Review of The Half of Us (Family #4) by Cardeno C.

by Cardeno C. 

4 Stars

If short-tempered Jason can open his heart and life to optimistic Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

Short-tempered, arrogant heart surgeon Jason Garcia grew up wanting a close-knit family, but believes he ruined those dreams when he broke up his marriage. The benefit of divorce is having as much random sex as he wants, and it's a benefit Jason is exploiting when he meets a sweet, shy man at a bar and convinces him to go home for a no-strings-attached night of fun.

Eight years living in Las Vegas hasn't dimmed Abe Green's optimism, earnestness, or desire to find the one. When a sexy man with lonely eyes propositions him, Abe decides to give himself a birthday present—one night of spontaneous fun with no thoughts of the future. But one night turns into two and then three, and Abe realizes his heart is involved.

For the first time, Abe feels safe enough with someone he respects and adores to let go of his inhibitions in the bedroom. If Jason can get past his own inhibitions and open his heart and his life to Abe, he might finally find the family he craves.

This is classic Cardeno C.  love, sweetness and a scorching read.  Seriously scorching.  Cardeno C. seems to have a formula to create memorable characters, sexy times and a romance that draws’ us in as readers.

What did we enjoy?

- The dirty talk:  Melt our brain, dirty talk.  So good.  These men are professional, they are loving, but in the bedroom, the dirty talk is out of this world great.  The difference between Abe in public, stuffy math teacher and Abe in the bedroom is addicting. 

- The family:  Jason has a family, and it is really a great twist how they all actually know each other.  And Abe just fits in.  Sometimes when one the men has kids it is this weird arm’s length thing, but Cardeno C. somehow finds a way for them all to fill into each other’s lives seamlessly.

What was the not-so-good?

- Declarations of Love:  So many times they were so close to saying it, and we missed that there wasn’t a verbal “I love you” to be found.  And we missed it.

- The kids subplot:  Loved the family angle, but it went a little too much incident involved with the kids.  Sorry to be vague, but it is a bit of a spoiler s don’t want to give too much away.

The Half of Us is classic Cardeno C., love, sex and fluff.  But adding the family angle into the story adds a complete next level to the story that we really really enjoyed!

Review of Fragile Ground by Louisa Keller

by Louisa Keller

4 stars

“Sorry, do I know you?” 

The last thing Olivier Sauveterre remembers, he was a closeted college senior, balancing furtive hookups with writing his thesis. But when a nasty car accident robs him of two years of memories, he finds himself thousands of miles from home, covered in tattoos, living with a man he doesn’t recognize. Gorgeous and enigmatic, Auriel is just Olivier’s type—but it’s clear there’s a big secret his supposed “housemate” isn’t telling him. 

“We’re not just roommates; you’re the love of my life.” 

Auriel Floros loves everything about his life: his job, his overgrown garden, and most all, his boyfriend Olivier. Quick-witted and fiercely passionate, Olivier is the perfect partner…up until he forgets who Auriel is. Suddenly, their happily ever after shatters before Auriel’s eyes. But medical professionals warn Auriel to keep Olivier’s stress level at a minimum, and Auriel makes the heart-breaking decision to pretend he and Olivier were friends and housemates—nothing more. 

“You still know how to love me…I’ll remind you.” 

Auriel misses his boyfriend desperately, longing for the easy intimacy and scorching sex they shared before the accident. Olivier can’t help gravitating toward Auriel, charmed by his patience and the elaborate home-cooked meals he prepares for Olivier each night. Over bowls of chili and late night talks, Olivier finds himself unable to resist digging into their shared history and trying to find out what makes Auriel seems so mysterious and sad. It’s hard to keep a secret when you’re living in the same house, and heartbreak seems inevitable as tension builds between them. Ultimately they have to work together to rebuild Olivier’s life, and in the process they find themselves on fragile ground. 

Fragile Grounds has been in our TBR list for a while, and we did crack it to read the Prologue.  But, it is a heartbreaking premise, losing your memory and living a life you don’t believe to be yours.  But Louisa Keller wades into this story and instead of suffering we find a sweet second chance at love.

What did we love?

- 2^nd chance love:  We really hate 2^nd chance romance, so much, we really stay away from that genre.  Fragile Ground is not a traditional 2^nd chance love, rather a twist on the genre.  It is about falling in love again with someone who you are to spend your life with, that no matter the circumstance that you will find yourself back where you should be.  Admittedly this can become too saccharine but Louisa Keller skits the line with Olivier who questions the choices the old him made, and if the new him would make the same.

