Review: Can't Touch - Chara Croft

Can't Touch by Chara Croft
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Can’t Touch by Chara Croft is a fast paced, sweet MM read. The story focuses on room-mates Tyson and Sean. Tyson is a confident, cocky jock who has a perchance for Twinks and especially that of his twink room-mate Sean. Sean is shy and sheltered but nothing makes him happier than looking after the domineering Tyson. The story focuses on their changing relationship with Tyson’s realisation that he has deeper feelings for Sean whilst Sean opens up with his feelings and fears to Tyson.

There are some triggers in this book, especially from Sean’s POV which might be difficult for some readers and there is definitely a lot of kinky moments between both characters. At the start Tyson is a difficult character to like, mainly due to his overzealousness about telling us about his conquests, but throughout the story he does change, and you can definitely see his feelings for Sean are pure and run deep.

Sean was a quiet character and after everything he has been through, you see why. It would have been interesting to see the men’s lives down the road since this is based on a college experience, but overall, a sweet a sexy read!

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Review: Bear - Carmen Jenner

Bear by Carmen Jenner
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ stars

Bear by Carmen Jenner is part of the Kings of Carnage series but can be read on a standalone. The book focuses on Bear and Jupiter. Bear is a gruff, former military and nomadic. Having left his MC chapter in Tennessee, he’s now in Georgia but with a broken-down bike, he’s kind of stuck. That is until he meets the fiery Jupiter, a purple haired beauty who takes no prisoners and certainly isn’t impressed by Bear or his alpha-male attitude.

Bear has an instant attraction to Jupiter, but it certainly isn’t reciprocated at first, it is only when he family run mechanics gets into trouble that she starts to become more open to him and then their relationship becomes a no holds barred as they navigate their relationship as well as try and stay alive when a rival MC tries to cause issues.

There is a lot of action, passion and snarkiness going on in this book. We also have the typical MC setting with gruff and protective men who don’t always say what they mean and come across as Neanderthal’s. But they are redeemable and all they need is a strong woman, which we definitely see in Jupiter. Not only is she looking after her family business but also her brothers whilst trying to sort out her brothers and reign Bear in.

If you like strong men and women, some bloodshed, dirty talk and some sexy times then this is the MC read for you!

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Review: The End Zone - Riley Hart

The End Zone by Riley Hart
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

The End Zone by Riley Hart was a wonderful MM read and is part of the Atlanta Lightening series. The book focuses on Jeremy and Darren. Jeremy meets Darren at his best friend West’s wedding. Just divorced and finding himself in a slump, Jeremy meets Darren at the wedding and the pair hit it off straight away, only Darren is straight so it can’t be anything more than friendship. Or can it?

This was a fun read with some sexual banter and two people trying to figure out who they are in a world that can sometimes be cruel. I loved the support that Darren had from his family (not everyone does) and the chemistry between the two men was off the pages! I also enjoyed that both men came from different backgrounds and although they had chemistry, they also had good communication throughout the book and build a strong bond before they become something more. I also love the LGBTQI+ books are becoming more diverse and not putting people into boxes but are helping readers to see and explore what different relationships look like and how asking questions is okay!

This was definitely a sweet read with some great characters, some deep emotions and some fun times. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

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Review: Shift Work - TA Moore

Shift Work by T.A. Moore
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ stars

Shift Work by TA Moore is a fast-paced book about Officer Kit Marlow a man who works for the Night Shift, a group of ‘police officers’ that don’t turn into wolves during the full moon, also known as a null. Thrown into investigating the death of young woman he is thrust into being a partner with security consultant and occasional wolf, Cade Deacon, an often times snarky and rude individual who has a very negative opinion of the night shift and people like Kit.

Whilst working together we get t understand some of the background of both characters and there seems to be a lot going on. For example, there are hints that Marlow could be a dirty cop, but also that there are lots of secrets in the Night Shift, and no one is your friend. The same can be said for Cade whose main goal is to make money (having grown up with non) and to find out what other shenanigans his ex-partner has been up too and what damage he may or may not have done to Cade’s security company. Mixed in with all of this is the will they/won’t they vibes that Marlow and Cade keep throwing each other. 

Yes, we may find out who is the killer by the end of this book, but we are also left with an enormous cliff-hanger and lots and lots of questions. Overall, I did quite like this book and I’m interested in seeing what happens with Marlow and Cade throughout this series as well as where both of them end up drawing their lines. 

