding a 40 year-old man right? It's true though). I specifically enjoyed their fumbling through things. Nothing is perfect when emotions are the heart of things and it was funny to read how panicked they became every time something new came up. I have to admit I laughed a couple times. Sorry.



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Review: Drunk Text

Drunk Text by seventhswan

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Not bad actually considering it's an amateur book. The writing is surprisingly good with only a couple errors (not nearly enough to put me off the story) and the plot certainly started very creatively with that text. I was a little thrown off by Gunnar, 'cause he sure seemed like a major douche, but he proved to be quite interesting as a character. Also loved Vance, Cara and Jon. They made for good support characters while also existing beyond helping Gunnar and his major crisis of existence. Good sex scenes as well. Nice romantic ending. Very enjoyable.

*Available for free reading here*



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Review: Str8te Boys

Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Quite short but a helluva of fun. Really hot and sexy. Great characters. Awesome story. Loved it.



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Review: Faith & Fidelity

Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Okay...that was slightly abrupt. I mean, I liked it a lot. I was really starting to think "just please let them be together without any more problems. They truly deserve some happiness" when the end rolled up so I really think it was time and I'm happy they finally got their HEA but it was kind of out of the blue for me. I was expecting some more development, I don't know, that dreaded discussion with the in-laws for example. Elena to actually grow a pair and support Evan and Matt. The kids to make more questions or for us to be cleared on what Matt decided to do with his life besides college and a new house. I did enjoy it immensely though. I really liked Evan and Matt. Mostly Matt. I was also intrigued with James. I wonder if there's a book with him..

Anyway. Despite all the sad feeling that appears constantly in this book, this is mostly about love, friendship and family. Quite upbeat if you really let yourself think about it. Time well spent most definitely.



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Review: Horn Gate

Horn Gate by Damon Suede

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It wasn't bad but I sure as hell (pun intended) expected better. The only reason I even give it a three star is because, at least, it was a short book and didn't torture me for long. Don't get me wrong...the plot is sound and creative. I liked the characters, even though we don't actually get to meet any of them well enough but I am sorry I read it . Now I have an unfinished story in more ways than one without a chance to end it. Not really. This seems like a rough draft of a book instead and I feel slightly cheated. I would've been seriously pissed if I'd paid for it. All the buzz surrounding this because of Bad Idea and it falls short. Way short. Talk about vague. Nothing is explained. You're just dropped in the middle. Isaac makes some stupid decisions without actually considering the consequences or what exactly he is doing and we're thrown for a loop trying to cope with such idiocy. And...I'm gonna stop criticizing because otherwise I'll feel compelled to lower the rating. To think I loved Hot Head.



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Review: Bad Idea

Bad Idea by Damon Suede

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I think maybe they went through a lot of pain unnecessarily. Trip actually managed to hurt Silas almost irrevocably and screw it up for good. Thankfully he woke up before the damage got too big to clean but it was still a dumb move. I can't believe he didn't find out Cliff's undermining lies before too late. He should've left him and his company even before Silas showed up and I'm not saying this for some romantic idea of following your dreams but because it was obvious he had
a lot of talent and he owed it to himself (not his boyfriend) to try taking things further. Even if he didn't let himself leave Cliff and the safe job ('cause we all got bills to pay and sometimes just have to play smart) he certainly should've tried pitching his idea for Scratch on the side. Playing it safe but not completely isolated.

