Category: M/M Contemporary Fiction

Review: The Christmas Leap by Keira Andrews

Rating: 4.5🌈

My holiday reading continues with the heartwarming romance by Keira Andrews, The Christmas Leap.

Containing a number of favorite themes, best friends to lovers, fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, this sweet romance is low angst and high on good feelings.

Long time friends ,Will and Michael , reunite after a two year separation caused by Michael’s relationship and his determination to lose his unrequited love for Will. A breakup, a breakdown (a car), and a business holiday weekend ensues to reinstate their tight bond and turn it into something else, a HEA.

Andrews gives us two remarkably engaging characters, surrounds them with a supportive cast of charming personalities (especially Will’s boss and her family), two fantastic locations, and all the right elements to make real Will’s bisexual awakening as well as Michael’s bravery in finally confessing his love.

I loved ending my night on the happy feelings this story left me with. For those looking for a holiday story, I’m definitely recommending A Christmas Leap.

Happy Reading.

Festive Fakes series- 2 books to date

â—¦ The Christmas Deal #1

â—¦ The Christmas Leap #2

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showThe Christmas Leap by Keira Andrews

Fake romance shouldn’t feel this real…

Will: I’ve never been with a man.

Sure, I’ve thought about it. Wondered. Daydreamed. Imagined. But I wasn’t ready to take the leap.

I have a reputation as a “ladies’ man.” No one has any idea how curious I am about men—not even my openly bi best friend. Make that former best friend. Michael ghosted me, and I have no idea why.

Michael: The man I love is straight.

It hurt like hell when I had to distance myself from Will. I’ve tried desperately to grow up and get over him, but my carefully constructed life just fell apart—and Will rushes to my rescue.

Now we’re pretending to be a couple to impress his boss at a holiday retreat. We’re holding hands and hugging.

We’re sharing a bed.

And Will just kissed me.

Is my best friend falling in love with me after all?

The Christmas Leap by Keira Andrews is a Christmas romance featuring friends to lovers, bi awakening, first times, and of course a happy ending. This standalone novel takes place in the same universe as The Christmas Deal.

Review: Checking It Twice (A Snowed Inn story) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 4🌈

Checking It Twice is a heartwarming holiday story about two long time friends getting their second chance at love in their fifties.

One of the wonderful Snowed Inn collection featuring multiple authors, much like the rest, it includes The Retreat Inn, a Colorado mountain resort also nicknamed The Rainbow Inn, a avalanche that cuts off the Inn and it’s inhabitants for a prolonged stay, and all the couples and events from all the stories.

Sutter Thompson, his longtime friend and coworker at Red Pine U, Watley, are driving a group of young boys for a regional hockey medal presentation being held at the Inn. Among the boys up for hockey honors is their sons. Sutter’s boy Zachary with his ex wife , and Watley ‘s son, Adam with his ex husband. The boys are best friends as well.

Locey’s men have a complicated past history. A deeply closeted Sutter decided to come out after his child was born. But he’s never revealed his last hidden truth. He’s always loved Watley.

Checking It Twice gives the reader a delightful depiction of a number of types of heartfelt relationships. Those of realistic loving father/son dynamics, especially as seen between both sets of parents and sons. You get the funny, too real, close knit relationship that happens with team members and their coaches (hurting stomachs, road trips, bunk bed assignments). Then there’s the one the men themselves have waited close to thirty years for. Their own romance.

It’s a halting , stumbling path full of slow revelations, first kisses, and , passion at last fulfilled. The men with their aches, trick knees, aged playlist, and glimpses of grey , are charming and engaging. It was a real joy to read their romance.

This collection is turning out to be a great way to dive into my holiday books, and I’m definitely recommending Checking It Twice as a heartwarming HEA!

Snowed Inn story Collection:

All the books can be read as standalones and in any order and all are available to buy or pre-order

• RJ Scott – Stop the Wedding – https://books2read.com/StopTheWedding

• H.L Day – Five Night Stand – https://books2read.com/FiveNightStandHL

• V.L. Locey – Checking it Twice – https://books2read.com/CheckingItTwiceVL

• LC Chase – Breakfast Included – https://books2read.com/BreakfastIncludedLCC

• Xenia Melzer – The Real Kaimana – https://books2read.com/RealKaimanaXM

• Meredith Russell – Stuck With You- https://books2read.com/StuckWithYouMR

• Eli Easton – A Changeling Christmas – https://books2read.com/ChangelingChristmasE

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Stop The Wedding (A Snowed Inn Story) by R.J. Scott

Rating: 4.5🌈

R.J.Scott’s Stop The Wedding includes many elements that makes this romance novella in the Snowed Inn collection a real success. It’s a holiday love story to embrace.