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Review: Gunner - H.J. Marshall

Gunner by H.J. Marshall
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Gunner by H.J. Marshall is a steamy MC romance with a lot of drama, heartache and redemption. The story follows the lives of Gunner a man whose childhood and subsequent stint in the military has led him to be a part of the Death Hounds MC and Sadie, a young woman who has been through a traumatic event which has left her emotionally and mentally scarred. We follow their journey as the two characters lives become entwined, but it is not all sweet and rosy and there are some hard lessons for both of them along the way.

Gunner has to live with his past trauma as well as PTSD which does cause him to view relationships differently. There are times when he doesn’t treat Sadie the nicest and does things which may not be forgivable. Yet saying that, he is a likeable and redeemable character and knows that he has messed up. His love for Sadie could be seen as a little different as he learns about what she has been though and also the secrets and lies which have led not only the MC down a path of violence, but also his own path of violence and retribution.

Sadie is also a character dealing with her own trauma which can be seen throughout the whole book. But she also doesn’t suffer fools and won’t put up with the things that Ginner puts her through, and forgiveness is a long time coming. Her relationships with her brother and Uncle are both sweet and sad at the same time, but by the end of the book, she definitely comes out swinging and finds her own identity, which is a strong willed, determined woman!

This was a really good MC read, with a gritty storyline, a slow burn romance that burns white hot at points and is filled of violence, blood and redemption. It may not be for everyone and there could be triggers for other readers, so be warned!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Ink My Bones - Art Sapphire

Ink My Bones by Art Sapphire
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Ink My Bones was a sweet read in the Rule Breakers series by Art Sapphire. The book focuses on Saint and Jasper, two people who go through their own type of trauma and become stronger together, even when obstacles are thrown in the way.  Saint is a sweet, blue haired young man who likes pretty things and feeling good about himself, sadly having been in an abusive relationship for a while has done nothing for his self esteem or his emotional, physical and emotional health. But from his meeting with Jasper, the big, burly gentle giant who gives him his tattoo, sparks start to fly, albeit slowly but with a fiery passion.

Jasper is a sweet and quiet guy who hides himself away die to a ‘monster’ that he feels lives inside of him due to his obsessive personality and trauma from his past. But he sees something in Saint and only wants to protect the vulnerable young man, regardless of who he needs to protect him from. The past is difficult for both of these characters to overcome, and they both have self-esteem and trust issues, but they just work well together. Not that their relationship is easy with everyone having an opinion and danger lurking around the corner.

This was a sweet read with some really difficult issues thrown into the mix. There were also some heart-breaking scenes between both of the character’s and at times both of their story’s tug at the heartstrings. I enjoyed reading about all of the characters dynamics and how they all have their own baggage that their trying to work through.

Overall, an enjoyable read and I’m excited to read the next book in the series.

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Blog Tour: Rapture & Ruin - Julia Sykes

 

RAPTURE & RUIN by Julia Sykes

Release Date: September 14

Genre: New Adult/Mafia Romance

Tropes: Enemies to lovers/Virgin heroine

 

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

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Blurb:

“I am a monster out of your worst nightmares.”

 

Max Ferrara is a madman and a monster, but it’s not his scarred face that makes him a beast. He kidnapped me and tied me to a chair in his basement. He asked me crazy questions about my father, the mayor—insane ramblings about how my dad worked with the Russian Bratva to destroy his Italian Mafia family over a decade ago. Max thinks I know something about this conspiracy, but he’s wrong; my dad is a good person.

 

Once he lets me go, I’m determined to prove to him that my father is innocent. I have to put a stop to his misguided vendetta. But the deeper I dig for evidence, the more dangerous my life becomes.

 

Max tells me there are other monsters lurking in the dark, and he intends to protect me from them. Whether I want him to or not.

 

The scariest thing? I’m starting to think that Max Ferrara might not be so monstrous, after all…

 

 

 

About the Author:

Julia Sykes is a USA Today bestselling author of edgy, emotional romance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading.

 

Other than reading, her obsessions include iced coffee, unicorns, charcuterie, aged Manchego cheese (or any cheese, really), fancy dresses, and Roman empresses.

 

An American expat, Julia now lives in her adopted, beloved home of York, England. Most days, you can find her wandering the cobbled streets and daydreaming about her next novel.

 

Find out more about Julia's current and future projects at julia-sykes.com.

