It’s Amy Aislin’s m/m hockey romances that normally I gravitate towards but that’s primarily out of habit. This author writes a great catalog of contemporary romances that shouldn’t be missed.
That includes this sweet HFN love story As Big As The Sky.
It’s one of those that combines several tropes into a engaging, totally satisfying heartwarming romance. It’s got enemies to lovers, a bit of hurt/comfort. Even quirky animals courtesy of a animal rehab/rescue center. Plus characters we absolutely connect with and wish we could get more of.
The relationship between Sam and Bo is so interesting because the potential for not just a great romance but an amazing one runs through this tale. There is just so many neat elements here. It cries out for a more substantial telling, fleshing out the families relationships, as well as theirs.
Indeed, Aislin has built such a marvelous universe here that I feel so much of what the author incorporates isn’t given its due.
But what we do see as far as the dynamics between Sam and Bo? Incredible and heartwarming.
I love this couple and would love to see the author revisit them and this world again.
I’m definitely recommending this sweet romance and couple.
Sam McAuley isn’t having a great start to the summer. Served with papers? Great. He’s being sued. Perfect, pristine yard overrun with chickens? What the—? Clearly, the new guy running the animal rehabilitation centre next door has no idea what he’s doing.
It’s one town to the next, one school to the next, one job to the next for Bo Novak. Everything is temporary. Even his current job—running his sister’s animal rehab centre while she’s away on a four-month leave—is temporary. And he does know what he’s doing, thank you very much. Sure, things don’t always run smoothly, but the stick-in-the-mud next door could be a little nicer about it.
One overheard conversation, an olive branch, and a baseball game might show these guys that being at odds isn’t really what they want, and that what they want might just be each other.
[As Big as the Sky was first published in August 2017. This new edition has a brand new cover but no content changes.
Lane Hayes is at her best when it comes to characters deeply anguished by choices they’ve made or failed to make in their lives. People who are now failing under the pressure, stress, and pain the situation they now find themselves in.
Hayes has that ability to deliver that pain, that shame and doubt directly into the readers hearts, connecting us to the characters and their life choices.
Here in book 3, the angst has never been so apparent, the pain of repression and it’s repercussions so widespread.
We start off with Asher Fitzgibbons,genius, works at NASA, immediate-goal to work at the JPL. He’s decided to, one time only, to hook up with a app for a one night stand.
Asher, diminutive blonde genius, has made a number of impactful appearances in the prior stories but here the tiny perfectionist is given his due.
Oh, what a complicated man he turns out to be, with a heartbreak of a past as a foundation.
The man on the other side of the app? That would be Blake Johnson, coach of girls LaCrosse at a posh private school , and very closeted bisexual.
At first you believe that all the anguish, the repression, and the pain is coming from Blake as he deals with years of self denial and the situations at school. This is heartbreaking stuff here.
But slowly it becomes apparent that Asher too is suffering from some deep emotional issues, and past trauma.
How both men work through all the issues and barriers to arrive at a satisfying relationship is a richly rewarding journey and wonderful read.
I adore these uniquely nerdy geniuses and the men they come to love. Apparently the series isn’t over yet. Another holiday novel and book four is coming.
Great characters, well written storylines, including some deep elements all leading up to heartwarming romances.
Swipe left, swipe left, swipe left. Sure, the idea of a quick, no-strings intimate rendezvous via hookup app sounds oddly thrilling, but it’s simply not me. Or maybe it is me, because it happened…and I liked it. Until I realized he looked familiar for a reason. A bad reason. Now I’ve made a faux pas with the sexiest man on planet Earth, and my internal karma system requires me to fix it. Help!
Blake-
I may seem like I have it together, but the truth is, I’m a hot mess. I’m so deep in the closet that I can’t remember my real name some days. That’s okay. The benefit of one-night stands is anonymity. Until Asher. Not a total surprise. I’ve always had a thing for geeks, but I’ve never met anyone like him. He’s a pint-sized dynamo on a quest for perfection who can help me come out…if I follow his script.
Hmm. I’m in.
The Jock Script is an MM bisexual, geek/jock romance starring a bowtie wearing nerd, a sexy lacrosse coach, and a shenanigan inducing script!
Lane Hayes has another great series in The Script Club, winning me over immediately with the first novel which introduces us to the central characters and universe.