The main characters, artist Declan and cop Patrick, have a long history together. A deep friendship that grew into love just as both boys were figuring out sexuality, along with difficulties with their families. A devastating kiss, a breakup, and breakdown in communication follows.

All that painful, emotionally charged threads of their previously entwined lives that Scott writes into Stop The Wedding allows for the reader to connect and believe in this couple.

It helps that the author realistically doesn’t go for an automatic instant reconnect treatment. Instead, Declan and Patrick have to sit down, move through the built up resentment, misunderstandings, and fears that have come between them first.

That’s not only refreshing and very adult of both as communicating is key.

There’s smaller factors here that I appreciate. Lovely narrative touches.

Still the main couple is the reason to read Stop The Wedding. It’s the holidays, at least in this story. Magic is in the air and the heartwarming romance and HEA makes this a story to recommend!

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showStop the Wedding by R.J. Scott

Description:

One drunken phone call with a desperate plea for help and an admission of love, and Patrick races to stop his best friend from marrying the wrong man.

Patrick never stopped loving Declan, even if he did shove him away at graduation when they kissed. His alpha-type brothers and father, with all their firefighter history, would never accept him being bi, or understand his need to step outside of the family firm and be a cop. So, he hides how he feels, and ends up losing the only man he’s ever really loved. The only reconciliation they tried was on the night he found out Declan was engaged, and he never imagined he’d have a chance to make things right. That is, until he receives a desperate phone call from Declan asking to be rescued.

Through travel chaos and storms, Patrick finally reaches the venue in the Colorado mountains, but with an empty wedding room and no sign of Declan or the fiancé, he knows he’s too late.

All too familiar with rejection, jilted by his fiancé on his wedding day, and lost, Declan has no idea what comes next. He never imagined he’d be entirely alone after his former fiancé and the wedding party leave, or that an avalanche would trap him in the hotel over Christmas. And worse? Patrick is in the hotel with him and won’t leave him alone. Sharing a room with his former best friend is the last thing Declan wants, but maybe nature has given him a sign that he needs to confront the past and find a way to move on with his life. If only it was easy to fall out of love with the man who holds your heart.


All the books In the Snowed Inn collection are standalone stories and can be read In any order.

Snowed Inn story Collection:

All the books can be read as standalones and in any order and all are available to buy or pre-order

• RJ Scott – Stop the Wedding – https://books2read.com/StopTheWedding

• H.L Day – Five Night Stand – https://books2read.com/FiveNightStandHL

• V.L. Locey – Checking it Twice – https://books2read.com/CheckingItTwiceVL

• LC Chase – Breakfast Included – https://books2read.com/BreakfastIncludedLCC

• Xenia Melzer – The Real Kaimana – https://books2read.com/RealKaimanaXM

• Meredith Russell – Stuck With You- https://books2read.com/StuckWithYouMR

• Eli Easton – A Changeling Christmas – https://books2read.com/ChangelingChristmasE

Review: Five Night Stand (A Snowed Inn story) by H.L. Day

Rating: 4🌈

The holiday stories have started to be released and H.L. Day’s Five Night Stand marks the beginning of my seasonal reading.

It’s a short sweet romance with all the elements and characters that make a heartwarming holiday story and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Nathan Nichols, action/suspense author, is on a break. Nathan is trying to salvage his latest book that’s been rejected by his publisher. And the rewrite, up in a snowy mountain inn, is going nowhere.

A one night stand with CJ, a wildlife photographer, that turns into more courtesy of a avalanche , sparks more than inspiration.

H.L. Day builds a really lovely holiday story around this theme. Nathan’s predicament and his frazzled, upset attitude with himself and the situation is perfect for this moment. CJ, there to capture snow filled wildlife photos, especially rings true. The location, the elements, and the men lead to a romantic, heartwarming journey as they make love and share histories.

Five Night Stand has so much promise for a larger novel about the men, their characters, romance , and relationship. It’s the one reason I find shorter stories so frustrating.

If you love holiday romances and a terrific couple, this is a great way to start your seasonal reading. I’m recommending it.

Description:

The advantage of a one-night stand is being able to walk away. Except, Nathan can’t.