 

 

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Review: Bumbled Love: plus-size sports romance - Lila Rose

Bumbled Love: plus-size sports romance by Lila Rose
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Bumbled Love by Lila Rose is a sweet read which focuses on the characters Brooke Baker and Dustin Grant. When they first meet, Brooke is instantly attracted to the handsome football player, but a misunderstanding sees Brooke looking after Dustin’s son, Benji,  instead of going out on the date she thought he was asking her to do…..awkward. Since Brooke thinks that Dustin doesn’t find her attractive, she moves on, doing her own thing, looking after Benji and avoiding Dustin at all costs. If only it was that easy, especially when Dustin gets his act together and realises that Brooke could be his forever!

This was a hilariously sweet, fast paced read. Brooke was a great character and is one of those likeable main characters whose story you enjoy reading. His love for Dustin’s son, her friends and the people she has around her was great to read about, as were her highs and lows when it came to her feelings about Dustin.

Dustin is also a really great character, a little bit of a player, sometimes oblivious, but we can see that he is a good guy, he just didn’t think when it came to Brooke. But once she is in his sights, he isn’t going to let her go.

The chemistry between the two characters was smouldering as was the banter between all characters in this book. This was definitely a laugh out loud, fun book to read and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

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Review: Breaking Without You - Carrie Ann Ryan

Breaking Without You by Carrie Ann Ryan
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐ stars

Breaking Without You by Carrie Ann Ryan is the first book in the Fractured Connections series. This is a very emotional read which starts with Violet Knight having to bury one of her best friends who took their own life. We follow along with Violet as she comes to terms with a loss that was unexpected and has thrown her off her chosen path and reintroduced to her first love Cameron Connolly who unceremoniously broker her heart when he left without explanation.

Cameron chose a path which made him estranged from his brother, community and his first love Violet. Back in Denver, he is reintroduced to his brothers whilst trying to balance helping his 18-year-old brother, making his late father’s failing brewery work with the help of his brothers and coming face to face with Violet again after all these years.

This is a second time, slow burn romance between two people who are lost and trying to find themselves whilst everything else seems to fall apart around them. At points, it was an emotional book to read, especially as Violet comes to terms with her friend’s death and how she feels about that as well as her feelings for Cameron which have never gone away.

The book is definitely going to pull at your heartstrings and make you feel all emotional, but you will enjoy it!

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Review: Rapture & Ruin - Julia Sykes

Rapture & Ruin by Julia Sykes
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Rapture and Ruin is the first book in Rapture and Ruin series by Julia Sykes. The book focuses on Max and Allie. Allie is an innocent, trying to get on with her political internship, whilst dodging a former high school bully who likes nothing more to torment her and just living life in general. One night she is kidnapped by Italian mafia member Max Ferrara who accuses her of knowing about the dodgy dealings her father has had with the Russian bratva. Only Allie is an innocent and what starts off as a simple kidnapping turns into a slow burn relationship as they both try and find out the truth and try not to get killed.

Max is a scarred young man, who has dealt with a lot in his life. He also has to deal with family members who are horrible to him and would like nothing more than seeing him dead. His relationship with his sister is extremely toxic as his relationship with his mafia boss father. There are snippets that we see throughout the book of what life is like for Max and his saving grace does seem to be Allie who he literally becomes obsessed with. (The feeling is definitely mutual for both of them though.)

The book deals with a lot of topics from stalking, bullying to obsession and violence. It is certainly a page turner and ends with a huge cliff-hanger. I do like that Allie grows a spine throughout the book, but she still has a vulnerability to her which was refreshing. She also has some great people in her corner which help her grow. It will be interesting to see what happens next and what other truths are going to come to light about both Allie and Max’s family as there were a lot of twist and turns in this story and some seriously dodgy bad guys!

A really interesting, entertaining and slow burn read!

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

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Review: Wonderland - Jennifer Hillier

Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars

Wonderland is by a new author to me Jennifer Hillier. The book focuses on the Wonderland theme park set in Seaside, Washington. An idyllic place which seems to harbour a lot of secrets, most of them coming out of Wonderland itself.  Vanessa Castro is the new Deputy Police Chief in charge, after tragedy strikes, she moves her young son and teenage daughter there for a new start, but not everything goes to plan when a body turns up and young men are going missing.

