Review of Playing for Keeps (Glasgow Lads #1), by Avery Cockburn

by Avery Cockburn

4.5 stars

Rule One: No Drama!

Fergus Taylor is damaged goods. Reeling from a brutal breakup, he’s determined to captain his LGBT soccer team out of scandal and into a winning season. For that, he needs strict rules and careful plans. He does NOT need a brash, muscle-bound lad messing with his head and setting his body afire.

John Burns has a rule of his own: Don’t get attached. Boyfriends are for guys with nothing to hide. Nobody—not his university mates, not the men he beds—knows his family’s shame. Now his double life is starting to unravel, thanks to a certain Highlander whose storm-riddled eyes turn John inside out, who wears a kilt like he was born in it.

Fergus is the first man John wants to share his secret with—but he’s the last man who could handle it. John knows the truth would shatter Fergus’s still-fragile heart. But how can he live a lie when he’s falling in love?

We have fallen in love with the Lads of Glasgow.  Playing for Keeps is a different sort of sports romance; a rugby romance, with sexy accents and men is kilts – all good good things!

Fergus Taylor is reeling off a horrendous break-up, and wants nothing more than to forget his pain and focus on mending his broken rugby team.  Love isn’t for him, and he is fine to lick his wounds by himself.  But, while planning a charity rugby match he happens upon John Burns a closeted man, living a double life.  John is struggling with the pressures for his father, being closeted to almost everyone and how to be the man Fegus needs him to be.

What do we love about this series?  Avery Cockburn doesn’t shy away from real life, particularly topics that are relevant in today’s Scotland.  Religious differences, independence vote and the violent fervor of sports team dedication.  It is fascinating, and we loved it.  It felt like these are real men, living real lives, with real everyday struggles.

This is so much more than a sports romance.  Fergus is Catholic and John is Protestant, and even though we think that’s not such a big deal, but for them it is a big deal, religious differences and hatred are a reality of their loves, Catholics vs. Protestants.  We loved that Fergus and John are born to hate each other, born as essentially rivals, but because John essentially hides who he really for fear of losing Fergus, they see past what they are born to hate about each other.  And although the first rule is; no Drama, this book gives it to us in SPADES.  It is masterful how Avery has woven a love story of 2 very different men, born to hate each other, and with even all the road-blocks in their way, they still find love.

Fergus and John are smoldering together, they are sweet, sexy and ignite the pages.  Seriously, if you have every had a men-in-kilts fantasy than you NEED to read this book.  The sex is molten, and you can feel the passion between these men. 

So things that may turn you off reading?  The language – they is quite a bit of local Scottish words.  A few times they left us scratching our heads.  But all in all they tended to add to Playing for Keeps, they immersed us in Fergus and John’s world and made us believe we were really in Glasgow.  And one of our most hated tropes – hiding something important, because really what makes for drama other than keeping the truth from your lover to find out about and break up with you.  But, we digress.  John keeps who he really is locked away from Fergus for fear Fergus will walk away. However, we didn’t hate it.  John has so many things stacked against him, not only his family and his religion, but Fergus has been badly burned before and is so wary of letting him in.  Although still not our favorite, it worked here, you can see why John is keeping secrets and you feel his strife, angst and disappointment in himself in not being able to tell the truth.

This is our first Avery Cockburn book and we LOVED it.  LOVED!  Canna say enough – see what we did there?  Playing for Keeps tackles hard topics, religion, politics, family expectations, all things that aren’t romantic, but truly makes this book a real look at 2 men form very different world, and against all pressures falling in love. This is the first of a long series that is as great as the first book – spoiler – we loved it so much we devoured the rest of the series already!

Review of A Fashionable Indulgence by K.J. Charles

by K.J. Charles

4.5 Stars

 In the first novel of an explosive new series from K. J. Charles, a young gentleman and his elegant mentor fight for love in a world of wealth, power, and manipulation.

When he learns that he could be the heir to an unexpected fortune, Harry Vane rejects his past as a Radical fighting for government reform and sets about wooing his lovely cousin. But his heart is captured instead by the most beautiful, chic man he’s ever met: the dandy tasked with instructing him in the manners and style of the ton. Harry’s new station demands conformity—and yet the one thing he desires is a taste of the wrong pair of lips.

After witnessing firsthand the horrors of Waterloo, Julius Norreys sought refuge behind the luxurious facade of the upper crust. Now he concerns himself exclusively with the cut of his coat and the quality of his boots. And yet his protégé is so unblemished by cynicism that he inspires the first flare of genuine desire Julius has felt in years. He cannot protect Harry from the worst excesses of society. But together they can withstand the high price of passion.

A Fashionable Indulgence is the first in a new series by K.J. Charles, a historical romance set with around a small group of men the Ricardians who have the same tastes in bed-partners.  But don’t be fooled  by this book has intrigue, political strife and romance romance romance.  We love a good historical romance and seriously, K.J. Charles is one of the best at delivering.  This book is a m/m version of My Fair Lady, but with a lot more naked fun!

Julian, a Regency Dandy is tasked with turning Harry, a son of a long passed radical that had been dis-inherited by his wealthy family into a true gentleman of that time.  Harry’s grandfather wants to put the family back together and marry Harry off to carry on the family line, but knows he lacks the quality for the London season.   Julian is a bit of an un-likeable character that hides behind a perfect façade, but Harry’s love-of-life reminds Julian that there is love  and he is deserving.

What stands out about A Fashionable Indulgence is the characters, not just the mains but the group of Ricardians.  They create a world that you can totally believe.  K.J. Charles creates a whole world that you can easily find yourself believing, with the clash between upper and lower classes laid out between the 2 main characters.   Harry coming from the streets feels the divide keenly and brings a little humanity to the Ricadians who have lived at the top all their lives.

K.J. Charles is a master at weaving a story, and A Fashionable Indulgence does NOT disappoint.  Even if you aren’t into the historical romance, this book is SO much more!  We can’t wait to dig into the next sequels!

Review of Strange Bedfellows by Cardeno C.

by Cardeno C.

4-stars

Steamy, sexy, sweet love story is a HIT!

Ford Hollingsworth is a newly elected Congressman from the great state of Missouri, following in his staunchly Republican Senator father’s footsteps.  He e has been raised in a very conservative household where you honor the flag, go to church, get married and have a family.  And at the age of 37 finds himself moving away from his roots when his need for a personal connection with a man grows too hard to ignore.  Picking up a stranger to easy the ache his finds himself in bed with non-other than Trevor Moga.  Although Trevor is the son of the sitting Democratic President he hates politics, and has built a successful career for himself without his parent’s interference.   

Strange Bedfellows is steamy, Cardeno C’s books create some serious heat, and the spark between Trevor and Ford starts on the first page.  There are so many great things about this book, the relationship between the main characters is so genuine that you feel like you fall in love with them.  There is a secrecy about their relationship, and you feel the urgent need when they come together.  They are sweet, fluffy and endearing couple. 

There is lots of politics in this book, and we actually really liked them.  The struggle Ford has to honor his love for Trevor and the need to be re-elected.  We wish this could happen in real life, when political people are actually out! 

Now let’s talk about the good stuff…..whoowhoo, and it is good!  The sex in this book is hot!  There is quite a bit, but not overwhelming, and the dirty talk from Trevor is off the chart good.  The sex adds to their booty call- to – love story and adds to the realness of their feelings.

So, if you are looking for a feel-good, snuggle down on the couch and read a hot love story, then Strange Bedfellows is for you!