Following the Rules also sets out the formal by which all the rest of the romances and stories will follow.
There is a main group of genius’ friends in their last semester of grad school. They have similar intellects and are pursuing careers in Aerospace engineering generally, but more complicated. I’ll let each character describe it. Take my word for it… space, NASA, ….
All are huge nerds in different ways, which makes each a vastly unique personality.
First up is Christopher “Topher” Thornton, aerospace engineer studying Astrodynamics… and I’ll leave the rest to him. He’s in need of money as a grant and summer job fell through. His friend, George (and roommate) suggests that his brother Simon needs help to make it through his college courses while he waits to see if he’ll return to the NFL.
That brings up all sorts of issues for Topher as “jocks” both attract him and end up being his Kryptonite.
Simon Murphy, ex NFL player, George’s brother, was cut by his NFL team after a series of injuries, including a number of concussions. Now that he’s finished rehab, he’s enrolled in college to finish his degree while waiting to see if his agent can get him back in a NFL team.
But he’s having trouble with his courses, especially the math snd science so it’s George or more specifically Topher to the rescue.
Except straight Simon starts to realize he’s extremely attracted to Topher in every way.
This is a terrific series that deals a lot with a person examining their perceptions about their own sexuality and then realizing that perhaps they’ve either been repressing or denying their true selves until now.
That meeting, here it’s Topher, the person that makes them able to want to “come out” for themselves and live their truth is everything.
Hayes’ characters are always so well done. They feel so unique but never stray into the cartoonish. Like Topher and Simon, they are opposite personalities but layered enough to feel vulnerable and open to both hope and disappointment.
Theirs is a funny, sweet, and a bit dramatic (of course) romance. It’s lovely and a great way to launch this series.
My friend’s brother needs an academic assistant and I need a job. Problem…jocks are my weakness. Seriously. I lose my ability to speak coherently around muscle-bound hotties. Oh yeah, I lose my inhibitions too—not a good look for a guy with a genius IQ. So what am I going to do about Simon?
Simon-
Finishing college isn’t high on my list of priorities, but my future in professional football is looking bleak. I need a plan B or C, and I could use some help navigating life as an undergrad. Topher is perfect. He’s also a little strange…but in a good way. And I like the way I feel when I’m around him—as though anything is possible. Maybe if we follow our hearts, we’ll find what we’re looking for. But that means changing the rules…
Following the Rules is a MM, bisexual awakening romance starring a lovable nerd, a cool jock, and some extracurricular fun.
As much as I adored the beginning book in this series? Got Me Wishing just made the series and universe even better.
It brought in heavier themes such as addiction, animal abuse, forgiveness, redemption. It even weaves in kink shaming and how the judgements you make impact others. All done very sensitively and beautifully by the way. All while allowing the romance to remain center stage.
Yes, this story unpacks a lot besides a very romantic and emotionally rewarding love affair turned HEA.
Fulton Meyer, 34 yo vet, BFF to Noah Walters (Got Me Hoping #1), immediately turned into a favorite character of mine out of all the vets and peripheral people in and around the Vet Shop Boys Animal Clinic.
Prone to snarky lines, a funky fashion sense, and a seemingly endless supply of great t-shirts from Etsy that proclaim things like “I Kissed A Pug And I Liked It ~Kitty Purry”😂🙌… well there was just something about Fulton!
He needed his HEA! Plus there was some mystery going on as to why no man had ever stuck around.
Now in Got Me Wishing we get Fulton’s story. Casey Cox delivers the painful personal history that has made him who he is today, including the fact he’s so lonely. Except for all his cats of course. All eight of them.
Into Fulton’s crazy life comes Bishop Turner in one adorable “meet cute” scene turned lusty!
From poignant to adorable to funny to sexy, this introduces shouts destiny!
Trust me, you’ll be into this couple as quickly as they are … uh hem… into each other.
But the relationship? And actually getting to know one another? Each other’s layers? That take time .
This is a story of trust earned, pasts revealed, and love that comes slowly to those that need and deserve it.
I just love everything about this story. Beautiful elements, new characters, so many thoughtful moments between Fulton and Bishop as they explore their romance and future, as well as open up about their past.
If this is any indication where the rest of the series and romances are headed, I can’t wait.
Next up is poor befuddled, broken hearted Gus.
I highly recommend every story and in the order written. Take the journey with all the Vet Shop Boys. It’s one I myself am eagerly anticipating.