I did enjoyed it some. I liked Trip and Silas a lot. They were very adorably cute together. I didn't even mind Trip's neurotic personality. It think it actually added to his appeal. Not everyone could deal with someone like that and the fact that Silas saw it from the beginning and didn't run like hell was on his heels also added to his personality. My main problems were: the comic book talks and the flow of the story. The flow of the story was pretty skewed and totally messed my bubble. I kept having to interrupt to not feel overwhelmed. It felt more like a work in progress than a finished novel. I expected something better fleshed out, maybe a little more thought out and even less boring. Yes. I actually thought some parts were completely boring. I got lost a lot. I skimmed entire paragraphs. The works. I like comic books. I don't know much about them or own many but I like them just on principle. Who doesn't love a good story? But was it really necessary so many pages describing everything ad nauseum? And the ending? After so much angst and doubt...an apology and a kiss and everything gets peachy? Wow. That was...anti-climatic if you ask me. Also I don't particularly mind a scrawny guy "dominating" a beefy one because I hate clichés but shouldn't they have...I don't know. Kept an open mind? Switch or at least try to? I didn't particularly felt they achieved all their potential in intimacy. They were both supposed to play certain roles and pretty much acted those roles without wavereing as if just a small slight detour could undermine all that careful planning of Trip being the skinny top and Silas the muscled bottom. I'm pretty sure Trip actually thought he wouldn't mind bottoming when they hadn't found out about their predilections in bed yet. He said he would do it just to be with Silas and then we never actually get to see any of it. I'm not saying it had to work. Just that they should've tried for each other. It was just for show and, for me, it was a pretty big neon sign saying: FAKE. I mean, theoretically I loved them...they were very good to each other when they wanted to and they really did try to make it work from the start but in practice? They appeared cardboard. Pretty to look at but no real content. Not really.



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Review: Hot Head

Hot Head by Damon Suede

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Very good. I mean I don't think anyone actually believed in this plot because I'm pretty sure a heterosexual male wouldn't suddenly wake up one day and decide he wanted to do gay porn with his best friend no matter the money problems he had. If he really was straight then he would try more "conventional" porn before trying the gay industry I think. So, basically, that little piece of info pretty much informed me right on that Dante must've felt something for Griff to do it.
Knowing this...the rest was all just fluff and puff for me. Still great though. I loved knowing them, their fears and hopes, their families and friends. The job. Their friendship and their love for one another even before fully acknowledging their lust and passion. I really connected with them both and enjoyed it very much. I was a little surprised by Dante's possessiveness though...he always seemed pretty laid back and became jealous out of the blue. Although I can't say I didn't secretly cheered for it. Griff became much more confident after that. He really started to acknowledge his own worth. Some jump from the shy man who blushed at everything! And they had their little happy ending! How perfect was that?



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Review: The Undomestic Goddess

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I liked the book well enough (kinda boring in some parts) but I was most disappointed by the ending. I understand the why but didn't really connect with it which was the problem I pretty much had throughout the whole book. I just could not connect with any of these characters...not really. They all seemed fleshed out, interesting and even fun to know but I never actually got to know any of them. I was told how they were, how they felt but I never got to feel it for myself. I saw all those problems Sam had neatly written in the book, saw her reaction to them but simply couldn't feel for her. Besides, for me, Sam was neurotic and not a workaholic. I know a lot of workaholics who don't behave the way she did. For such a successful lawyer (at least that's what we're told) she was childish, churlish and even a little bit annoying with all the talk about how her life was over. I also feel like it didn't really end. I feel cheated honestly. I expected to actually have some inkling of what she wanted or expected to do. Nothing. That's pretty much what we end up with. And after all the craziness of wanting to follow Nathaniel to Cornwall...they didn't even acknowledged what they felt for each other. Cheated I say.



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Review: Wallbanger

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Oh I loved it. I have no words to express how much really. It was funny, playful and just simply perfect. I really connected to Simon the Wallbanger and Caroline the Pink Nightie Girl. I enjoyed their banter immensely, their carefully aimed insults and later their complicity. They made a wonderful couple even before they actually became one. I also loved their friendship. The attraction was always simmering in the surface but what really stood out for me was how they understood each other. It was beyond physical from the first glimpse. I also really felt like they completed each other and couldn't help but cheer for them since the very beginning (yes even when they were being insulting idiots to each other). I can't say I didn't love watching them trying to put their friends together too. It was hilarious. All the time complaining how their friends were blind for not seeing what was in front of them and they were doing the exact same thing. What astounded me of all though was the lack of clichés regarding their love story...I applauded Caroline's openness, her ability to overcome her problems but most of all her independent demeanour. In that regard, I cheered for Simon's truthfulness, his lack of imbecile behaviour and humour. They felt like real people to me. I will miss them.


