I love this series so much and it just keeps getting better with each story. Holiday Heart Strings sees Hartbridge, Montana getting a new elementary school teacher in the form of newly arrived Englishman, Braithe Branson.
Braithe has a temporary position as a kindergarten teacher until the permanent one comes back from maternity leave. Just enough time for the legendary Hartbridge Christmas Cupid connection to kick in.
Walkerās series is that Christmas gift that keeps on giving, and now we get a new couple and emotionally charged romance. While Braithe is a English spot of delightful positivity and optimism, the story belongs to Deputy Colson Price, a wounded man in need of healing and help so he can find his way forward to a real family and community within the place where he calls home.
I found myself in tears more than once, at the pain and suffering that Walker realistically wrote into Colsonās fear over being gay and the abusive homophobic history that led to it. But Walker balances it with the joy of Braitheās compassion and understanding as well as love showed Colson he could be safe in his sexuality as their relationship progresses.
I love all the Hartbridge couples but this may be my favorite story. Itās so moving and deeply rooted in the feelings of the community and characters.
With each release thereās always a bit of apprehension that this is the last of Walkerās Hartbridge Christmas novels but thereās a new gay firefighter in town in need of his own HEA so, delightfully, we can look forward to another narrative gift next Christmas! Iāll be waiting! And rereading this amazingly beautiful series to celebrate!
Donāt miss out on the Hartbridge map so you know just where everything is in this fabulous town!
Englishman Braithe Branson arrives in Hartbridge, Montana, to take on a brief substitute kindergarten teacher position. His introduction to the sleepy town is being pulled over for speeding. Not an ideal start, but at least the deputy was cute.
Colson Price takes being a deputy very seriously. After all, his job is all he has. Disowned by his family ten years ago, heās vowed to stay closeted so it wonāt cost him everything all over again.
But the holidays are tough for Colson, and the new guy in town is far too tempting. With a promise of some very private no-strings encounters on the downlow, he canāt resist.
Braithe is charmed by the handsome deputy, the gorgeous town, and the great group of friends he meets. But as the countdown to leaving gets closer, the more tangled the āno stringsā becomes.
Braithe and Colson have to hope that Hartbridge will find a way for this Christmas wish to come true.
You, Again is the first in Lane Hayes heartwarming, contemporary romance series set In Elmwood, Vermont. This is another case of me running back to the beginning of a series after reading the second book, Next Season, and falling into love
with the town and characters.
Delightfully, You, Again, just reinforces all my impressions that Hayes has carefully crafted with the previous book, having left such a warmhearted and deeply happy memory of this series and town.
Itās got Vermont with all its small town charm and northern beauty, especially with its rich history and traditions. Then folds that in with hockey, at every level. From the famous NHL D-man reluctantly retiring from a game he passionately loves to return home for reasons heās not even aware. Then the local ice rink and junior hockey teams with their tag team coaching, itās all there realistically on the page. The kids pushing on ice, raw and full of energy but maybe not talent, using whatever equipment available, for the love of a game that defies age and skill and background. Hayesā writing has this element richly jumping off the pages , off the ice and into our hearts. Along with the returning recently retired hockey god, Vinnie Kempinski, 36, trying to make amends and find a future.
Nolan the man Vinnie left behind, Ronnie who is Vinnieās old friend and Nolanās brother ,and MK, Ronnieās daughter, all are amazing characters. Nolan especially as heās been the one to shoulder the burdens of a family and the bitterness of a career left behind.
Hayesā narrative has to rebuild relationships by revealing old ones and replacing them with new structures that have new truths for all involved. This is an emotional story and journey for both men. The fear on Vinnieās side for his sexuality revelation, his coming out late in life feels believable.
This was the foundation for Next Season which is still my favorite of the series but I very much loved the characters and journey here to HEA. Iām hoping that the author has quite a few more stories planned for Elmwood. Itās a fabulous place to visit.
The hometown hockey hero and his best friendās brotherā¦
Vinnie
Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. Iāve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now itās over, and Iām not sure what to do with myself.