A half-birthday + a second chance = one true love? As. If.
Who needs a man when I’ve got cuddly kittens?
No one’s ever wanted me once they discover my secret. I guess that’s why I’ve thrown myself into my work as a veterinarian, as well as become the proud paw-rent to my eight cat rescues. I’ve even managed to convince myself I’m purr-fectly happy being single.
So when Bishop, a handsome stranger, strikes up a conversation, I don’t expect it to lead to anything else. There’s no way a guy wanting to start over is interested in love. So why has Bishop got me wishing for something more?
You know those books about the professional security agencies with highly trained agents with specialized skills ? Ones who are extremely cool under stress and focused on the job and clients? Even if a romance seems pending, they don’t loose their professional patina or come off as comical.The novels with plots dealing with drug cartels so criminally vile that the scenes and storylines come across as realistically gritty? Those books?
Yeah, this isn’t those.
Hijacked is more a “eye roll” emoji, suspend your belief sort of tale. The type where you can’t believe anyone actually does the jobs they’re supposedly doing but , hey, the novel is fun so let’s just roll with it shall we?
If you can do that, you enjoy this story, otherwise no.
If you can’t put aside your need for any sort of reality check, then this is just one big “ yeah, no”.
The characters, from dialogues that range from “local yokel “ cringe worthy (really… they sound right out of the Beverly Hillbillies) to South Park cartel style criminals, nothing here says take me seriously.
Scene after scene of situations where nothing feels believable , written by the author, so purposely really bad judgment on everyone’s part, just keeps occurring.
Like , the drug cartels guards who most likely are crazy homophobic are coming down the hall so let’s have sex now! SMH!
They, of course, just assume there’s no cameras or listening devices so it must be ok. Because, duh… professional.
So yeah… entertaining on a fun, cartoony way. Quick read . No depth of character and the plot is one that continues into book 2.
Yep, it’s a series.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you have several books to look forward to.
Synopsis:
Renowned cardiologist Carter Rogers is used to having things under control. His life, his prestigious reputation, his career, his future.
Things he can’t control this time around:
• His meddling grandfather
• His annoying gamer cousin
• Buggy South American jungles
• Being the meat in a feuding cartel sandwich
• Getting kidnapped by a monologuing drug lord
•Falling for the very hot, very mouthy ex-soldier from his past
In short, Carter’s peaceful, well-planned life has been… hijacked
Fairy and Impartial picks up right after the events of book 3, His Fairy Share.
So first thing right off? Read all previous stories if you haven’t done so already. In the exact order they are written so all the characters relationships, growth, and overall developing series themes make sense.
Trust me, there are some wonderfully complicated doings happening here and I suspect only Auric, that manipulative bastard, has a clue about most of them.
This is a densely packed series, epic themes of world salvation, good versus evil, line up closely along with those of forever love and found family.
Honestly, I treasure this series and love this new story. It adds onto the growing mysteries of conspiracy against Auric and his politics and family as well as introduces us to incredible new main characters that will have important roles to play , not only here but in the upcoming stories. This is one wicked, well told epic!
Twig and Quinn’s relationship continue’s to deepen and thrive here as they face new battles and explore new dimensions to their powers and roles. Really, each is so amazing because they have such depth of character and yet still are showing such capacity for growth.
Actually that applies to all the beings here who are undergoing so many spurts of development simply because of the demanding times and villainous challenges they are facing. Zak , Quinn’s younger brother, has to learn accept certain things about his pursuit of love without asking if it’s wanted, Bill , all patchwork soul, needs to adjust to heartbreak for the first time and find his way forward, and well, there are others….
I don’t know how many books Maslow has planned for this series, personally I’d be thrilled if they just kept coming because this universe is so rich and diverse that it easily could host series after series even based on the different realms.
But this expanding found family or should I say clan? It has found its way into my heart. Now I want Twig to add a couple more… and I need to know more. I have questions, need answers! And always want more of each and every one of these fabulous beings.
You will too. But you absolutely need to read these stories in the order they are written to appreciate the characters, understand the relationships, the growth and , frankly, the series arc.
It’s fantastic and I’m highly recommending this and all of them.
All Twig Starfig wants is to settle into mated life with his wizard and be a good leader to his clan. No drama. No heartache. A happily-ever-after fit for a dragon. Or half-dragon, at any rate.
