Hellhounds. If for no other reason to pick these amazing stories up, itās to meet hellhounds.
These are not the beings or species that are coming to mind when the name Hellhound pops up. Nopes.
The Hellhound species here? Welp,that wasnāt originally their name. But turns out itās a racial uh soecist slur that was flung at them sometime around the huge Species War. They thought it humorous so their Species Leader renamed their ENTIRE species! Yep Hellhounds.
Itās just the thing a Hellhound would doā¦ see? I treat them as if the exist!
They and Alistair deserve to be real!
Itās almost painful on a cellular level they donāt.
Alistair Smythe, covert op, top Investigator and part of the inner circle of the Lucifer is 6ā5ā of gorgeous muscular shifter energy!Sure most of the time heās so adorable, whether itās Karaoke nite or doing the Macarena, that we forget how incredibly utterly fantastic Alistair is at his job.
While still being absolutely Alistair, in all his magnificently quirky glory.
Hijinks With a Hellhound is Alistairās time to shine. It also brings him into close working conditions with Aiden Byrne, Felid shifter-Shifter Species Leader. At first what starts out as a clash of personalities turns, upon reflection and a little advice, into a journey of lust, espionage, and eventually love.
Itās a hellā¦hound of a ride!
Plus this incredible adventure introduces a new cast of important characters leading into the finale. Especially one species that will have you going oh no.. them and hellhounds? š±š¤£. The anticipation is off the charts!
Aiden and Alistair are so perfect together, and this story sets the foundation for the revelation and narrative explosions to come.
How could you not love this? And them? Hellhounds!
It goes without sayingā¦ absolutely recommended.
Along with the entire series!
If I only had a magic wandā¦..
Cover notes. Best cover of them all. That is Alistair! Absolute perfection!
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Synopsis: Iām a one-and-done kind of hellhoundā¦ I donāt catch feeeeeeeelingsā¦
Once upon a time, my first and last relationship taught me that romantic love isnāt enough to stop your boyfriend from trying to kill you. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. My awesomeness is now strictly reserved for one-nighters and casual hookups. Sure, my friends seem to be matching up in romantic bliss, but screw thatāIām not interested.
Besides, things are heating up at the Community of Species Government, and Iām right in the thick of it all. Those bad guys are going downāand not in the good way. They might seem to have the drop on us right now, but weāre going to turn the tables on them. Even if it means going on a mission with Aidan Byrne.
Iām still not happy about the way Aidan handled things with my bestest bestie a few months back, even if he did turn out to be right. Plus, thereās something about him that rubs my fur in the wrong direction. Heās the kind of guy who thinks karaoke is only for college kids and looks down on me for licking my own balls. He also thinks that just because heās the species leader, heās in charge.
Too bad for him, Iāve never backed away from a challengeā¦ even if it is unnervingly sexy and really bendy. A hookup wonāt lead to feelingsā¦ right?
One Bite With a Vsmpire introduces us to Noah Cage, a human who is one of the most fascinating characters of the Hidden Species series. Noahās personality and character is one of unknown depths, continual growth, and unexpected revelation.
Honestly, even at the end of the series finale, I felt as though the life force and Louisa Masters wasnāt done with Noah yet.
Heās almost mesmerizing in his grumpiness, painful past of which we are never fully cognizant, and inability to fully trust.
His scary journey here to the CSG and the found family of species within the inner circle of the Lucifer is a white knuckle ride.
That itās Andrew Turner, the 800 year old vampire, with a fondness for cake and snark whoās the being thatās the one at Noahās side? Both a touch of perfection and source of poignancy.
For as irritation slides into lust and then something more, whatās continually highlighted is Noahās humanity and short lifespan against Andrewās great age and continued longevity.
And we watch as both Andrew and Noah each try to deal with this element of their relationship in their own way, unsuccessfully, however subtly.
Masters can, with just a few sentences, create a scene of such emotional fragility , containing both despair and hope, you will want to weep.
And she does it over and over again.
Book after book here in this series.
Then follow it up with one of equal hilarity.
Goddess love those hellhounds!
While I have focused on Noah here as a character, Andrew Turner , vampire, is just as complicated as his years would have made him. More of his background and history as it relates to other members of the inner circle comes out in another vastly important and emotional story. But much like Noah, Andrew has just as many depths and dimensions to him waiting for us to discover.
