Up for the Challenge by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

3.5 Stars

ETHAN:

I’m not used to anyone having the upper hand over me, and in a single night, Sean Wright rescues me twice. That’s why he intrigues me—why for the first time, I want another man. I’m used to getting what I want, and I don’t plan to let anything stop me. Only…he continues to get the best of me, and it only makes me want him more. When I start to see Sean’s not just good looks, hot sex, and constant competition, I realize I’m in over my head…and I might like it. He makes me laugh and he understands the pain I feel over my past, a pain we share. Even more than that, somehow, Sean *gets* me, but I’m not going to lie and pretend that giving my heart doesn’t scare me.

SEAN:

The night I rescued the presumably straight Ethan Harris…twice, I figured that would be the last time I saw him. However, he keeps finding his way back into my life and into my bed. Guess he wasn’t as straight as I thought. Ethan’s full of surprises, though, and being bi is just one of them. As cocky as he can be, he’s also sharp and witty...and even when he’s being his most arrogant self, he’s charming as hell. He likes to win, but so do I. However, as we get to know each other, I realize there’s more to us than the games we play in and out of the bedroom. It’s a game neither of us have played before—one we could both wind up losing. And with our hearts on the line, the real question is, when push comes to shove, are we both UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?

Up for the Challenge is another collaboration between Riley Hart and Devon McCormack.  It is a fun, easy, low-angst read with lots of good sexy between the sheets action.  

Loved?

-      -    Connection: There is a serious chemistry between Sean and Ethan, from the very moment they meet, there are sparks, and we can feel them being drawn together, even as they try hard to resist the pull.

-      -    Banter: there are some true laugh out loud moments, it is a humorous book.  But the real gem is the banter between Ethan and Sean, it is sexy, smart, and so fun, we wish there was more of it.

-      -    Bi vs. GFY: We really liked that these men were Bi, and not GFY, it was a nice change instead of another gay-for-you story-line.  It made the journey of their relationship and journey of actually accepting who they are. 

-     -     Secondary Characters:  Loved Sean’s parents – so much fun and added so much to this story.

-          Filthy:  Let’s get honest, Devon McCormack and Riley Hart can be filthy, and this book delivers.  The sex is searing, and so passionate, and so so so so filthy.

Meh?

-      -    Immature: Sean and Ethan are positioned as professional mid-thirty men, and instead if felt a little like college bros speaking to each other. 

-   -       Something to happen: as we said this is an easy read, and a bit too easy a love-story.  It is low-angst, which we loved, but sometimes a bit of angst id good.  We missed the friction, the rub in their relationship. 

Up for the Challenge is a fun enjoyable read, but it might not be of those memorable stories that you come back to over and over again.  We have always liked the collaboration between Riley Hart and Devon McCormack and can’t wait for many more stories!

Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

 Review of Owning It by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack

5 stars

Just out of an eighteen-year marriage, the last thing Jackson expects the first time he visits a gay bar is for a sexy, drunk, twenty-six-year-old twink to mistakenly climb into his Jeep. The twink part he’s good with, the drunk part…not so much. As far as Jackson’s concerned, the boy should come with a warning label. But Derek is not as flighty as Jackson thought…he’s actually pretty incredible. Getting to know the wild, funny man is a breath of fresh air. And when Derek calls him Daddy? Christ, he never thought something like that would feel so right.

Derek has serious daddy issues, and his name is Jackson. He’s stubborn and controlling…and ever since Derek woke up in the silver fox’s condo, he can’t get Jackson out of his mind. Maybe because no matter how many times he throws himself at him, Jackson doesn’t take the bait. And maybe because Jackson is the one person who sees him for who he really is. But Derek loves a challenge, and he’s eager to rock Jackson’s world.

Jackson isn’t interested in a meaningless hookup. He wants the real Derek, not just the sassy jokester everyone else sees. But it’s not easy for Derek to open up. He feels much safer guarding his heart. And Jackson needs to figure out the balance between living for himself and the mountain of responsibilities weighing him down. Derek and Jackson must find the common ground between hookup and commitment—if they can’t own their issues and work together to overcome their faults, they could smother the flame between them that’s just beginning to ignite.

So happy to finally read this book – Derek is a favouite character in the Metropolis series, and this book delivers his happy ending and SO much more.   We will start by saying that reading the description we weren’t overly excited for Derek’s story, and some Daddy kink, boy were we wrong, this is smoking hot, sweet, sexy and the best of the Metropolis series. 

Owning It is the 3^rd installment in the Metropolis Series, based around an apartment complex.  Derek is considered a twink, a go-to-fun guy, the life of the party, flirty and fun, and he plays his charter well.  After a drunken night of fun he stumbles in KJackson’s car thinking he is the Uber driver.  Jackson is newly divorced with a teenage son, and finally allowing himself to live his life for himself, and in walks hurricane Derek. 

Sign, this book is pure magic.  We love that Derek isn’t just a hook up to Jackson.  Derek struggles with letting everyone see his real self, and Jackson sees through his fun flirty exterior and wants to see the man underneath.  Derek needs someone to fight for him, to nurture him, someone he can lean on and Jack son is that.  Jackson really wants Derek to see his worth, and it creates this slow burn romance those notches up the sexual tension.  Let’s talk Daddy kink, woohooo, it is smoking hot.  Actually, this is our first Daddy kink book (say that 3 times fast!) , and there is something so sexy about Derek and Daddy Jackson, the heat literally melts the pages.  We thought it might be a little weird, but it fits Derek and Jackson, and only adds to the book.