Instead, Twig and Quinn get roped into a new case involving missing orc stones. Yes, those really are a thing. Twig’s dad is on the PR warpath . . . again. Quinn’s little brother can’t seem to stop pining over their housemate. Someone—or something—seems to be following them. And getting quality time alone with his wizard is more difficult than keeping one’s virginity at an incubus party.
To make matters worse, Twig’s old enemies start dropping like fairyflies, and they find themselves smack in the middle of an inconvenient murder investigation with a certain red fury as the main suspect. With everyone in Lighthelm convinced of Bill’s guilt—and by association Twig’s—Starfig Investigations is on the case.
Is there no one in the Elder Realm who’s fairy and impartial?
Major characters not in any order:
Greyclover , elf and Auric’s lover and guard
Auric Starfig, Twig’s fairy father and powerful leader of well everyone
Agent Hatheral “Leo” Leotoris, elf and investigator at EBI
Quinn Broomsparkles, wizard, former High Rei, mate to Twig
Twig Starfig , half fairy half dragon now City Council Member and head of his own expanding clan
Zak Broomsparkles, younger brother to Quinn, also a wizard
A very sweet, sexy contemporary romance that I throughly enjoyed. It’s just the lovely HEA tale that Louisa Masters writes so well that it feels easy and the story flows so smoothly from start to finish.
There are peripheral characters that form a cohesive group of friends garnered from other stories in this series. That’s a great element as we love getting to interact with all of them again, depending where u are in reading the Met His Match stories.
The main characters of Simon Wood, retired footballer ( that soccer for us in the US) and Lucian Morel are very well crafted, each fascinating on their own and beautiful when drawn together as a couple. Especially when facing obstacles and life challenges.
There’s a wonderful center theme of a charity to help underprivileged children obtain their goals which I appreciated and thought was well executed.
All in all, a great sweet romance in a contemporary series you might want to put on your TBR list!
Met His Match Stories:
Charming Him
Offside Rules
A Christmas Chance
Between the Covers
Synopsis:Taking on his next challenge. His plan for a charity to provide funding for underprivileged children to pursue football as a career has passed its first hurdle: he has backers and an executive consultant. Now it’s time to get the ball rolling.
Lucien Morel, heir to the multibillion-euro Morel Corporation, is shocked—and thrilled—to learn his father has volunteered him as consultant to a fledgling football charity. Better yet, the brains behind it all is heartthrob Simon Wood, his teenage idol and crush.
Although Simon and Lucien get off on the wrong foot, it’s not long before they’re getting along like a house on fire—sparks included.
But with the charity under public scrutiny, can their romance thrive?
Previously published as The Athlete and the Aristocrat
I just love this story! It just ticks so many of the “make me gush out loud” boxes when I think of stories that just hit me right in the heart.
Starting with the fact that, yeah, it’s N.R.Walker, who’s able to do that book after book.
Then it’s that dead letter theme. Beautifully written, emotionally fraught messages from the past that emerge, lightly dust laden, to prompt an incredible journey , one that also turns into one of self discovery and often love. Whether it ends in a bittersweet , heartbreaking revelation or one of heart-stopping joy, those letters from the past represent a haunting mystery that grabs both at your mind and heart.
I can name movies, tv series, novels,…and this theme never becomes tired or shallow. Because the potential for pain and for hope is too huge here no matter the media. Our minds are already reaching out for the ending, we want to know what happens….
In Walker’s hands, we’re in for an emotional, heartwarming journey. Our introduction to the “dead letter office “ is through the amazing, delightful, effervescent character, Malachi Keogh as he’s being ushered onto its premises and his first day on the job by his father.
I’ll not go into the details as I’ll leave that to Malachi and the story to relate. It’s a gem by the way.
There, Malachi meets his boss, Julian Pollard, all sexy and well, beige. Then a cast of characters to charm your socks off, co workers you will become so intimately familiar with as to feel they are part of your regular lives. Much as they become a deep part of Malachi’s.
Julian’s , eyes gleaming with quiet humor and enjoyment, is an absolute jewel of a man and character. Such a memorable Walker personality in a ocean of them! He’s so perfect for Malachi!
I love that their romance proceeds with communication, humor to go with outstanding chemistry and off the charts dynamics! Love this couple.