They are a truly great pair.
This story doesnāt so much end on a solid note so much as it gets ready to flow into the next book.
This is a ending youāre going to see until the finale as the huge investigation ramps up and the horror begins to unveil.
So yes run immediately to Hijinks With A Hellhound because you need to know what happens next and well, itās Alistair. Thatās reason enough.
Honestly Alistair became alive to me as did all the Hellhounds. I physically hurt over the fact they donāt exist. We really need Hellhounds in our lives. Especially Alistair.
At any rate. Noahās journey which starts here is a compelling and emotional story. So is his romance with Andrew, full of snarky love, pain and surprise.
Iām highly recommending One Bite with A Vampire and the entire Hidden Species series.
They are must reading for me.
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Synopsis:Getting kidnapped was never part of my life plan. But being rescued opened up a whole world of crazy.
Itās not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Governmentāand especially not when youāre the rescue case. Two years ago, I was planning to go to college, have a wild time, then settle into a normal life. Instead, I was kidnapped, spent months being a test subject, was in hiding for nearly a year, and then found out that my whole existence is a science experiment conducted by the bad guys. Itās definitely time to reassess.
My rescuers at CSG have been awesomeā¦ mostly. They gave me a job, a home, and a support network. But the whole demons, vampires, shifters thing is not easy to get used to. Especially when one particular vampire makes me want to take up stake sharpening for a hobby. How can someone be over eight centuries old and have the maturity of a drunk frat boy?
The thing is, teenage mentality or not, Andrew is a fierce protector. With the bad guys still on the loose, I need someone like that on my side. Plus, did I mention that heās not hard to look at? I could stare at him all day if only he never opened his mouth.
As we race to find my former captor before he can find me, life takes another twist and upends my world all over again. This time, though, Iām readyāafter all, Iāve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?
Well, finally, here I am! Back at the beginning of the Hidden Species series Iāve been meaning to return to after finding and diving into the first novel at the start of the sequel series (Dragon Ever After
That story and the introduction to all the amazing characters and existing universe (plus writing style of Mastersā) had me hooked but good.
Still it took a while.
Now Iām gobbling up the Hidden Species books like bonbons.
Which works really well because they flow smoothly one into the next.
Louisa Masters actually sets up all the series, both of them, by presenting us with the complicated story of Sam Tiller, a man who will become the heart of the CSG , the center , and by that I mean the admin, of the Luciferās team , and the first to get his romance. Heās also setup here to slowly work himself into the center of our and all the hearts of this marvelous found family of various species.
Oh wait til you get to the Hellhounds!
In all that, the title may be a bit misleading because the demon in question is Gideon, a feared and formidable Investigator of the luciferās first team at CSG.
Ok the Lucifer? Itās a title, not a devil. Nope, nothing to do with religion. Thatās just a bad rap from a pissed off bunch at the other end of a bargaining table. Iāll save it for the story.
At any rate. Thereās a complicated relationship between Sam and Gideon thatās amazing to watch unfold, full of sexy dynamics and awesome UST.
However, itās Samās journey here that is unexpected. Emotionally compelling, imaginative and action wise fantastic, and page after page, turns this into a tale of depth, pain, personal growth, humor, and love.
And yes horror. Thatās a series thread, one of growing horror, you will see as a major mystery keeps looming ever larger over the group.
Honestly once you set out to read these books, just know youāre not going to want to stop until youāre finally done. Just have all the books lined up ready to go like I did and plow right through!
Then onto series 2!
Honestly what a great treat is in store for anyone who hasnāt discovered this author or series.
Great characters, amazing universe, wonderful writing, and humor to keep me in stitches while it had suspense that had me holding my breath! Love that! And this!
Synopsis:The truth is, Iām an admin assistant who applied for a job that sounded kind of interesting and ended up working for the Community of Species Government. Iām the only human in the office, and basically I ride herd on a team of rambunctious shifters and demons.
I also spend a lot of time avoiding Gideon Bailey, the demon I had a one-night stand with right before I took this job. He hates me, and I really want to avoid being murdered. But Iāve been offered a promotion that will mean working with him, so weāre both going to have to get over it.
Plus, people are going missing. Pregnant people. And the word is that someone is dabbling in genetic experimentation. Putting a stop to that is more important than the sexual tension Gideon and I have been ignoringā¦ isnāt it?