So I’m going home to Elmwood.
But Iāll tell you what Iām not gonna doāIām not going to coach my buddyās junior hockey league. No chance. I donāt know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coachāwho happens to be my best friendās brotherāhates me. With reason.
That may be old news, yet something tells me weāre going to have to deal with the past.
And that’s almost as scary as coaching teens.
Nolan
No, I donāt hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.
Heās cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeahā¦after all these years, Iām still attracted to him. But Iām a responsible adult now. I run my familyās business, and with the help of my ex, Iāve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.
So maybe my life isn’t particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isnāt the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.
And Iām not coaching with him. No way.
Ughā¦
I canāt believe Iām doing this again.
You, Again is an MM bisexual, best friendās brother, frenemies to lovers romance featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!
Author Keira Andrews rings in the holidays with the third in her Festive Fakes series, The Christmas Veto. Another in with a fake boyfriend theme, it has connected characters from the first story in this series, The Christmas Deal, which brings a special treat and holiday continuity.
Reid Cabotās grandmother, matriarch of their wealthy familyās business, is still trying to fix Reid up with a suitable old money society girlfriend, thinking his bisexuality is just a phase that will fade away.
Reidās solution is a fake boyfriend for the holidays. His younger brotherās best friend, Connor Lisowski, to be exact.
Connorās is younger, someone who crushed hard on Reid growing up. And accepts for his own reasons.
Andrewsā storylines pulls together several themes, including first times, as well as fake boyfriends and sets it all down in well known New York City locations, made moving and fabulously beautiful by the season of Christmas. Whether itās the well known High Line or the Carousel, the scenes with Reid and Connor are richer by their location.
Connorās issues with coming out, considering he has two dads, are less clear because his problems with his biological father arenāt clearly stated here until the end. I found some of his background a little lost here.
The relationship between the two men is lovely. The author is able to build real connections between them, establishing a chemistry the reader can believe in.
The story moves forward pretty quickly, the few secrets that are held back from the beginning are revealed, and the holiday scenes are the heartwarming moments you want and expect from this author and Christmas romances. That includes a happy epilogue that leaves you feeling satisfied with the story and characters.
If youāre looking for a holiday story or three, check out the Festive Fakes series below. Absolutely charming holiday stories.
My nameās Connor Lisowski, and hereās what you need to know about me:
Iāve had a massive crush on my best friendās older brother since high school.
Everyone thinks Iām straight.
I have two dads but Iām afraid to come out.
Iāve never even been kissed.
And somehow, Iāve been roped into pretending to be Reidās boyfriend for the holidays. Whoās Reid, you ask? Only the aforementioned best friendās older brother who never looked at me twice.
Until now.
The Christmas Veto by Keira Andrews is a gay Christmas romance featuring fake boyfriends, a bisexual king in a designer suit, first times, and of course a happy ending. Connor first appears in The Christmas Deal, but this novel can be read as a standalone
I have been waiting for Gavin Selbyās story since he made his appearance with his best friend in Briarwood Terrace, the old townhouse in Manhattan where he lives with Reid Marshall,owner of the nanny agency of the series.
Gavinās quiet intensity, stately dress , and determined demeanor as well as hidden history just made even his briefest appearances objects of curiosity. The reader really wanted to know more about him. And the character Dashās obvious crush on him, another ongoing thread, from book to book.
So I was prepared for an emotional and revelatory journey for the reader and Dash into Gavinās past and the present. I expected the authorās usual excellent job of bringing Gavinās entire story into the narrative forefront here so we could understand why he is the way he is. The trauma and damage he has endured to become the man who has allowed himself to become smaller inside, fearful, and alone. Boxed in emotionally by his father and events.
Sterling has been so outstanding at this in the past, but here, whether it is the nature of the situation or the holidays, we feel distanced from the causes of Gavinās problems and past life. Even the threats, potential threats to his current life , are ephemeral, never feeling anywhere near substantial.