Workaholic Nathan Nicholls hasn’t had the easiest time of late. Still reeling from his publisher’s rejection of his latest book, he seeks refuge in a remote hotel. When he’s propositioned by the sinfully sexy CJ, a man who knows exactly what he wants and isn’t afraid to go for it, why shouldn’t Nathan throw caution to the winds for once and have a bit of fun? After all, he’s leaving the next day.

When an avalanche puts paid to Nathan’s quick exit, he finds himself stuck there for Christmas. Stuck with CJ. What should be awkward, quickly becomes something else. The snow might be cold, but the time they spend together is far from it, and Nathan finds his heart warming. If only their passion and laughter didn’t have a shelf life, doomed to come to an end once the road is cleared.

Nathan Nicholls doesn’t do one-night-stands. But maybe, just maybe, if he makes a Christmas wish, this could be something more.

A sweet and steamy 43k forced proximity story which features a man who never was any good at one-night stands, a cheerful wildlife photographer who might not be as confident as he makes out, rustic log cabins, snow, Christmas cheer, and two men gaining a whole new perspective on life.

All the books in the Snowed Inn collection are standalone stories and can be read in any order.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Five Night Stand

Snowed Inn story Collection:

Five Night Stand is a standalone book.. It’s a Christmas novel in the Snowed Inn Collection

All the books can be read as standalones and in any order and all are available to buy or pre-order

• RJ Scott – Stop the Wedding – https://books2read.com/StopTheWedding

• H.L Day – Five Night Stand – https://books2read.com/FiveNightStandHL

• V.L. Locey – Checking it Twice – https://books2read.com/CheckingItTwiceVL

• LC Chase – Breakfast Included – https://books2read.com/BreakfastIncludedLCC

• Xenia Melzer – The Real Kaimana – https://books2read.com/RealKaimanaXM

• Meredith Russell – Stuck With You- https://books2read.com/StuckWithYouMR

• Eli Easton – A Changeling Christmas – https://books2read.com/ChangelingChristmasE

Review: Sass (Style Book3) by Jay Hogan

Rating: 5 🌈

Sass is definitely my favorite of the three Style novels. The writing is tight, the scenes runs the gamut from wryly funny to serious discussions to emotional pathos, all done so beautifully. The superbly crafted characters are ones we’ve gotten to know superficially in the previous books but now get their own stories and romance in a way that makes sense and gives them personal growth. All the other cast are equally strong as well.

When it comes to Kip/Chris , the store manager at Flare, Hogan’s skill at artfully threading multiple important character issues through his storyline without ever letting the exposition overwhelm or drop one of them is outstanding. Kip has always had a quick snarky attitude and a witty quip to go with it. A verbal shield to amuse or bruise or sass to go along with his fabulous sense of style and rotating bedroom door.

The reason why Kip is never Christopher is slowly revealed here through mending a broken relationship with tattoo artist Leon Steadman. Leon too has deep issues he’s not been able to deal with. Ones that led to his argument with Kip and 2 yr long feud. There’s aspects to Leon’s life and history that beg for more page time. He’s that big a infusion of life and energy into the story and Kip’s pattern. I love him and them together. Especially as they worked through their emotional blockages and mental barriers together, inching forward towards a future.

Drew, a young trans character who’s been an integral part of the universe since Flare also has an emotional storyline. Drew has matured from a frightened, bullied teen with a transphobic family into a stylish happy nineteen year old getting ready for his top surgery, knowing he’s loved and supported by his found family at Flare. He’s a remarkable person and character. I heart him so much.

We also see our other couples too . And get a lovely epilogue.

There’s a mention of past sexual assault. But it’s not on page. A warning for those for whom this might be a trigger.

Sass is a story for me with a wider reach. It’s range of serious issues and subject matter goes from dealing with grief and loss, anger and guilt over those same feelings of grief, sexual assault and how the emotional ramifications can effectively impact you in ways if May take decades to understand. Found family, the importance of the right clothes in helping people transition. All that for starters.

I know I missed some.

And it’s beautifully woven together.

Sass is the third book and I do believe you should read them in the order they are written to understand the characters, their growth, and all the relationships.

Happy reading. I’m highly recommending Sass!

Style series:

Flare #1

Strut #2

Sass #3

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showSass (Style #3) by Jay Hogan

For two years I’ve kept Leon Steadman at a safe distance, ever since the night he turned me down flatter than a pancake with a side order of syrupy disapproval. His loss. The world is full of sexy men. One and done is simply good math and efficient use of my time. Or it would be if I hadn’t been lusting after the irritating, judgemental, gorgeous, mountain of a man, ever since.