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Cover note. Of all the covers in this series, this is the only one for me that missed the mark. For me thatās not Gideon, cold, aloof, forbidding, Rich Gideon in any way. Too bad. The rest are fabulous and spot on.
Author Meghan Maslow is a writer I only recently became familiar with but already sheās a must read and highly recommended one. Iām quickly gobbling up anything from her that Iāve not read yet. Which is how I came across this outstanding story.
The Demon’s in the Details
by Meghan Maslow was previously published in the Fables Retold Anthology, which I somehow missed.
Now rereleased as a stand-alone story, itās fairytale storylines, outstanding characters and great location of Baltimore all combines into one fantasy to remember.
Honestly, basing this in Baltimore? Epic idea! From all the memorable historic locations in and around Baltimore that get used, beautifully I might add, in this story and plots, you have the authorās use of Raven shifters and a major character with the name of Poe.
Edgar Allen Poe , the author and poet is synonymous with Baltimore and heās buried there. To locate a clan of Raven shifters there? Perfection! And have as one of its main characters a Raven shifter in need whoās also a theft? Genius!
The demon Tommy is such a well developed character and has so many well defined layers to his personality that it was marvelous watching the tiny reveals. Almost as fascinating and wonderful as it was watching the dance of attraction/passions play out between Poe and Tommy while all the other clan and territorial drama ignites around them.
Maslow doesnāt shortchange any character here, all get plenty of attention to detail and admirable depth to each. So much that we learn to anticipate and enjoy each one as we see them and their interactions with our couple. Whether itās Carter or Kennedy or Lucy, one of the twins. Itās more, pls, of everyone, well, except Ethan. That stepfather was pure evil.
I really do need a sequel here. Need to know what happens to certain other characters and how the roost is doing. Even how a certain crow is enjoying his new digsā¦.
Maslow made these beings come alive and Baltimore, itās history and plain weirdness, never came across better.
What a grand story, what fantastic beings, how I love this!
And highly recommend it!
Synopsis:Can a sexy demon really spin straw into gold?
Poe Dupin, raven shifter and thief extraordinaire, is in trouble with a capital āT.ā Not only did he get his wing caught in the cookie jar during his latest heist, but his loser stepdad, the alpha, seems determined to run their roost into the ground. And Baltimore is many things, but forgiving is not on the list.
When his stepdad puts the roost in peril, Poe sees no choice but to bargain with Charm Cityās only demon, Tommy Tittoti. Rumors are that Tommy eats the souls of those foolish enough to try. Three strikes and youāre out. But really, Poe wasnāt using his soul anyway. And if it saves his roost? Worth it.
Tommy isnāt what Poe expects. Demonāhuge, horned, hairy, and scary, right? Nope. Blond, gorgeous, with a bubble butt, and a lilting drawl that beckons Poe to come play. Total hookup-app fantasy material. Even if he is a murder twink.
Poeās no angel, but Tommy . . . well heās more devil than demon. Yet, Poe just canāt seem to keep his feathers out of the fire. As one bargain turns into two, and then a third tragedy strikes the ravens, Poe finds himself falling for a guy who may very literally be the death of him. Or maybe the flames will burn them both.
The Demonās in the Details is a fast-paced, roller coaster of a romance with a guaranteed HEA and lots of steam. Shenanigans include: a gold object that is definitely not a ring, a best friend whoās trigger-happy, and a demon whoās got a few surprises up his, uh, sleeve.
**Previously published in the Fables Retold Anthology. ~60,000 words. No new content has been added
Itās play hockey time so I canāt get enough of my favorite sport, that includes reading about it in my romances.
Amy Aislin is in that top group of authors I recommend who write outstanding hockey romances. Her stories include both great characters but just as importantly the fact that this author loves and understands the game of hockey in all its aspects. And feeds the reader that love and knowledge through various threads of storylines and themes.
Also with Aislin (as with other authors of hockey romances) , her characters, couples and stories are written so they intertwine into a rich satisfying tapestry of hockey, romance, and HEA. People, couples, teams, the Toronto Trailblazers, Glenn Hill College Mountaineers (college team), Burlington, Vermont, Vancouverā¦. People, places, teams that weave together in book after book, a delightful rich and colorful ongoing flow of love that has never ceases to amaze me.
