Review: Rules of Play (The Script Club #2) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 5 🌈

I really wondered about this story because of the character of George.

That’s tall, cape wearing, genius who’s been a bit of an enigma although he’s gotten a lot of page time within the series to date.

Nice trick. Very vampire like.

So who’s he’s paired up with becomes as much as a surprise as he is . And that makes this story more satisfying all the way.

Rules of Play helps fill in George’s important adolescence stage as well as advance the timeline for the focus group of friends. We get his past and see the entire group more settled into jobs or relationships.

Maturity is advancing,,,, somewhat…

But the person about to come back into George’s life is someone very familiar and close to George’s family.

Aiden is one of Simon’s best friends, and Simon is one of George’s older brothers. Aiden also spent much of his younger years at the Murphy house because of his parents dysfunction and love of alcohol.

A broken down car and a night rescue is all it takes to bring Aiden ,as a mechanic, back into George’s life. George’s boss’s unfortunate love life will keep him there as they plot a way for Newton to romance the girl of his dreams.

Close proximity and really heated libidos bring about all sorts of changes in their relationship, including ones Aiden never anticipated. One where he just might be bisexual.

Complicated characters, realistic situations, emotionally charged conversations about sexuality, and, friendship. All those elements wrapped up in a great romance.

Lane Hayes delivers a marvelous tale full of humor, lusty scenes, warmth and love.

This series continues to evolve and get better with each story.

Love this and everyone novel. Recommending them all.

The Script Club Series:

Following the Rules #1

Rules of Play #2

The Jock Script #3

Synopsis:

The genius, the ex-jock, and a new playbook…

George-

My brother’s friend is hot—if you’re into flannel-wearing lumbersexual former jocks who eat donuts for dinner and still scribble to-do lists on their palms. I’m not. I’m a serious scientist in my final year of grad school. Okay, I admit I have few quirks of my own. I also have a broken truck and a boss who thinks I can help him find love. I’m in over my head. Help!

Aiden-

A few quirks? Really? George is the weirdest dude I know. He wears capes in public, brings a book everywhere he goes, and loves all things spooky. He’s also the smartest person on the planet—who somehow thinks I can help him write a How-To-Get-A-Date playbook for his boss. Yeah, that sounds suspicious. I know baseball; I don’t know anything about love. But I can’t say no. The thing is…I’ve always had a soft spot for George. But falling for my best friend’s brother is against the rules, isn’t it?

Rules of Play is an MM bisexual awakening story where opposites attract and shenanigans ensue!

Review: Following the Rules: (The Script Club Book 1) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 4.5 🌈

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.

I’ll tell you right now I adore them all!

And highly recommend them, starting here.

The Script Club Series:

Following the Rules #1

Rules of Play #2

The Jock Script #3

Synopsis:

The geek, the jock, and a new set of rules…

Topher-

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.

Nerd/Jock MM Romance

Following the Rules (The Script Club, #1) by Lane Hayeshttps://www.goodreads.com › book › sho

Review: Got Me Wishing (Vet Shop Boys #2) by Casey Cox

Review: 4.5🌈

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.

Vet Shop Boys series so far:

Got Me Hoping #1

Got Me Wishing #2

Got Me Looking #3- coming in January 2022

Synopsis:

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?

Review: Hijacked (Licking Thicket: Horn of Glory #1) by Lucy Lennox and May Archer

Rating: 2.75🌈

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

Hijacked (Licking Thicket: Horn of Glory #1)

Review: Offside Rules (Met His Match) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4 🌈

Sometimes love takes balls.

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

https://www.goodreads.com › showOffside Rules by Louisa Masters – Goodreads

Review: Dearest Milton James by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.75🌈

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.

Review: Got Me Hoping (Vet Shop Boys #1) by Casey Cox

Rating: 4.25🌈

New author, new story, new series!

Got Me Hoping is the first in Casey Cox’s new Vet Shop Boys contemporary romance series and it’s a winner.

Sweet, heartwarming, light, and romantic! Plus animals! Because it centers around a veterinary clinic and the vets that work there.

Vet Shop Boys is the name of the clinic, a twist on the 80’s boy band .

I liked the series setup and characters immediately. Each one engaging and adorable. Plus soooo in need of a HEA that you can’t wait for each person’s story.

First up is Noah Walters, 34 year old vet with three broken relationships behind him. He’s gorgeous, kind, giving, and uncertain about opening up to another heartbreak.

He’s also owner to the adorable Buddy, a golden retriever!

It’s at the vets favorite bar, where a game of Never Have I Ever reveals that Noah’s a complete stranger to one-night stands. It’s not something he would do.

But a meeting that night changes his mind and future.

Haze Adams is at a bar when he sees a gorgeous man and has a one night stand that changes his world. The man is gorgeous, kind, funny, and their connection is unlike anything Haze has ever experienced.

Haze is a terrific character. Full of doubts about himself, his own direction in life, and pain caused by his last relationship, he too is caught unaware by his feelings towards Noah.