The less I see of Leon, the better. Bad enough that his tattoo business sits next to Flare, the fashion store I manage, and that he’s friendly with my boss. But now he’s apartment-sitting above the shop, as well. Every time I turn around, Leon is there. In my store. In my space. Messing with my head. Being all nice and charming and acting like maybe he’s not the biggest jerk to walk the earth, after all.

Well, I don’t want or need Leon’s apologies, but maybe if I can have him, just once, it might put an end to this ridiculous hunger that sparks every time I lay eyes on him.

Yeah, I’ll get back to you on that.



Note: This book contains limited discussion of off-page past trauma.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Spring Strings by Lily Morton

Rating: 4🌈

Another wonderful contemporary romance from Lily Morton, Spring Strings is situated in the same model universe that has such wonderful characters as the incredibly beautiful always stoned Dean, Jude, and the effervescent Pip.

It’s a novella so unlike some of Morton’s longer fabulously memorable stories, Spring Strings misses in some of the depth of character history and layering she’s able to bring to her novels.

But Malachi Booth is such a striking character, in strong wry personality as well in beauty, that it goes a long way in helping her readers through the narrative shortcomings. Cadan Landry, his farm in Cornwall, do the rest of the heavy lifting for the romance and storytelling.

The charm of the farm and it’s setting, gruff Caden, his precarious financial situation, everything makes him and his predicament relatable.

Throw in Mal and the romance becomes a lively, sexy dance to love and HEA.

I found it entertaining and lovely.

I’m definitely recommending it for lovers of contemporary romance and Lily Morton.

Description:

Malachi Booth is a supermodel. He’s used to moving about the world, sleeping with whoever takes his fancy and watching the money roll in. The last place he expects to find himself is on a run-down farm in Cornwall, but a bad bout of bronchitis means that he’s stuck there. The only compensation for this dismal state of affairs is that the farmer is very good looking, even if he’s the grumpiest person that Malachi has ever met.

Cadan Landry’s farm has been in his family for hundreds of years but that doesn’t make it any easier to make ends meet. As a consequence, Cadan could be called grumpy. Most men would consider a supermodel collapsing at their feet while dressed in the skimpiest pair of briefs ever made to be a sign of good fortune. Cadan just resents the fact that the young man is taking up space in his cow field.

These two men are from different worlds, but can they ever meet in the middle?


From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a novella about snarky models, misconceptions, and finding a home in the most unlikely of places.

Review: Shameless Puckboy (Puckboy Book 3) by Eden Finley and Saxon James

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Shameless Puckboy brings us to Oskar Voyjik’s story, one I’ve greatly anticipated. Throughout the Puckboy series, when the Collective , a group of LGBTGIA pro hockey players, has gathered together to celebrate each other’s milestone events or to welcome another into their ranks, Oskar’s antics and outrageous personality has stood out.

Now his bad judgement with his flagrant sexual activities, caught on camera and swiftly passed to all media outlets are threatening his career. He and his actions have just gotten so out of hand that the San Jose’s PR manager decides to personally tackle reigning in the bad boy of his team if not the NHL.

I love this story. It’s a two person narrative that works remarkably well to get the reader into the mindset and hearts of PR manager Lane Pierce and gorgeous bad boy hockey player Oskar Voyjik.

It’s wonderful writing because with both men , it’s a matter of emotional defenses, of assumptions made that now have to be dropped and deep sea changes in life patterns to rearrange to move forward with each other. Finley’s and James’s carefully crafted personalities are rich with stubbornness, humor, bitterness, sexuality, and the need for acceptance.

Watching these two move towards each other while adjusting their preconceived notion’s about each other and finally realizing that they are in a real relationship is believable and moving.

There’s the inevitable drama but not an unexpected element. It feels true to the story and situation.

While I have thoroughly enjoyed each book and couples in this series, Shameless is probably my favorite.

There’s another coming out Foolish Puckboy but not until next year.

Argh!

Until then, I’ll have to fantasize. And recommend to all who haven’t read or caught up on this series, that you do so. As soon as possible.

I’ve listed them below. Happy reading!