The Play of His Life is a perfect example of this. I even remember when Riley got hurt on the iceā¦. In another story. Then he was a solid member of the Trailblazers. Until his injury took him out of the sport he loved. We sort of wondered what happened to the likable Riley. But never found out.
Until now.
But here we delve into the complicated background and painful history of not just Riley but the man he left behind.
And the second chance at love they both get. Yes, one of my favorite tropes.
With a two person POV that I always find works so well, Aislin gives us the background of both men, all the way to kindergarten through all their formative years, to first love and then the issues that divided them and tore them apart for years.
Itās touching, moving, funny, frustrating, and , raw. I loved it, these men, and their journey back to each other and HEA.
Plus , yes we get to see so many okād friends as well, as usual.
The writing is so good I could free the biting cold coming off the lake, feel my hands freezing in the cold winds, and the absolute joy in a young boy hitting his first pucks. Magic.
Consider this and all the Amy Aislin stories highly recommended.
Synopsis:The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he’s still in love with the jerk?
Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he’s got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian’s life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him…
The Play of His Life was originally published in 2017. This updated version has a brand new cover, but very little new content aside from grammar and typo updates and the addition of the bonus epilogue that was originally available via subscription to Amy’s newsletter.
Recently Iāve been reading books with older characters, in their 40ās and one aspect Iāve appreciated about these stories from various authors is the open and adult communication that flows between most of these characters.
Firefly Lane is a great example of this level of open communication. It exists not just among the primary characters but also throughout the community of the town of Harmony, whether itās blunt questions or advice. Itās still on the open adult communication scale .
Hartās themes for this story run the gamut from the ability to grow and change oneās outlook, no matter your age to the notion that finding your true home has no timetable. Even such basics as you arenāt your parents. Thereās a multitude of storylines here. All unpacked with care and intelligence.
At the heart of the story is not a couple of men but more a intersecting triangles of families, all of equal importance to this story and beautifully crafted.
The first family that launches the novel and action is that of two siblings. Holden Barnett, pilot out of Atlanta, and his estranged younger sister, Marilee Young, and her teenage son Sean. The sister and son in deep need, living in Harmony, NC.
The second family, one thatās deeply established and well liked in town is that of Monroe āRoeā Covington of the huge Covington family, his teenage son Wyatt who he had with his best friend Lindsey. Roe is out gay man to all around him and has been since his teenage years, although his closeness to Lindsey has people thinking , wrongly, they still might get together.
The foundation Hart starts to lay down here for the series is solid. We feel a warm, layered community, full of interesting people, some busybodies, many far more intriguing and caring.
And as we see our way around Harmony and get to know the citizens, the past histories and real issues are coming to the surface within the two families.
Itās never just problems with Holden and Marilee and Sean. Because their heavy issues impact Roe, Wyatt, and Lindsey. All as we watch, we see parents/uncles weighing what effect their adult relationships will have on their sons as well as their sons/nephews relationships. Yes, people actually acting as responsible adults. Love it.
All the while, keeping the romance sexy, endearing, and vulnerable.
Thereās also a back history of parental abuse ( mentioned , never seen) with Holden and Marileeās folks as well as Seanās father Adam, Marileeās absent husband. That plays into much of the story here, and finally figures into the personal growth.
I found this to be a terrific story. So many layers, great characters and foundation Town to get acquainted with.
I canāt wait to the next in the series and eagerly look forward to seeing all these people and couples once more.
Synopsis: At forty-three, Holden Barnett is getting along just fine. His job as a pilot keeps him from getting restless, and heās got a man who doesnāt want promises for the future. One phone call from his estranged sister changes everything. She needs his help, so Holden drops everything and heads to Harmony, a small town in Briar County, which represents everything heās tried to avoid in life.
Monroe Covington is forty-five and happy. He loves his lifeārunning his store, helping at his familyās farm, and spending his days with his best friend, Lindsey, and their son, Wyatt. Sure, half the town likes to forget heās gay, and heād love for the queer population to be bigger, but Roe makes do. He misses dating, relationships, and a man to hold at night, but at least he gets new eye candy when Holden, the brother of the woman whoās renting his cabin, shows up.