Riley Hart and Devon McCormack are a formidable writing team, their voices blend seamlessly, and they weave a story that feels like every word moves the story along.  There is no unnecessary angst, ill-communication, or the usual pitfalls couples fall into.  Building through the Metropolis series, it is fun to revisit our favourite couples, but really excited about some of the new men being introduced. 

Owning It is a fun, flirty read that is one of our favourites this year.  If the Metropolis series keeps going this way we can’t wait to read the next books!

Review of FU: Fixer Uppers by Devon McCormack

by Devon McCormack

3.5 Stars

MIKEY

I've never messed around with a guy before. Not that I haven't been attracted to guys. The opportunity just never came up.

I stand at the front door, naked. My bro's roomie, Scott, is pissed about how much noise I made with the girl I just escorted out of their apartment, but I figured we were alone, and I couldn't help that she liked to scream out to let me know she was enjoying herself. Just like I can't help that the raging boner I have right now is for Scott, not her. I don't know what it is about the angry glare he's giving me that turns me on so much, but I just want to tug on his curly brown locks and hear him call out my name as I show him a good time.

Scott doesn't want anything to do with me. At least, I think that's the case, but I learn just how wrong I am one night when we wind up tearing each other's clothes off and racing for the bedroom. He blows my mind...and well, me too. We spend the next few days messing around before I head back to California. That's supposed to be the end of it. But after my sister makes a crap investment on a rundown house near my bro's apartment in Atlanta, I jump at the opportunity to help her fix it up. I don't want her to have to stay with our parents, who I've avoided since I left for college--don't get me started.

Scott volunteers to work on the project too, which gives us plenty of time to have a little fun together. It's supposed to be about fixing up the house, but the more time I spend with him, the more I realize it's not the only fixer upper Scott's working on. He's doing something to me--making me better. And even though I'm heading back home when this is all over, I don't want it to end. Because I'm falling for Scott...so hard.

If you have read anything by Devon McCormack you know he brings the heat, and FU: Fixer Uppers does not disappoint.  This is an easy read, with some fun charters and some serious steam.

What did we like about FU: Fixer Uppers?  Although Mikey is an arrogant egotistical bro, that is his charm. He is full of himself, and knows who and what he is, and that is a huge turn on.  And we loves Scott’s prickly exterior, his self-doubt, makes him endearing and makes you really root for his happy ending. And pray that Mikey doesn’t bereak his heart.

The relationship between Mikey and Scott is fun, hot and easy to understand.  They are both hot guys and enjoying having a good time together.  Mikey’s reaction to being so attracted to another man isn’t really a topic in the book, rather, it is explained the he has crushes on other men, but never acted on them. 

Where to book lost us a bit was the drama with Mikey’s family, and honestly we were a bit confused.  We understand what happened to their dynamic, but felt that Mickey’s continuous seriously angry reaction 15+ years later was a little stretched.  The relationship between Scott and his father was more believable, and so tended to highlight the disconnect between Mikey and his parents.  This is really the story of why Mikey is the player he is and how he doesn’t really settle down.

There is a lot going on the FU: Fixer Uppers, friends-with-benefits, sister’s divorce, house renovation, family drama, self-worth issues,  and a few other things , but somehow they kinda sorta work together?   Maybe.  But be warned, there is a lot, a lot, a lot of sex, like every other page.  We enjoyed the between-the-sheets, up-against-the-wall, in-the-moving-truck (you get the picture) sexy time, but there is a lot, so you might need a cold shower after finishing the book!

Review of Working It by Riley Hart & Devon McCormack

By Riley Hart and Devon McCormack
  
 4 Stars

 Such a fun read.  If you a looking for a sweet, romantic m/m loving good time, then Working It, the 2^nd in the Metropolis Series is one you should pick up!

The Metropolis series focuses around a group of single males all living in the same apartment complex.  And although this is the 2^nd story of the series (Faking It being the first) it is not, per se, a continuing story.  However, we do get to visit with some our favorite characters form the first book, the delicious Travis and Gary and the smart-mouthed Derek.  So much fun.  Working It can be ready as a standalone story.  

Working It focuses on the story of Hayden and Cody.  Hayden is a sweet, nerdy math fellow, who is struggling with the direction of his life after the end of a 3-year relationship.  Cody is a free-spirited, easy-going tattoo artist who has had his own trying journey with family.  They are brought together when Hayden needs a room to rent and Cody is willing give a hand-up to a friend-of-a-friend.  The outcome is hot, sexy and sweet!  

We really liked this book, there isn’t much angst, the plot line is pretty familiar (friends-to-lovers), and the story moves along.  But what really sets it apart from other similar books, are the characters.  You really feel like you know Hayden and Cody, and can feel the comfort, friendship, love and SPARKS between them.  Cody has a pretty one sided story; kicked out by parents, taken in by a stranger, but his optimistic streak helps Hayden move through his self-esteem issues and end up really complementing each other. 

Let’s talk about the good stuff!  Even though I have used sweet 10+ times describing this book, there is some serious heat, serious….like the threesome kind.  Yes, Yes and YES.  These 2 authors (Riley Hart & Devon McCormack) produce some pretty steamy books, but seem to have found the right level of heat vs. story for Working It.  The sex seems to enhance the love story and doesn’t overwhelm.

 

So, do you want an easy, fun, sweet, sexy read, then pick up Working It, you won’t be disappointed!