I think thatās because Gavinās past, his father, any interactions he might have or had with him are on a āas told toā basis. That puts this entire situation and part of the story on a different perspective, one without any real immediate impact or emotional connection.
Thatās unlike the evolving romance and relationship building up between himself and Dash. Thatās sweet and sexy and vulnerable. Itās lovely watching these two grow and Gavin dare to love, especially at Christmas.
But it throws off the balance of the story because the other half is the secrets/ongoing conflicts with Gavinās father. Which is done off page or through other sources or people. Thatās taking away the power and the build up from this aspect of the plot.
At one point, I was just getting frustrated, thinking about how little was at the center core of all that secrecy. Especially when thereās all those powerful friends at hand.
So yes, sweet, sexy, loving romantic story but the entire plot itself was not a great success. A good one but not great. The romance and holiday season aspect was a delight. But the parts that centered around Gavinās character and background didnāt really work. His past history, his family trauma, his father were all too distanced narratively from his storyline to make the impression that the story wants them to have.
Read it because the series is wonderful and you want Gavinās story. And because it sets up the next and what is possibly the last of the series, Reid Marshallās romance, One Night With The Nanny.
This Christmas, Dash Griffin finally gets his man.
The library needs a new Santa to read stories to its littlest patrons and Dash has lots of friends who would be perfect. But instead of asking any of them, he sets his sights on quiet, uptight Gavin Selby. Dash has known for some time that the cranky accountant is the one for him. When he uncovers Gavinās secret, Dash sees his chance to prove just how right they are for each other. Not only will Gavin become the libraryās new Santa, but Dash is on a mission to deliver the brightest, most romantic Christmas ever.
Gavin has done everything in his power to protect his friends and paid a dear price. But he was happy to toe the line as long as everyone else got their happily ever after. Now, the price for Dashās silence is pumpkin spice lattes and walks in Central Park. Gavin is happy to endure the holiday markets and wear a Santa costume if it means Dash will keep his secret. But can Gavin keep his most dangerous secret to himself? Or, will Dash finally discover that all Gavin wants for Christmas is him?
The Nanny with the Nice List is book 5 in the Nannies of New York series. Itās a sweet and steamy MM romance with lots of pining, a grumpy/sunshine pair, 10 year age gap and a sexual awakening. Plus, all the wonderful found family vibes that lovers of the Nannies in New York series know to expect.
*Paperback includes additional illustrations, playlists, bonus chapters, and more!
If you look forward to reading warmhearted Christmas stories, then V. L. Loceyās Laurel Holidays series is a fabulous place to start. Full of small town charm and great characters, each tale is full of the holiday spirit and special moments that this season brings to mind.
The Christmas Extra, the latest in the series, is a great example of why I love the series and this authorās work.
It starts with Stillman King. Rockmount, Pennsylvaniaās small-town sheriff whose life has settled into a quiet, small town pace. Whether heās helping round up pigs, deliver babies, or just keep the locals stay within the law, Stillman and his old cat, Ellery, are content with their lives.
Locey makes us feel like we know him, how the years have aged him, and how much the townās people count on him as one of them. Heās real and grounded within Rockmount.
The second chance at love and lovers reunited has to be two of my favorite tropes and they are combined here as the Mayor has managed to make their small town a cable show location for a popular tv soap series. Itās the holidays and the town is decorated with the beautiful trappings of the holiday season drawing in the locals and the tourists alike. Perfect for the show. Which is also bringing in a ex boyfriend of Stillmanās.
Tony Gugliotti, popular tv actor, has come to Rockmount with the series crew to film his new movie. And maybe see his ex boyfriend from college, the man he loved and left behind.
Both men, now older, both living very different lives at different coasts. But even with all the years and anger, the scenes between them and the intimacy that Locey is able to bring about through her images makes the reader understand the chemistry and feelings that the men still share.
I was absolutely invested in this romance and relationship. Watching the men reconnect, through memories and experiences was heartwarming and wonderful. Especially as the author wove the town and its inhabitants into their growing relationship as well. We got a feel of community pulling together as well as the love rebuilding.