*As a sideline, I have to admit I am intrigued with Simon's bedroom prowess. I wonder if he has a twin...*



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Review: Shadowland

Shadowland by Karen Chance

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Karen Chance keeps suprising me! This short is written a little differently. Seems to be more agressive and more imaginative. It would be, perhaps, a little intense for the novels but worked perfectly in this! It's exciting and heart-stopping! And there is so much Pritkin! For me, that's simply ideal! Rosier is also a nice addition! John and Rosier have such a complicated relationship that it's always interesting to see even the smallest interation between them.

This short however makes me miss John and Cassie so much! I can hardly wait for the next book!


-edited 11/11/13-

Yeah, it's true. I've read it again. I'm addicted to these little snippets with Cassie and Pritkin. They are amazing. Very well written and a balm for those poor souls who're waiting for the next novel just like me. I've also just re-read the previous one too. Still great. I think they become better each time actually. I'm always noticing little details I overlooked my first time and fall in love all over again.



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Review: A Blast from the Past

A Blast from the Past by J.L. Merrow

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Well this was fun. I didn't read the previous one but I got this for free and decided to give it a chance anyway and I wasn't sorry. I liked the characters well enough. The action was good too and my only regret is that it was a short book and it didn't really allowed for me to appreciate what was going on. Nice read though.



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Review: Guarded Desires

Guarded Desires by Lexxie Couper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I bloody loved it. There's always some trepidation from my part in all romances, specially gay ones. The balance between partners, from loving to possessive and hurtful, can change in a single heartbeat and I'm pretty careful with what I read because of it. Authors tend to show one gay man as the woman and the other as the manly one and that annoys me as all hell too. Relationships, like I said before, require balance to work in a healthy way, either it be heterosexual or not and it's important for me to see that in a book. I saw it in this one. They were both very confident in themselves (even Chris when he was doubting his sexuality), very humble and just plain interested in each other without wanting to overwhelm or dominate one another. That's pretty rare nowadays. Everyone seems to think possessive guys with a jealous streak can do anything if they're hot. I don't. So watching these guys together was pretty sweet. They should have dealt with their obstacles together instead of separate but it worked out well enough in the end and I loved it. They truly deserved their HEA. Both of them.



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Review: Steady Beat

Steady Beat by Lexxie Couper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I haven't read the previous three novels but if they are even remotely as good as this one, I truly recommend you to read them as fast as possible. The band members seem incredibly awesome, each and every single one of them. Remarkably humble and easygoing for men used to have millions of people worshipping the ground they stand on. Noah was so sweet and my favourite. Then again, maybe that'll change when I read the others (yes I'm already looking for them). I'm a little sorry Pepper won't be the lead singer after wanting it for so long but if she's happy only managing them...hey good for her. She seems to do it pretty well and the guys already love her. I do wonder who's gonna step up and do it. Can't wait to find out.



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Review: Educating Caroline

Educating Caroline by Patricia Cabot

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



After only the first pages I actually considered stopping reading this. The descriptions were overly flowery and elaborate and not much was happening to keep my interest. However, I gladly met Branden a few pages later...He was pretty subdued at first but when he met Caroline...his character almost jumped with fascination, amusement and even some trepidation of her. It was really funny to read. They were simply lovely together from the first moment. A man so accustomed to women was only pudding in her hands and she was no better. I still think the writing was overly done. There were entire paragraphs just to describe a dress, a cravat or simply the weather. When it was actually about the characters..oh well. More than a paragraph for sure. But it was incredibly entertaining, amusing and clever. After all, these descriptions did afforded us wonderful glimpses into the most intimate thoughts of Branden and Caroline. A bit difficult to follow sometimes but enlightening just the same. And I did love the ending. I'm such a sucker for a HEA.



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