This is a book full of twist and turns as we’re immersed in the park and the nightmares that it has brought to many people. Vanessa as a character was great as she is really flawed and trying her best but always seems to fall a little short. I also enjoyed reading about her backstory and why she ended up in Seaside. Seaside as a location was great as it is definitely rotting from the inside out, with secrets, lies and people in high positions covering things up. This is definitely a great psychological thriller, with some really troubled characters in it. There’s definitely a lot of therapy needed in the small town of Seaside.

To add to this is the background of the story being set at a funfair, where everything becomes spooky and threatening on a night-time. The clown museum literally gives me the frights! There is just something so threatening about this setting, even though it is a fun and exciting place, Wonderland definitely has some bad stuff going on at its core!

I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author ! A really good, thrilling read!

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Blog Tour: Tears of Betrayal - Michelle Heard

 

TEARS OF BETRAYAL by Michelle Heard

Release Date: August 30th

Genre/Trope: Mafia Romance

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57305294-tears-of-betrayal

 

AVAILABLE NOW!!!

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Blurb:

My father is the head of the Bratva, but being born out of wedlock, I’ve never been a part of that world.

Until a hit is taken out on me. I’m kidnapped in the dead of night and waking up, it’s to come face to face with Demitri Vetrov.

Dangerous and heartless, Demitri is the most feared man in the world. I’ve heard whispers of what he’s capable of.

I’m thrown into a nightmare where I don’t know who I can trust, and fear for my life is my only constant companion.

I’m forced to be at Demitri’s mercy, I’m just not sure he has any. It also doesn’t help that he’s disarmingly attractive.

Tall, dark, and deadly.

Knowing this, he uses it against me like a weapon, breaking down my walls faster than I can put them up.

There’s a war coming, and I’m right in the middle of it.

The only question is, will Demitri be the one to save me or kill me?

About the Author:

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

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New Release: Savage Heir - Jagger Cole

 

Goodreads - https://bit.ly/3mLsvnj

Amazon - https://amzn.to/38Awo5W

Synopsis

Bratva Prince. Beautiful monster. Irresistible villain.

“Just remember...you had the chance to run, and didn’t.”

Our introduction was a warning. Our first meeting, a threat.

They call him The Wolf—savage heir to the most brutal crime family in the world. A tattooed, green-eyed devil. A seductive psychopath who trades in mind-games and leaves a path of destruction in his wake.

To know Ilya Volkov is to fear him. To defy him, lethal.

Except, I didn’t get that memo. As the new-student outcast at the ultra-exclusive Oxford Hills Academy, where the offspring and heirs of the world’s most elite churn like a viper’s nest, I spit in the dark prince’s face.

Now, he wants to break me.

My plan involves a prestigious university, law school, and a golden future.

Ilya’s involves grinding me under his heal until I bend to his will. The harder I fight him, the deeper his claws sink.

The more I tell myself I hate him, the harder it is to resist him.

There’s a wolf howling at my door; huffing, puffing, and ready to blow my entire world down.

And pretty soon, he might just devour me whole.

About the author

A reader first and foremost, Jagger Cole cut his romance writing teeth penning various fan-fiction stories years ago. After deciding to hang up his writing boots, Jagger worked in advertising pretending to be Don Draper. It worked enough to convince a woman way out of his league to marry him, though, which is a total win.

Now, Dad to two little princesses and King to a Queen, Jagger is thrilled to be back at the keyboard.

When not writing or reading romance books, he can be found woodworking, enjoying good whiskey, and grilling outside--rain or shine.

You can find all of his books at www.jaggercolewrites.com


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Review: Games We Play - Dana Isaly

Games We Play by Dana Isaly
My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars

Games We Play is the short but sinfully sexy first book in the One Night series by Dana Isaly. The book tells the story of The Joker aka Jack, an online faceless gamer with a sinful voice who also brings people’s fantasies to life. In a moment of weakness, he is interviewed by the sassy, vulnerable and curvaceous Quinlan, both of them having an instantly hot attraction to each other. They agree to a night together where Jack takes charge, but somewhere along the way the lines become blurred, and both are left wanting more. 

The chemistry is hot and instantaneous between these two and the kink is strong throughout the book. There may be some triggers for some readers but read the author’s warning before you go into it! I really enjoyed this book and although it is short, a lot happens between the pages which leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in this series. A wonderful, hot erotic romance which is going to keep you turning the pages rather quickly to see what happens!

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