The ending was perfect. There was a dramatic , suspenseful moment and then a lovely epilogue that tied up the storyline. What made this perfect was an element Iāve found missing in other books recently , and thatās the author has paid attention to the important animal character . At the end, Ellery, the cat, was not forgotten but followed his beloved owners to their HEA, as it should be. So happy about this.
I was left with a happy ending, feeling totally satisfied, and a great book to rec for the holidays.
And donāt forget to check out the others in this series if you havenāt found them already.
The Laurel Holidays Series:
ā The Christmas OaksāLaurel Holidays #1
ā The Christmas PunditāLaurel Holidays #2
ā The Christmas TenorāLaurel Holidays #3
ā The Christmas RescueāLaurel Holidays #4
ā The Christmas ExtraāLaurel Holidays #5
ā¦ The Easter RedemptionāA Laurel Holidays Spring Romance Novella
Stillman King likes his life in the small rural farming community of Rockmount, Pennsylvania. Itās a different pace of life than Philly, but Philadelphia was where his heart was broken, and he was happy to leave. He might be lonely, but heās settled and has even managed to win over his snooping neighbors. Overall, his days as a small-town sheriff are peaceful with only the occasional traffic accident, drunk and disorderly conduct, or a random meandering cow to deal with. That was until the day the mayor announced that Rockmount was going to be the filming location for a Christmas romance movie starring the popular soap opera star, Tony Gugliotti. The same Tony whoād left him right after college graduation and headed west to the bright lights of Los Angeles without even a goodbye.
Hearing his former loverās name shatters all the merry bucolic vibes that usually fill Rockmount, at least for Stillman. Heād not seen or spoken to Tony for over twenty years and had no wish to ever again. But, suddenly, here Tony was, looking just as good as he did way back when with his killer smile and movie star jawline. Hollywood descended on Rockmount and Stillman did his best to balance keeping the peace while maintaining a polite distance from his ex. Pity itās such a small town packed with incredibly meddlesome people. All it takes is one stake out, a night stuck in the courthouseās basement, and one kiss wound in a lighted pine tree to reignite the passion both men thought theyād left far behind.
The Christmas Extra is a standalone small town, forced proximity, gay second chance Christmas romance with all the glitter of Hollywood, two mature men who never really got over each other, a village packed with holiday cheer as well as inquisitive neighbors, a well-meaning cast and crew, and a tinselly happy-ever-after.
Con Riley regularly makes me cry at Christmas. Actually at Rileyās Christmas Collection stories. This yearās new edition to the series was a great sodden Kleenex wads worth of heartwarming moments and absolutely stunning moments of love and family.
Rileyās shared universe, between London and Cornwall, never disappoints in bringing us closer together with the characters and investing us deeply into their lives and journey.
Flatmates Sebastian Street (that heartbreaking name) and his best friend, Patrick, are heading into the holidays, a season fraught with emotional minefields. Their flat is freezing, they have one roommate less to help with the bills, and a stressful scene is upon them.
Thatās the moment we open up the story. Emotions are high, exams are coming, rent is due. And while we have met Seb and Pat before, the intimacy is new. The hopes and fears is real.
Seb especially is so raw in his prickly voice that I could feel him emerging off the page, all past pain, and anger and rage against those who have hurt him and others. And made him afraid to have hope. And Pat, so gentle and mindful and patient. Pat is as believable as Seb however opposite of him he is emotionally.
Riley has done such a beautiful job with not only the characters but their backgrounds, weaving in the various interpersonal dynamics to the storyline unfolding throughout to become a richer emotional tapestry for all involved. From Seb to Patrick to Patrickās family to Jack, a young man who has his own journey ahead, and the readers, who have been heavily invested into this story from the beginning.
This is what I think of when I look forward to my Christmas stories. It encapsulates all that good will, warmth, and love that stays with you after the book is over.
