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 Rescue Me (Heathens Ink #1) by K.M. Neuhold

 by K.M. Neuhold

4 stars

“Your life can change in an instant”~ Madden
I never thought a night out could change everything. All I wanted was to dance, drink, maybe take a cute guy home for a night of fun. I met the guy, but the night ended as a nightmare. Screams, and blood, and tragedy haunt my dreams. I'm alive and I owe it all to the gorgeous marine who refused to leave me for dead. But how can I start a new relationship when I'm not even sure who I am anymore?

“I'll always save you” ~Thane
After a long work week all I wanted was to let my hair down and to meet a nice guy. When I laid eyes on the gorgeous, tattooed man at the bar, I had to have him. I never would have thought the night could end in such horror. I saved his life, and I swear I'll save him as many times as I have to. Even if it means saving him from himself.

So so so so so so SO good!  This is our first KM Neuhold book and we can’t quite figure out why! Rescue Me takes the horror of being at the wrong place and the wrong time and shows the reader what it takes to move past a traumatic evet and hopefully fall in love.

Thane is a hot firefighter, gay, but deep in the closet.  He likes his life simple, work and play and keep them that way.  He is an ex-military man that struggles with his sexuality and how the people in his life will react to who he really is.  But, he wants to forget all that and hook-up, just some fun.  Out at a gay club he meets Madden, a smart sexy tattooed man and the sparks are instant.  But when a traumatic event that night at the club, Madden is unsure of how to put himself back together, let alone start a relationship with his rescuer.

Rescue Me  is a book with some heavy themes; anti-LGBTQ shooting, suicide, teen runaways, coming out of the closet, and at some points it feels too heavy, but KM Neuhold pushed through and you are aching for a happy ending for these men.  We are always fascinated by how people meet and fall in love, and this book is exactly that.  Madden and Thane meet, and although there are all these barriers in their way they struggle to make it work for each other. 

But this book isn’t just about struggle; it is hot as all get-out!  Come on a Fireman and a Tattoo artist, hot all on their own, but together the chemistry is electric. There is a need, pull, want between Thane and Madden that is undeniable, and the push pull of their relationship flames the fires that kept us turning the pages. 

Rescue Me is the first in the Heathens Ink Series (spoiler: we already devoured the 2^nd installment of the series), and is set amongst a rag-tag group of friends who are all tattoo artists.  KM Neuhold defines each character with individual personalities and has set up their first book as a great teaser for the rest of the series. 

Rescue me was a surprise hit for us.  Really there are so many hurt/conform books out there, but this one really made us believe and hope for these men to heal to be together.  Pick up this series and we are sure you won’t be disappointed!

Review of Off Base by Annabeth Albert

by Annabeth Albert

3.5 Stars

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he's had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can't risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack's restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn't know how to be the man Pike deserves.

We really enjoyed Off Base by Annabeth Albert.  She puts a military spin of the gay-for-you tried and true storyline and it really works.  

Zach is a good boy Navy SEAL who is struggling with who he really is, and the pressures from his family.  And man do you feel for him.  He is struggling with his everyday choices and his parents and their expectations make him feel that nothing he is feeling is right.  They keep trying to push the all-American-boy, marry-a-girl, have-lots-of-babies on him, and he is unsure what he wants.  But meeting and moving in with Pike, an out gay man, he is faced with temptation everyday. 

This story has so many good points, some seriously hot scenes, great secondary characters (and let’s hope the next one is the series is about Apollo!) and some really sweet boys in love.  And although the GFY storyline is a bit overdone, the pressure in  Zach’s life really give credibility that he is struggling with his sexuality. Being that this is a spin-off of the Gaymer Series, it is really nice to see some old faces. 

But there are a few things that get a little bit much.  The angst.  Don’t get us wrong we feel for Zach being closeted, but the push and pull of what he wants or needs gets a little tiring, and our heart breaks a little for Pike that he doesn’t trust what they have. And honestly, the homophobia is overwhelming, not only from his parents but Cobb, another soldier, it gets a bit grating after a while.   

So, if you like a good GFY romance with sweet characters and some steamy between the sheets action then pick up Off Base by Annabeth Albert.