The attraction is instant, the friendship not far behind, but between Holdenās initial relationship status, family complications, and the two of them wanting different things, theyāre a disaster waiting to happenā¦only it doesnāt feel that way, not with how much time they spend talking, laughing, and eventually, tumbling into bed, a field, or the back of a truck together. The closer they get, the more Holden realizes that just being fine isnāt enough, and Roe begins to see that his life isnāt as complete as he thought. Now, if they could only sort out the rest of itā¦
Firefly Lane is a small town, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers summer romance with no cheating, mature characters who talk out their problems, like to work with their hands, and have amazing chemistry. Did I mention they watch movies in the company of goats?
Here it is. The final story and the end of a series I really donāt want to say goodbye to. Hmmm perhaps the author will give me a path to potentially seeing them all againā¦.
Anywayā¦ back to Drilled . Itās that wonderful best friends to enemies to lovers story we all love to read.
What? Thatās not a trope? Sure it is. If not perhaps it will be after this book.
Apollo Day, the scowling brooding hunk at the Four Bears Construction Company has always been a bit of a mystery man. While not above joining in ,albeit quietly at night, in the groupās company many pranks, and in the Friday night Wollseyās get togethers, he still has managed to remain a bit of a unknown quantity.
Then the newest hire shows up and that threatens to shatter any calm Apollo has demonstrated and the new home heās building within the company. Not that heās admitting that.
The new guy? Thatās forty year old construction builder Ridgeway āRidgeā Tanner. Heās recently returned to Wisconsin, a place he formerly called home. Still, heās shocked to see standing in the office of the company thatās just hired him a man he hasnāt seen in 15 years. Behind them a shared past in which they were once so close no one knew the other better then themselves. Until he detonated everything in a single day and they both lost it all.
Mini explosions start the story off immediately as Apollo wonāt tell Cole and the rest of the company why thereās bad history between Ridge and himself. Ridge wonāt enlighten the crew either. But both are needed on a special jobsite as all the others now have partners/husbands, increasing responsibilities outside of work.
The special work order includes a month long restoration job at a summer camp that both Apollo and Ridge first think is a prank but is in fact an important and large scale camp renewal. At a remote location.
This is a perfect way for the reader and the men to connect/reconnect. Because at first nothing of their former history is mentioned. But the daily construction work and interaction starts bringing up old memories.
Again, the 2 man POV is an intimate format to share the thoughts and feelings of men not inclined to voice their pain and anger , especially of those struggling with their emotions and memories as these two are.
Stubbornness and silence, the need to escape rather then confront an issue, things that seems to be Apolloās fallback measures. All in full force.Until Ridgeās efforts to make Apollo listen to him finally make the past and the events that broke them apart make sense.
Itās a fine line here between what should be revealed and spoilerville. Itās just not worth it because the central conflict is also a major part of the reveal and a revelation. So it will remain not a part of this review. Iāll just say the anticipation leading up doesnāt disappoint.
All the stories have had such different angles to them. Men needing to earn partners trust who have had been relationships, men overcoming their own mistakes and fears as well as assumptions about true love, men coming out of the closet late in life, age gap, a trans man completely at home in his body but a partner to be whoās not, but all those weāve basically followed from meeting to HEA. Even Miller and Demetriās childhood camp past was briefly mentioned but happy mostly , puking incident aside.
But this is the first story where the past severely impacts the menās present. That their history has caused them both such deep emotional damage over the years becomes obvious. Especially in the stunted romantic areas. Neither has had a committed relationship, and neither has forgotten the other.
Nuehold brings the pain one pleasure of remembered past through so clearly here. Itās in the gestures, frustration that boils over, and the stress and strain of the enforced physical presence of each other. The reader feels it as much as Ridge and Apollo.
When all the secrets are revealed, itās not the happiest of environment youād expect. Because then all the What ifs come naturally into play , all the regrets, guilt, and what it all means now in their current lives.
That the reader wants them together is obvious. They are made for each other. But again thereās some very realistic hurdles to overcome here. Do they? Of course, this is the Four Bears Construction series so we and they get their HEA joyous ending!
All the men and their partners/husbands make a showing here. Of course. Thereās humor, because this series is full of laughter. Thereās animals. Cats this time.
And a HEA finale. No really a link to a story that sees all the couples a few years in the future all together at a birthday party. Simply wonderful way to tie it all up.