- Amnesia: We think Louisa Keller treated the idea of Olivier’s amnesia as almost a 3^rd person in their relationship.  It was an interesting idea that we really appreciated.

What left us scratching our heads?

- The Truth:  Okay we guess springing on Olivier that he is an open gay man, living with a partner would be a lot to swallow, but instead of trying to explain his life, his friends and family left out the truth.  It felt a bit like they were all waiting for some miracle and for his memory to snap back, but it added a lot of angst to the story that could have worked out another way. We felt that if we were Auriel we would have fought a hell of a lot harder to be the one to support Olivier.

- The end:  We guess we kind of saw it coming, but it felt a little expected.  Like Olivier went on this huge journey of finding who he wanted to be, and not trying to be the person he was, and the ending just didn’t fit.  It felt like an ending for the old Olivier.

Fragile Ground is a fascinating story, a twist on a second chance romance.  We loved the writing style and the authentic characters.  This is Louisa Keller’s debut novel and we can’t wait to read whatever she writes next! 

Review of Psycho Romeo(Ward Security #1) by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

by Jocelynn Drake & RindaElliott

4 stars

The Ward Security Series is a spin-off of the Unbreakable Bonds Series.

Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats.

But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker.

He needs help and there’s only one person he trusts…

Protective Agent Sven Larsen has been fighting Geoffrey’s flirtatious advances for months, even though he’s impossibly drawn to the man. There’s no way he can be around him twenty-four/seven and not finally crack. But one look at Geoffrey’s haunted eyes, and he knows there’s no way he’s letting Geoffrey walk out of Ward Security without him.

Even if it means breaking his own rules, he will keep Geoffrey safe.

Authors of the incredible Unbreakable Bonds series have another fast-paced thriller in Psycho Romeo, the first in the Ward Security series.  We are so happy to have the collaboration of these great authors, and Psycho Romeo Is a terrific start to their new series.

The good?

-      -    Visiting our friends:  Although this is a new series, it does cross over into the Unbreakable Bonds boys, and yes, we did first meet Geoffrey and Sven in that series.  We really enjoyed that is a new series, but we still visited with all our boys.  We were sad to see the end of the Unbreakable Bonds series, and so happy that Psycho Romeo is a bit of a spinoff.

-     -     Build-up:  there is some sweet chemistry between Geoffrey and Sven.  They have great dialogues, banter and really see each other.  And when they finally give into temptation, Psycho Romeo is scorching hot, just like we knew it would be.

-      -    The Mystery or Thriller: Psycho Romeo is a romance, but also a Thriller/Mystery, and it delivers on both.  Even when the sexy times pick up there is always the undercurrent of the mystery, it is a great balance.  We really enjoyed this in the Unbreakable Bonds series, and glad that Psycho Romeo captured this magic.  The mystery moves the book along, and really bonds Sven and Geoffrey together. Psycho Romeo was loaded with action.

-     -     Geoffrey:  In the previous series, and at the start of this one Geoffrey comes across as a a self-absorbed, social media obsessed, throw away character.  But he is so redeemed in Psycho Romeo, and thank goodness as we really liked him.  Psycho Romeo goes into Geoffrey’s backstory and helps make him truly worthy of Sven and a happy ever after.

The not so good?

-     -     Continuation of a story?  The good and bad.  This presents as a continuing story and you don’t really have to read the Unbreakable Bonds series, but you will be on a steep learning curve for Psycho Romeo.  We liked that we got to visit with our beloved boys, but we also wanted a bit on a new story.  We have seen the bodyguard-client story before from these authors, and wished they would have taking their co-writing magic to a brand new story and characters.

Psycho Romeo is a fast-paced, action-packed, sexy read, and we really enjoyed every minute.  But, we do suggest that you finish the Unbreakable Bonds series first to get as much enjoyment as possible.

Review of Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow and David Romanov

by Melanie Harlow and David Romanov

4 Stars

I wasn’t looking for Derek Wolfe.I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.

He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real there.

But he does. He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing. He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.  I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.

This is an interesting story, and if we have understood correctly, the first foray into m/m romance for author Melanie Harlow, partnering with David Romanov.  Strong enough is a story of a deeply closeted Derek, and a man giving up everything to come out of the closet.