The letters at the heart of the mystery and story title grabs your heart and rattles poignantly to get your attention . You can easily imagine the era they were written in and the couple involved.
And like Malachi, you fear for the outcome and the revelation as you get closer to finding the person who wrote them.
No spoilers here. But this romance is all about finding your place and true love as Malachi does.
It’s a story you will want to put under comfort reads. And recommend to others.
That’s exactly what I’m doing now. Beautifully written, memorable characters, incredible story. Pick it up and read it now.
Just a small picky note: one thing that is sure to get me is the disappearing animal character in a story, it sort of happens here. It surprised me because Walker is huge with her animals in books. So when Buster is a fun, very much alive animal character I was disappointed not to see that Malachi hadn’t in some way appropriated him for themselves because clearly he was theirs and not the neighbors.
I imagine him still waiting by that window door for it to be opened and I’m so sad.
I love BA Tortuga’s cowboy and kids stories. The warmth, the amazing feel of love and family comes flowing through every scene and situation the characters encounter.
Whether it’s one of awkwardness, anger, fear, humiliation ( families, remember), hilarity, pain, and love, the overwhelming atmosphere is that of people who deeply respect and love each other. No matter what the exact nature of their biological ties might be. It’s family at its finest.
When bull rider Seth Rodgers adopts the family of his best friend, Pistol McMann when he died of cancer, his life was forever changed. He became Uncle Seth , in fact, dad, to five kids, overnight. It’s a life he’s found he was made for and he loves more than life.
Seth. And everyone of those children are intricately crafted to feel as alive and realistic as they come. Seth, tiny, wiry, energetic, determined, is every inch the ex bull rider, now organized family man with ranches to run. You can see him, weary , napping in front of the tv so clearly.
And every kid, yep, you will know them too. Each with their fears, strengths, funny moments, and ability to see through the grownup fabrications that occasionally get thrown out there. Love each and every one.
Law McMann , ex Army, disabled vet trying to see where he’s got a future, is a character easy to connect with. As he’s trying to reconnect with civilian life, he’s also trying to find himself a spot back into a family he’s never really known.
This is an emotional story of loss, recovery, reconnection, family, and love.
And on every level, at every stage, the author brings those challenges and themes together with our characters in a heartwarming story that will leave you smiling and happy.
Yes, I throughly enjoyed this! And am recommending it.
Synopsis: When rodeo cowboy Seth’s best friend dies unexpectedly from cancer, he finds himself taking on a ranch and a bunch of his friend’s younger siblings, because they have nowhere else to turn. Seth loves those kids like they’re his own, and he settles in well to his new life, which is why he’s pretty wary when his buddy’s older brother finally makes it home from a long stint in the military.
Law knows he might get a chilly reception at his brother Pistol’s old ranch, even if the kids living there are his half-siblings. He didn’t make it to his brother’s funeral, after all, but to his credit, he was blown up trying to come home to do just that. He’s fighting injuries and insecurity, but when Seth welcomes him to the family ranch, Law knows he’s pretty much in love. Even if he thinks Seth was his brother’s lover. Can these two find a way to let their emotions out before tragedy strikes their family again?
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. Noah’s 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 wasn’t done with Noah yet.
He’s 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 it’s Andrew Turner, the 800 year old vampire, with a fondness for cake and snark who’s the being that’s the one at Noah’s side? Both a touch of perfection and source of poignancy.
For as irritation slides into lust and then something more, what’s continually highlighted is Noah’s humanity and short lifespan against Andrew’s 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 doesn’t so much end on a solid note so much as it gets ready to flow into the next book.
This is a ending you’re 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, it’s Alistair. That’s reason enough.
Honestly Alistair became alive to me as did all the Hellhounds. I physically hurt over the fact they don’t exist. We really need Hellhounds in our lives. Especially Alistair.
At any rate. Noah’s journey which starts here is a compelling and emotional story. So is his romance with Andrew, full of snarky love, pain and surprise.
I’m highly recommending One Bite with A Vampire and the entire Hidden Species series.
They are must reading for me.
🔶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
🔶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.
It’s not easy being the only human at the Community of Species Government—and especially not when you’re 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. It’s definitely time to reassess.
My rescuers at CSG have been awesome… 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 he’s 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, I’m ready—after all, I’ve got an eight-hundred-year-old vampire at my back. What could possibly go wrong?