And itās the reason Iām highly recommending not just this but all of Con Rileyās Christmas Collection. Enjoy!
Prepare for another snow-dusted, super-romantic and heart-clenching holiday gay romance from Con Riley.
All Sebastian Street wants for Christmas is justice. Oh, and some privacy to kiss his flatmate.
Heat shouldn’t sizzle between best friends like it does between me and Patrick. He’s my flatmate, not my boyfriend, a gym-bro powered by peace, love, and understanding. In comparison, I’m a yappy terrier fuelled by rage and sugary baked goods.
Expect a third flatmate to understand our opposites-attract dynamic?
No.
This could be our last December together. Our first alone in this flat.
I canāt share it. Or Patrick.
Not when we only kiss at Christmas.
Perfect for fans of friends to lovers and found families, visit London and Cornwall in We Only Kiss at Christmas, or double your festive enjoyment with His Last Christmas in London, the first standalone romance in this shared-world series.
Brewtiful’s is the heartwarming, wonderful finale story in L Evelandās fantastic Culinary Creatures series. Iām so sorry to see this series end.
Bluz, the preceding novel, is a small masterpiece of storytelling that combined a old musical sounding style of Appalachian dialect , a vanishing American mountain voice, with a vivid location, mouth watering BBQ and layered memorable characters. It remains a top tier book for me.
Now Brewtiful’s, with characters, especially one, that could have been written as tragic but end up as triumphantly beautiful and with a joyful ending that brings this series to a satisfying conclusion.
Why have I fallen in love so quickly with this story? Iāll start with one of the main characters. Tripp Powers.
Tripp Powers has the emotional power to move the reader to tears but it wonāt be immediately evident why. The clues, his halting words as he assembles his thoughts and sentences to give voice to his own inner feelings. Itās those beautifully written scenes that will carry Trippās sometimes jumbled excited messages that will melt the readerās heart and that of Nicola Lightwing, a mothman he meets in Las Vegas.
You see Tripp is suffering from an injury that comes from being a ex-NHL hockey player. Heās got head/brain trauma from taking a hit. Heās in forced retirement, has memory issues, migraines, and more. Heās lost his passion and focus. But in an extraordinary way, found a new one.
Tripp is real, heartbreaking, and inspiring. And he wakes up married.
To a mothman.
Yes itās a wake up married, bi-awakening, hockey romance in a paranormal world with antennas and itās fabulous.
Tripp has a well written bi-awakening journey along with finding true love. Done with another character, Nicola Lightwing, a mothman. We met Nicola before in Bluz but he comes fully into his own here. Heās a successful agent who sacrifices his private life for his clients and now , because of an impulsive decision, has the potential to make changes for himself and Tripp.
Evelandās story weaves a gentle reminder that sometimes the simplest thing can bring the best possible outcome to a personās life. A cup of coffee, an act of kindness, a smile or even a positive saying to start the day with. Or find true love and happiness.
The author gives the characters depth of personality, intelligence, interesting uses of otherworldly sexuality, love in all its forms, and as always, a fabulous recipe at the end. Never miss out on those.
L Evelandās Culinary Creatures is four books and Iāll always regret it isnāt more. But those four books are on auto reread for me, the last two in particular. The entire series is a must read for just splendid storytelling.
Pick up the series today and prepare for some joy in your day.
Culinary Creatures with great recipes at the end of each story:
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegasā¦unless you accidentally marry a mothman.
My nameās Tripp Powers, former NHL star, notorious playboy, and aspiring coffee connoisseur. My plan? Open a chain of coffee shops to brighten everyoneās day. All of that was going according to plan until I woke up in bed with a man.
And not just any man, but Nicola Lightwing, a mothman!
Itās a mistake weāre both keen to undo as fast as possible until we realize we have a lot in common. Nicola is smart, suave, and almost as obsessed with coffee as I am. With his help, I might even be able to make my coffee shop dreams into reality.
Thereās only one problem. Until today, I was sure I was straight. Yet I canāt help but want to drink Nicola up, especially when heās promised heās good to the last drop.