Strong Enough is a fascinating story idea; a man, Max, leaving Russia to pursue the American dream, and to being an open gay man.  Max is open, honest and so ready for a change in his life; he is really a joyfully delightful character.  And on the other end of the spectrum is Derek.  Derek is a little older than Max, and SO set in his ways, his beliefs and not straying from who he believes he should be.  Derek isn’t easy to like really, and actually we really wanted to shake him, and then shake him some more. 

This is a dual POV book, which really works.  Max and Derek balance each other, so well.  They are well written characters, and actually this is a very well written, face-paced book.  Their budding relationship and sexual tension kept us enthralled the whole time.  We feel Derek’s struggle with accepting who he is, and want his to step up and be the man that Max needs.  Max is open and loving and it is heartbreaking to see him denying himself what he wants, to be open a free to love who he wants.

The story did seem a little predictable, because let’s be honest, there are only a few ways a deeply closeted love affair could go.  But to be clear, this is not a gay-for-you story, deep down Derek knows why he isn’t connecting to all the perfect-on-paper women he is going pout with, he just isn’t ready to be open to himself.

We did struggle with the progression of a relationship between Derek and Max.  Max states over and over that he is not looking for a relationship, but finds himself falling into a secret relationship with Derek.  We felt that Max was finally able to be free and open, and found it hard to believe that he would tolerate being back in the closet for Derek, after a short time of knowing each other.  Although we love them together, it was hard to understand, and annoyed us a bit – again with us wanting to shake Derek. 

Strong Enough is a moving read, and we so enjoyed getting to know Max and Derek.  The chemistry between these two very different men is seductive, and they play off each other to create a love story that we couldn’t get enough of, and we couldn’t wish hard enough  for two men to get their happy every after.

Review of The Next Competitor by Keira Andrews

by Keira Andrews

4 stars

If he risks his heart, can he keep his head in the game?

To win gold, figure skater Alex Grady must train harder than the competition morning, noon, and night. He’s obsessed with mastering another quadruple jump, and due to the lack of filter between his mouth and brain, doesn’t have a lot of friends. As for a boyfriend, forget it. So what if he’s still a virgin at twenty? The Olympics are only every four years—everything else can wait. Relationships are messy and complicated anyway, and he has zero room in his life for romance.

So it’s ridiculous when Alex finds himself checking out his boring new training mate Matt Savelli. Calm, collected “Captain Cardboard” is a nice guy, but even if Alex had time to date, Matt’s so not his type. Yet beneath Matt’s wholesome surface, there’s a dirty, sexy man who awakens a desire Alex has never experienced and can’t deny…

A different kind of sports romance with slow-burn sexy characters – another total winner from one of our FAV authors Keira Andrews!

Alex Grady is driven, cold and takes no prisoners to get what he wants, Gold medal at the Olympics, is his ultimate dream and goal. He is a hard character to really get to love – at the beginning of The Next Competitor we were unsure if we could read a whole book with this Prima Donna figure skater who has chip on his shoulder.  But enter Matt Savelli, and Alex truly softened.  As the connection between Alex and Matt grows, the nasty demeaning Alex becomes more human.  He steps out of his comfort zone and we as so happy to see that Alex actually has empathy under his prickly exterior. 

Keira Andrews can write characters, and The Next Competitor does not disappoint.  She immerses us in a figure skating world; we can feel the cold stare of Alex’s Coach, the bitter cold of the ice on the rink and the aches and pains after falling over and over trying to get the Quad perfect.  This is not a long book, but that doesn’t limit the detail. 

So let’s talk about the relationship between Alex and Matt.  It is a sweet, slow-burn, low-angst journey.  Although they are both figure skaters they aren’t competitors, rather they are opposites.  They are both driven, but whereas Alex is single focused on the Gold medal at the Olympics without distraction, the road to the goal is Matt’s focus.  This difference brings about changes in their attitudes, for the betterment of both.   And as their relationship grows, so does their sexual tension, woohooo!  It is so good –sensual, dirty and swoon worthy.  Alex is a firecracker and Matt sees that beneath the icy exterior he is a passionate man, and helps Alex own that side of himself.  They are flammable!

All in all The Next Competitor is a great read; fascinating story of top-athletes, engaging secondary characters, slow-burn love and burnable between the sheets – so checkboxes all around! Keira Andrews builds another story that shouldn’t be missed!