I had questions because Nuehold has created some memorable characters here that have lived and moved in and out of the lives of our couples. One has been Porter, a full on vet at the end of this story. Poor Porter, Watsonās bestie, went out on dates with a few of the guys and it never ended well for such a sweet man.
He ends up here swearing heāll marry the next big, hunky bear carrying a box of abandoned bunnies he sees. Be still my heart. Pls give this man his bear and bunnies.
Plus through Demetri ,West and yes Ridge, we got familiar with Auggie (Demās neighbor) and Tallahassee (sometime date of two of the guys) from the Big Bull Mechanics Shop. Great news!
Next up from this author? Yup the Big Bull Mechanics series. Auggie is another great character as is Tallahassee. Canāt wait to see them again and maybe one will be Porterās bunny man. I can always hope.
So while normally Iād be bereft at having to say goodbye to these amazing people and their joy-filled, sweet, heartwarming love stories, Iām looking forward to the next group of bears and hopefully a sighting or two from these books.
Honestly what a lighthearted, happy reads each one is. Iām sure Iāll be revisiting them at some time.
Because as Stoney would sayā¦
āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā
Nonsense, humor, sweetness, and so so much love.
My heart is so fond of these couples and books it feels huge.
Yes highly recommended. I think they should be read in order because itās just more fun to see the progression that way.
So hereās the list:
Four Bears Construction series and their animals:
šµCaulky #1: Cole and Renās bees
šµNailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
šµHardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
šµScrewed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
šµStud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
šµStripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes tortoises!
šµDrilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log and family. Iāve been waiting to see a cat tbh.
šµGoats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue- free story linked on Drilled.
A month in a remote cabin with the last man I ever expected to see again? I canāt decide if I should punch him or drill him. It might end up being both.
After more than a decade, the last person I expected to see walk into the Four Bears Construction offices as a new hire was Ridge.
He was my first crush, and my first heartbreak when he started dating my sister. When he left her at the altar without so much as a note, I wrote him off for good.
No amount of excuses and explanations can erase what he did. At least thatās what I keep telling myself. But when we end up being sent to a remote campground alone to spend a month rebuilding the cabins, itās too easy to remember why I fell for him in the first place.
I know the guys are all taking bets on how long it takes us to start playing with each otherās tools.
Itās going to be a long month.
*** Drilled is a forced proximity, best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, hilarious and steamy, final book in the Four Bears Construction series. It can be read as a stand alone but you won’t want to miss this whole hilarious and hot series. No bear shifters, only the other kind of burly, hairy bears
So Iām finished with the penultimate book, sigh, as as with all the others there are many great elements here, so much fun and great joy. Also unexpected little narrative gems that continue to leave me smiling, even now.
This is, like most of the books in the series, a low angst sexy, full of love and laughter novel. Yes, a main character has some social anxiety and low body imagery to overcome but itās probably not the one character people are going to expect.
No itās not Miller. Miller is completely at home in his body and identity as a trans man. Heās had a supportive family and a great therapist to help him through his transitional years and issues, both with his dimorphism and his ADHD. Itās the later that has Miller at the gym twice a day, working off the energy and allowing the chemistry in his body the outlet it needs for him to settle and focus.
Miller is funny, mature , and his outlook on the people around him gives us an additional window into the various personalities of the Four Bears Construction Company and their partners. Heās part of the family and also one they admire.
No, the adorable man with body issues and social anxiety brought on by years of men making him feel awful about himself and his perhaps rotund bear like shape is Dr. Demetri Rose. Lover of Ancient Rome, knitting, and his pet tortoise Mars. Demās exes have made Dem feel inferior about everything from his body image to the fact that he likes knitting to even the way he has sex. So now Dem has just retreated into his classroom and his house.
We immediately connect with Dem, the way heās been bullied and hurt. Heās such a sweetheart and the reader wants him to go and find love. Now!
All it take to get these two started is a construction job at the university.
Millerās meet/embarrassing moment with Demetri is both awfully funny and hands to the face just let me die now embarrassing. That it ends with Miller looking still embarrassed but also amazing is why I love this series so.
These men feel real, their romance dance dynamics genuine at every step and absolutely relatable. Itās gentle, at times humorous , moving, and downright sexy. How I love this couple!
From Dem and Millerās frank discussions on the elements in their sex life going forward (both blunt and funny) to dancing in the rain magic, this book sings of moments of joy, laughter, and love.