Puckboy series:

✓ Egotistical Puckboy #1

✓ Irresponsible Puckboy #2

✓ Shameless Puckboy #3

â—¦ Foolish Puckboy #4 – April 13, 2023

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showShameless Puckboy (Puckboys #3) by Eden Finley

Description:

OSKAR

After a little mishap in an alleyway with CCTV, my public image needs fixing. Oops?
It might have been a stunt to get the attention of Lane Pierce, San Jose’s new PR manager, but I didn’t realize what the consequences would be when I did it. I’ve got Lane’s sole focus now in all the wrong ways.
He has designated himself as my babysitter, and while it’s fun messing with him, being bound by curfews and rules has never worked for me.
The more I push back, the more I realize what’s really on the line. My career, my future, and maybe even my heart.


LANE

Being appointed head of San Jose’s PR department was a dream come true … until I met Oskar Voyjik.
He may be San Jose royalty, but with the stunts Oskar’s been pulling, the team owner is down to his last thread of patience. Which puts me in the firing line. If I can’t turn Oskar’s entitled party boy image around, we’ll both be shown the door.
I have free rein to do whatever it takes, and it turns out whatever it takes is Oskar.
Only, the more entangled our lives become, the more I see the Oskar he’s buried deep down. The one who hurts, the one who’s sensitive and kind, the one … the one I think I’m falling for.
I can’t have him and my career, and if rumors of the professional lines I’ve crossed get out, it’s not only my dream job I can kiss goodbye; I’ll be disgraced from professional sports completely.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy: Miracle 4 By A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 4.75🌈

We are now into Miracle 4 of How I Stole The Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him To Villainy, a fabulous fantasy serial by A.J. Sherwood and things are heating up in the slow romance between Knight Devan and sorcerer Tan.

It all happens during a mission to investigate the disappearance and sinkings of multiple vessels as they sail through a Strait near Devan’s family.

Sherwood starts to use this journey to deepen the relationship between Tan and Devan. A longer history is revealed and the turmoil of Devan’s thoughts regarding his long service to the kingdom come to the surface.

All serious elements while not forgetting the humor and new sexuality that’s entering into their relationship.

It’s a great story and also sets up some perilous times ahead for all.

I can’t wait for the next installment. There are 6 in all. I’m highly recommending the series, including this one. But read them in the order they are written for story and relationship development.

https://www.amazon.com › stole-Pri…How I stole the Princess’s White Knight and Turned Him to Villainy : Miracle 4 eBook …

…

Description:

What’s Devan to do when his cousin’s ships and the crew go missing? Set sail with Tan to figure it out.

What’s Tan to do when Devan finally makes a move? N.S.F.W. Many times. On many surfaces.

Damn creatures are trying to interrupt them. Murder ensues.

Tags:

The crack ship armada sails again, literally, Tan fell first, Devan fell harder, communication, because miscommunication is the devil’s trope, Devan puts himself first for once, Tan approves, LET THE PLANNING BEGIN!, unless Devan beckons you to bed, then planning can wait, relationship progress, flirty Devan has been released, Tan is thrilled, Wells feels betrayed, just lots of fluff in between murder, tipsy Tan does things to Devan, first kiss, The VOID explained.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: The Creek (Briar County #3) by Riley Hart

Rating: 5🌈

There’s nothing better then to be able to return to Riley Hart’s fictional North Carolina setting of Briar County, where we’ve gotten to know the various townships and citizens that makeup this warm-hearted series.

The Creek sets down a familiar theme with a hometown son returning after a decade or so absence.

Hart’s storyline of second chance love combined with this richly layered foundation of found family and warm-hearted tapestry of a diverse community is a wonderful novel to sink into.

There’s so much to appreciate and love here. The characters are well crafted, defined by their past histories and experiences as well as their personalities.

A major standout in terms of storylines? One that’s rarely seen among contemporary romance novels is that Hart doesn’t take sides when narratively exploring the broken relationships between divorced fathers August, his ex Lewis (not a MC), and their teenage son, Reese, who’s having enormous emotional issues dealing with all the upheaval in his life. No one dimensional ex hatred or simplistic dumping.

No. Here, Reese’s pain and adjustment problems are naturally made a big theme of August’s return to Harmony. Reese’s slow integration into the community with the help of the “found family “ members we’ve come to love and care about is remarkable in its believability and realistic elements. His fears of abandonment, the discussions that he finally understands how to bring up about himself, his fears, heartbreaking and grounded in RL.

Cliff Jones, the welder/artist, who’s never forgotten his first kiss and the boy who gave it to him, is a sheer joy to encounter. No drama, just a warmth of discovery, and understanding about where his future lies in the man and his teenage son who’s returned.