Can I resist his bold advances? Or is a lifelong romance brewing?
The Bone Collector jump starts a new series about the school of young psychopaths, The Watchtower, thatās been assembled by the government using techniques and methodology on raising children who exhibit this type of behavior for the purpose of turning them into weapons. Off the record black operatives, who can operate at the highest levels of government and society.
The base of their scientific research is the Mulvaney family so itās helpful to know that history and structures that help foster the development here. Those characters also play a role in this series.
Itās a Psychopaths R Us approach in some respects. Not so for the government.
I thought The Bone Collector had some strong elements but wasnāt the best book the author has written. Especially as a intro into a new series.
Best aspects of the book:
Gift Ayutthaya. One of the main characters, Gift shows up as a touch starved young man who hides his real personality behind an innocent facade. All along, heās mentally assessing the situation and trying to figure out how to fit in, adjusting to a environment where his roommates are killers who have adopted him as an adorable pet and heās a klutzy handler to be. This dynamic between Gift , Payton , and all other psychopaths in his personal āpodā is the most interesting and fascinating part of the story.
Gift and Paytonās non-sexual comfort, constant touch connection, along with the occasional puppy pile aspect of the other young killers when it comes to Gift is something I needed more of. The growth Gift exhibits from the start of the story is seen and communicated through his interactions here with the group.
The group, Payton , Dove, Remi, Mos, and the rest? Totally invested in. I wanted more of their assignment and murder mystery they were investigating. This segment was fascinating but the author let the whole thing fade away with just a few wrap up sentences. Shame.
Weaknesses of the story:
Park Chen. He starts and ends as a one dimensional character. We get little in depth background and, his emotional response to things and Gift are all less likely for the hardcore operator the author is trying to convey. Frankly, the only way we knew he was a scary assassin was that the author said so. Nothing in the story or character descriptions really made him look like a monster, the psychological killer he was supposed to be. Never bought it.
All James other books made those assassins feel gut wrenchingly raw, or deadly or whatever. But Park Chen? Nope.
And the manner in which Gift got through to him and into a sexual relationship after a ton of denial? Well , that was a sneeze and a breeze. Blink and itās bye bye virgin and onto the D/s and pain kink! So much sex that the rest of the plot is forgotten.
Than the elements about Gift, his background, some of which was easily guessed at, others were a bit extreme. But it left the main focus, The Watch, and everything going on there behind, which felt like a huge mistake, narratively speaking. thatās where I wanted to be. And where my questions were.
That scenario wound up too fast. Left too many unanswered plots holes. Which I suppose might be revealed in the next novel.
Overall, I feel The Bone Collector suffers was a over abundance of a lackluster relationship, not enough of a story with the other elements that are forming the foundation of the series, weak villains, and uncertain focus. Half the couple I liked, the other didnāt feel realistic.
Iām looking forward to Peytonās story because heās one of the more dynamic characters here. And Gift and his relationship is more interesting than the romance of the main couple.
Interesting only as an introduction to the series.
Park Chen has spent most of his life as a killerāa deadly, deep cover operative known as the Bone Collector. Now, heās been benched. Reassigned as an instructor at Project Watchtower, heās tasked with training a school of psychopathic assassins while trying to keep a promise to his friends.
Gift Ayutthaya isnāt treated like a gift at all. If anything, his parents treat him as a burden, though a spoiled one. After an attempt on his life, they pass that burden onto someone else. Park. The man Giftās been fantasizing about for years. A man who sees him as an adorable but incompetent distraction.
Itās no secret that Gift doesnāt belong at the Watch, but Parkās made a vow to keep him safe. Gift has made a vow, too. Heās going to use every weapon in his arsenal to find a way to seduce Park and make him love him, once and for all. Or die trying.
Loving Gift was never the issueāParkās already there. But assignments at the Watch arenāt optional. To stay, Gift has to prove himself, something Park just canāt allow. Can Gift get Park to see that, when it comes to murder, Gift is aptly named? Or will he be relegated to the sidelines in both school and in love?