It also has one of my favorite Stoneyisms. āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā If youāve read these stories, you know that apparently Stone grew up in a household where every well known saying doesnāt exactly come out the way everyone else knows it to be. His mother laying down the ālogā to his father about somethings, the explanation behind each being the absolute best. She laying the foundation of her argument. I must say ,,,, um yep.
Another one āThereās more than one way to pet a cat.ā Because skinning a cat is plain awful. Why would anyone do that. Why indeed.
So Iām with Stoney on most of them. And yes totally right. āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā It definitely does,Stoney.
Yep, another must joy filled read. Another highly recommended romance. Love, love this book and series.
Btw? Adore Mars and his knitted cosies. And Shelldon too. Each story and couple have their own pets to accompany them on their journey to HEA. This time itās tortoises to the rescue!
Special note here too. Demetri has a great neighbor, Auggie. A mechanic who was clearly crazy about the oblivious Dem. Auggie works for Big Bull Mechanics, a auto shop thatās competitive with Dareās Auto. Itās equally full of gorgeous men. We get to meet a few here and in the next story. FYI wonāt be the last weāve seen of this group.
Synopsis: A ripped, transgender construction worker and a tweed-wearing, tortoise-shell-cozy-knitting, bear of a professor… Somebody’s getting stripped.
The last place I expected to run into my childhood camp crush was at the local university, looking all kinds of cute in a tweed jacket with a nervous blush. Iāve always had a bit of a thing for the nerdy professor type.
Demetri says he doesnāt date. I want to believe that itās true and not that heās not interested in a transgender man like me. If all he can offer me is friendship, Iām more than happy to take it.
Coy looks during sweaty workouts, rainy nights on his couch watching him knit shell cozies for his pet tortoiseā¦ Iām falling for him whether I want to or not.
Can I break down his walls and prove to him that he can trust me with his heart? And can I trust him with mine?
***Stripped is a swoony, steamy MM romance that is the 6th book in the Four Bears Construction Series. It can be read as a stand alone, but you wonāt want to miss these bearās antics. This series does not contain any shifters, only the OTHER kind of bears.
Four Bears Construction series:
šµCaulky #1
šµNailed #2
šµHardwood #3
šµScrewed #4
šµStud #5
šµStripped #6
šµDrilled #7
šµGoats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue
Stud, the fifth novel in the Four Bears Construction series, is a great example why one should read these stories in the order they were written.
Over the past four novels and romances, weāve watched the West and Sawyer drama.
Or non drama. Because, although a stone could tell how much in love West has been with the bar owner since the first time they met, Sawyer has firmly kept West in the friend zone, if that. Book after book, glances, even a trip to Hawaii which we get caught up on here, we have seen these two men in serious denial/want about each other.
But in Stud, everything changes. And per this series,the swing in dynamics starts off hilariously. Omg, China dolls! Nope, no spoilers.
West , the nephew of Dareās (Stoneās mechanic husband),has been a great character throughout the series. Heās been supportive, funny, all the while going through his own amount of personal growth as a young man and craftsman. Heās amazing. So Iāve been waiting for him to get his man and HEA.
Neuhold not only obliges with a funny, warm-hearted romance but an unexpected reunion that gives us all a wonderful closure.
Sawyer has been a peripheral character , one we see at Wooleyās, the bar he inherited from Gus , itās previous owner, snd the gangs favorite hangout.
In Stud, Sawyerās past , as astonishingly does Gusās in a remarkably poignant story element, comes into focus. We see exactly why heās held West at a distance for so long despite his feelings, and the turmoil inside him when West declares heās going to start dating.
That declaration jumpstarts Sawyer and his mixed up heart and mind on a strange, funny and quite wonderful path to HEA with West , a restored Victorian, and a bunch of feathered kids. Oh my.
One element Iāve adored in each book has been the great pet/animal(s) per couple. I have sometimes forgotten to mention it. Shame on me because itās a terrific part of each story and couple.
So hereās the list so farā¦.
Four Bears Construction series animals:
šµCaulky #1: Cole and Renās bees
šµNailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
šµHardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
šµScrewed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
šµStud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
šµStripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes review to come. Yes tortoises!
šµDrilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Logā¦ been waiting to see a cat tbh. Review to comeā¦
How do you not love a series that folds in such great animals along with sensitive and funny romances?
Thatās easy to answer. I do. I do love them.
Each different and great couple, each amazing path to love and HEA.
I donāt have many left. Sort of dreading saying goodbye. But not yet. A few to go.
What a wonderful, heartwarming and joy filled journey itās been so far.
Like all the others, I hope youāre on this one with me. I highly recommend this one . Stay with me till the end .
Stud: A boss, knob, or nail head…or, you know, the hot guy whoās way too young to keep asking me out with that adorably earnest smile ā¦
Itās been three years since West walked into my bar and asked me out for the first time. I was relieved he stopped asking after the first few ānoās and a way-too-good-to-be-real kiss. Heās fifteen years younger than I am; it can only lead to trouble.
Of course, now heās running through people off dating apps like itās his job and wearing these lace panties that look really unfair on someone as furry and muscular as he is, and, um…what was I talking about?
I probably shouldnāt sabotage his dates, but Iām only human. I might not be ready to admit that I want him, but Iām definitely not ready to let anyone else have him either.
Heās too perfect, too hot, and I am in way too much troubleā¦
*** Stud is a friends-to-lovers, construction-worker-in-panties, omg-so-much-swoon story that happens to be the fifth book in the Four Bears Construction Series. Every book in this series CAN be read as a stand alone, but theyāre a lot more fun together!
Once again this series goes into a different direction with Everett Aldridge and his road to HEA.
We have had Cole who wasnāt looking for love when he found Ren, his forever Honeybee. Then there was is hilarious bighearted Stoney who managed to find his true love just next door in his neighbor, Dare.
I did rush ahead to get Ollieās story in Screwed #4 but I wonāt spoil how wonderful that turned out here. But there are definitely inklings about.
Nope. Hardwood, double entrendreā intended, is all Everett. And what a story it is. Because itās not just a romance but also Evās path towards coming out of the closet heās sealed himself into for decades. Itās about letting go of his fears, finding himself as a gay man later in life.
Thatās a lot to unpack.
Especially if youāre also a father to a young daughter, Livi, and still have a ex wife ,Valerie, you maintain a good relationship with who needs to be told.
Thereās a LGBTGiA crew and work family that are comfortable with themselves and their sexuality youāve known for years thats clueless youāre gay. Now Everett needs to tell them who he really is. Because no one really knows who he is. Maybe even himself.
Thatās so much pressure and guilt on top of the enormous feelings of insecurity and fear pressing down on Ev that you can almost hear him gasping for air.
The two person POV thatās a format of this series works beautifully to give us real insight into Everettās emotional state and situations as he decides to reveal his sexuality and come out as a gay man.
Itās poignant, frustrating as he vacillates at points on deciding when is exactly the right timing, his fears and excitement on his āgay firstsā. Nuehold does such an outstanding job bringing us along with him on this journey. We are there standing on the edge with Ev time after time as he works up the courage to finally see what and who his truth self is. Bravery isnāt always huge steps but small ones.
And sometimes who need someone to support you and show you the way. That would be Watson.
Watson Bolt, the music teacher, is amazing . From his school interactions with other teachers to his song choices (young tunes and Broadway worthy showstoppers), Wats is a gem of a character. Heās such a lovely layered person, especially flirty, generous, outgoing, engaging, and vulnerable too. Love his hedgehog too.
I have to mention how much I appreciate the treatment Evās ex wife , Valerie, gets here. Sheās a well rounded personality, seen through loving eyes as a great person and good friend. Her part in their marriage and consequent divorce is handled with great sensitivity and love. So well done.
Everettās journey from closeted divorced perceived āstraight dadā to happy out gay divorced dad in a new relationship is a path strewn with small pitfalls, a few barriers , some awful dancing and one memorable finale.
I just loved it. It set me to singing.
Not baby shark, but maybe a Broadway musical tune or two.
Snap this story up along with all the others. Yes š Iām highly recommending it and the series.
Synopsis:
Iāve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world Iām a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down Iām really all about the Hardwood?
It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that Iām gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughterās music teacher. Itās really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?
After everything itās taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?
***Hardwood is a steamy, seriously so much delicious tension, single-dad, gay awakening, low angst story, which happens to be the third in the Four Bears Construction Series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears.