August and Reese, their deeply heartfelt relationship is real and emotional. Reese, who is seeing a therapist to try and help him understand his feelings, is so well written that you will believe you know him. Well.

The drama, such as it is, occurs much as it would in real life. The arguments are the same. The outcome lovely.

There’s so much here to connect with and take into your heart. It all begins with the road into Briar County.

If you’re not familiar with this incredible lovely series, I’ve listed them below. And I highly recommend them all, including this one.

Briar County series to date:

✓ Firefly Lane #1

✓ Sundae’s Best #2

✓ The Creek #3

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.com › Creek-B…The Creek (Briar County Book 3) – Kindle edition by Hart, Riley, Aguiar, Wander. …

Description:

Divorced for two years, August Reynolds needs a change. He and his teenage son, Reese, pack up and move to Briar County, the home August left at fourteen. He’s hoping it’ll help him and Reese connect again, that Reese will come into his own there the way August did. For him, it was all because of Clint Jones, his childhood best friend and first crush.

At forty-two, Clint figures he’s probably never going to find the one. He’s dated on and off, but he’s never fallen in love. He has his business, his dogs, his friends and family. Most of the time, that’s enough, but then August moves home—Clint’s first kiss and bisexual awakening—making him realize he might be lonelier than he thought.

Clint and August fall back into an easy friendship. Some of their best childhood memories are the days they spent at the creek: talking, laughing, and learning about who they were. But now they’re adults, the attraction palpable between them. It’s not long before they’re tumbling into bed, stealing moments for secret kisses and spending days exploring each other.

They can’t move too fast, though. Reese misses his other father, and sometimes August worries Reese would rather be with him. They’re just getting their life on track, and the last thing August wants is to shake it up by telling Reese he’s with Clint. But as it turns out, that’s not the only obstacle in their way…

The Creek is a small-town, second-chances, friends-to-lovers romance, with mature men who talk about their feelings, stolen kisses, and nights spent beneath the stars.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.

Review: Filthy and the Beast (Love Unexpectedly Book 4) by R. Cayden

Rating: 4🌈

Filthy and the Beast was read out of sequence in R. Cayden’s Love Unexpectedly series and I honestly don’t think it matters. Some of the other couples make appearances but who they are is explained or further depth of detail isn’t necessary.

For a quick, sweet contemporary romance, Filthy and the Beast is lovely. It’s got a age gap, nerd/jock, and what is described as sunny/grumpy dynamics happening. Oh and a bi-awakening too.

There’s some terrific elements here that I thought were underdeveloped which is likely due to the shorter length of the novel. Shame because greater attention to such character growth and aspects of their relationship/lives would have enhanced the storylines.

Damien here is a young man who does many things well but hasn’t found what he’s passionate about. Cayden is able to make Damien engaging and very connectable.

Enzo the former boxer is lovely and there’s parts to him I wish had been enlarged. His past is a bit lacking, when we get the major dramatic points filled in , it’s fleeting and not with the dimension it requires. But one of the biggest elements is his rescue and love of pit bulls. It becomes a major story thread. Yet it’s seriously shallow for such a popular and emotional theme.

Their relationship is quick and pretty seamless but with a few minor stumbling blocks.

So it’s a good romance but the promise for a even better one will hang over it all the way to the end.

Love Unexpectedly series:

â—¦ Filthy Sweet #1

â—¦ Filthy Bromance #2

â—¦ Filthy Rock Stars #3

✓ Filthy and the Beast #4

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com › showFilthy and the Beast (Love Unexpected, #4) by R. Cayden

Description:

There’s no way in hell I’m falling for a man called the Sledgehammer.

Enzo is a lot of things.
A big grump of a jock.
Twenty years my senior.
My employer.
Straight.
I’m living with the retired boxer while he recovers from an injury, just here to earn a good paycheck after my life fell apart.
Getting emotionally involved with the man isn’t my job, but my gaze keeps lingering on his thick muscles and the storm clouds in his eyes.
For a million reasons, my geeky heart shouldn’t flutter when Enzo walks in the room.
But then he grunts my name, our eyes lock, and the world turns upside down.

Filthy and the Beast is a steamy standalone M/M romance featuring an older, grumpy jock and the bubbly geek who lands in his mansion and upends his life. It’s got a secret sweetheart, surprise temptation, and a touch of angst. The fourth book in Love Unexpected, Filthy and the Beast can be enjoyed alone or as part of the series.

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Unless it’s noted, all books reviewed have been purchased by the reviewer.