The Bone Collector is an action packed, smoking hot, age gap romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. It features a rule-following assassin turned reluctant teacher of psychopaths and an adorable, off-limits, fumbling student who just canāt seem to stay away from each other. Prepare yourself for gratuitous violence, very dark humor, more blood than an ā80s horror movie, and enough heat to fog up a window factory. This is book one in the The Watch series. Each book follows a different couple.
E J Russellās latest release is a book that should have worked for me. It doesnāt. Spoilers ahead. Itās all about a certain element, folks. Consent.
I love both of the series it mashes up, the Mythmatched and Purgatory Playhouse series, two hugely popular and entertaining universes. The theme of redemption and starting over is a great trope, full of emotionally charged elements for all characters.
But it depends on how itās handled by the author and the framework for the redemption process. Thatās part of why I feel that this book should come with a trigger warning.
At Odds with the Gods storyline deals with a previous tale where the gods from Mount Olympus are cast down and have to pay for their many crimes. One main trait of all the Gods is their inability to understand consent.
Note: In talking about my issues with the book Iām writing about some spoilers. If you donāt want to know, stop reading.
If youāre familiar with Greek mythology, and the Greek pantheon in particular, then you know how horrific their stories were. Abductions, forced marriages, rape, death, suicides, murder. Many coming out of arrogance or spontaneous decision making on the Gods end. Even Eros didnāt give people consent as is mentioned in the narrative. Just shot the arrows.
Ganymede, the son of the King of Troy, is a well known legend and figure in Greek mythology. A beautiful man who was abducted and sexually assaulted by Zeus who then carried Ganymede off to be his cup bearer/unwilling lover in Mount Olympus. For thousands of years.
Here, Russellās given Ganymede a new life as a young āhumanā baker, released from Mt Olympus when the Fates handed down their verdict. Russellās portrayal of Ganymede is that of a young man who is struggling with his years of captivity as a victim of sexual abuse/assault. But Russellās treatment of this aspect of the character is flawed, imo, for many reasons. Ganymede is a tragic figure. Only strange tidbits of his time with the Gods is shared, certainly not the traumatic events or experiences he must have endured or seen during his time there. Thereās no page time to discuss the topic, and the tone of the taleās too light.
Russellās story has elements of real darkness that arenāt being throughly explored or examined for what they are. The biggest issue being that of control/consent/non-consensual actions.
Ganymede has opened a bakery he loves. Heās happy. Heās got a crush on a werewolf (the other main character, and a great one). Heās ignorant about the supernatural world around him. Ok, for me that absolutely an odd thing about this world. Heās from Olympus but they donāt know about Supes? Anyway, who starts meddling in truly awful ways with his new life, his bakery, and trying to abduct him? A terrifying prospect, over and over. The Olympic Gods. Still not on board with the concept of consent, and ruining his life is ok if they win a game. On a get back to Mount Olympus app with quests. Red flags dropped for triggering elements.
We need more of what we arenāt getting, the sweet romance story between a werewolf trying to recover from his own personal redemption arc (best part of the story). Thereās sweet Gany , trying to get the courage to kiss Finn after his abusive history, true. However , for 80 percent of the narrative , the rest is the Gods trying to abduct Gany with no remorse to the ramifications on his life. Thatās 80 percent. But what is more frustrating is that Gany has an outlet to stop his harassment and doesnāt use it.
A horrible message to send in a narrative. Someone who has been through a horrible experience, is undergoing it again, has a method to make it stop, and doesnāt use it.
All Gany has to do is call the Fates. Let them know the Gods have been at his house, have harassed him, broken the rules, and let them handle it. Instead, itās a sort of juvenile āIām gonna tell them if you donāt stop, no, really this time, gonna tell.ā Which in tone and manner of that response negates the atmosphere, crime, the levels of seriousness, and basically everything else that Russell has established about the situation.
The author could have had her story continue on as planned, which had many people from the series showing up, and a moment from another series being viewed from a different perspective. Which was all very neat and entertaining.
But that whole situation about the Gods and Gany and consent? I just feel it went narratively sideways. Either use a totally different character, one not as tragic, although, yes, thatās tough given the Greek pantheon. Or maybe leave a game element out of it. Or Zeus. Because no one ever believes in Zeus and consent. It just doesnāt work.
The romance was sidelined and I thought they were terrific, along with the dogs. Too many ingredients did ruin the storytelling here. Too bad.
Trigger warnings for those who have issues with consent, non-consent, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and abduction.
Honestly, no recommendation. Thatās the biggest surprise for me.
The road to redemption is long, rough, and steep. Bring snacks.
Finn Lassiter is a werewolf without a pack. Or a roof over his head. Or more than five bucks to his name. Heās exhausted every lifeline except the one that makes him want to howl: begging his cousin, the supreme alpha, for charity. After the way Finn behaved for their entire lives, itās entirely possible heāll be turned down flat or banished forever when he makes that call tomorrow. So today heās blowing his last dollar at Nectar & Ambrosiaāhe needs one more smile from the bakeryās beautiful owner to weather the bleak years ahead.
Ganymede, former cup bearer to the Greek gods, is reveling in his new life as a restaurateur in Portland, Oregon. Heās finally free of the Olympians and their extremely tedious menu options. Finn, the cute customer whoās haunted the corner table in his bakery since opening day, is just icing on the cake.
When the gods stage an encore, however, attempting to weasel out of their Fates-mandated atonement labors, Ganyās new livelihood isnāt the only thing at stakeāFinnās safety and freedom are at risk, too. Of course Gany invites Finn to stay with him until the danger passes! It would be irresponsible not to. Right?
Although with all the baggage heās carrying from his past, that idea just might be only half-bakedā¦
At Odds with the Gods is a friends-to-lovers Mythmatched/Purgatory Playhouse crossover featuring secrets on all sides, empowered former victims, misbehaving deities, three large, rambunctious pups, and cake. Lots and lots of cake.
The Ghostly series continues with Ghostly Target, a book about a killer targeting police officers. This plot switches the focus from the normal plots where the bodies have been found to the detective team of Angus and Franks, and a suspenseful investigation.
One officer down, thatās the first body but the killer is shooting at officers, randomly it seems picking targets. So immediately Laya has a strong narrative full of fear, anger, and frustration from all the characters involved. This is not just Angus and Franks, the officers fearing for their own lives but dealing with the death of one of their own, but Lance, and the co workers, and all the ghosts who make up their found families .
It is also the ghost of the first officer who was shot, and dealing with the aftermath of his death. This element is always such a great aspect of this series and is a strong one here. The author is very good as portraying a personās confusion and frustration at being dead and denied access to the life and people they love.
All the ghosts are so memorable and their roles in the investigation and events just make them more interesting.
Lance and Angusās relationship is gotten more committed, obviously as they are talking about moving forward with one house. But so much of the story, naturally, has to be about this killer and their investigation, that I felt their relationship development was lost.
I need more of Frank actually. Frankās a fascinating character and deserving of his new life, maybe a dog or something. His personality is crying out for another storyline.
Thereās no indication if thereās to be a new book or if the author considers this a finale. It doesnāt read like one to me.
I enjoy the series and this new novel. Wonderful investigative plot and use of the ghosts!
When someone starts killing police officers in the city, Detective Angus Young prioritizes finding out who’s attacking those he works with. He’s determined to take down the killer before any more officers are targeted.
Having the skill to speak to the ghosts of the dead is usually helpful to a medical examiner, but not when the ghosts can’t identify who killed them. Keeping Angus safe is Lance’s first priority as he does everything he can to try and help fit the clues together and bring peace to those who have died.
Working together, Angus and Lance put everything else on hold as they follow the leads to find a cop killer. With the help of friends both living and dead, the puzzle slowly starts to fit together, but once they have all the pieces, can they find the killer before another officer is shot?