This wonderful tale of unexpected love, rearranged goals and a new combined future is just so lovely.

We get to know everyone at the clinic, plus people important to Haze who will, I expect, be popping up in stories down in the series….*cough* Tate.

There’s Gus the clinic owner, what a mess,there’s Chase, and of course, Fulton , Noah’s BFF vet with all his hilarious t-shirts. Honestly, the author must have had a great time looking at Etsy and other sites for the sayings and those exact shirts! Plus I need now to know what’s the mystery about Fulton?

Luckily, his story is up next! So I don’t have to wait long.

I love finding new authors and books! Here I get a series too! So happy!

I’m definitely recommending it!

Vet Shop Boys series:

Got Me Hoping (Vet Shop Boys, #1)

Got Me Wishing (Vet Shop Boys #2) out Oct 4th

Synopsis: It’s just a one-night stand, they said. It’ll be simple, no-strings fun, they said. They. Lied.

I’m done with love and being broken-hearted. The only dogs I want to deal with are the ones I treat in the veterinary clinic I work at.

But at thirty-four, having my first one-night stand can’t hurt. Right? The rules are pretty simple.

1. Don’t spend the night.

2. Don’t see him again.

3. Don’t share anything personal.

4. Don’t fall in love with him.

But when Haze, the guy I spent a blazing hot night with and haven’t been able to forget about, shows up as our new receptionist, the rules fly out the window.

There’s no way one night could lead to anything more. So why has Haze got me hoping this might just last?

Got Me Hoping is book 1 in the Vet Shop Boys series and can be read as a stand-alone. Expect plenty of humor, found family, an adorable golden retriever, a foul-mouthed parrot, a whole new way of getting clean (as well as very, very dirty) and a heartwarming happily ever after

Review: Cowboy’s Law by B.A.Tortuga

Rating: 4.5 🌈

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.

B.A. Tortuga

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?

Review: The Play of His Life by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5 🌈

It’s play hockey time so I can’t get enough of my favorite sport, that includes reading about it in my romances.

Amy Aislin is in that top group of authors I recommend who write outstanding hockey romances. Her stories include both great characters but just as importantly the fact that this author loves and understands the game of hockey in all its aspects. And feeds the reader that love and knowledge through various threads of storylines and themes.

Also with Aislin (as with other authors of hockey romances) , her characters, couples and stories are written so they intertwine into a rich satisfying tapestry of hockey, romance, and HEA. People, couples, teams, the Toronto Trailblazers, Glenn Hill College Mountaineers (college team), Burlington, Vermont, Vancouver…. People, places, teams that weave together in book after book, a delightful rich and colorful ongoing flow of love that has never ceases to amaze me.

The Play of His Life is a perfect example of this. I even remember when Riley got hurt on the ice…. In another story. Then he was a solid member of the Trailblazers. Until his injury took him out of the sport he loved. We sort of wondered what happened to the likable Riley. But never found out.

Until now.

But here we delve into the complicated background and painful history of not just Riley but the man he left behind.

And the second chance at love they both get. Yes, one of my favorite tropes.

With a two person POV that I always find works so well, Aislin gives us the background of both men, all the way to kindergarten through all their formative years, to first love and then the issues that divided them and tore them apart for years.

It’s touching, moving, funny, frustrating, and , raw. I loved it, these men, and their journey back to each other and HEA.

Plus , yes we get to see so many ok’d friends as well, as usual.

The writing is so good I could free the biting cold coming off the lake, feel my hands freezing in the cold winds, and the absolute joy in a young boy hitting his first pucks. Magic.

Consider this and all the Amy Aislin stories highly recommended.

Synopsis:The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he’s still in love with the jerk?

Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he’s got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian’s life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him…

The Play of His Life was originally published in 2017. This updated version has a brand new cover, but very little new content aside from grammar and typo updates and the addition of the bonus epilogue that was originally available via subscription to Amy’s newsletter.

The Play of His Life

Review: Steamroller by Mary Calmes

Rating: 3.25 🌈

Totally sweet college romance. This is one short story that I wish had been expanded a bit in places to give us a firmer foundation of both characters, their history on the campus, and at the end. Especially with them facing the huge upheavals in their lives.

Vincent is the most fully realized of the two characters and I like his snarky self just fine. Could have done with more of him and his crew at the local small print store . They were a great group of found family and made the story more then any of the other people introduced later.

That includes his best friend and “ brother” who bailed on him and the rent for a tiny apartment, being a nonentity here basically for most of the story , while supposedly a huge part of Vincent’s life.

That’s one issue here. Elements that are foundation components to these characters and to the story just don’t get much narrative time. And it shows. With both boys history and with the big revelation from Carson about his feelings for Vincent. The author just laid no groundwork for it and I wish she had because this is an adorable couple with great potential.

There needed to be more to that ending because as crafted, Vincent was not the sort of person to behave irresponsibly and leave his friends/co workers hanging. We and they needed something more.

So a cute romance that needed a bit more length and closure to feel complete.

Synopsis:About the last thing Vincent Wade expected was for Carson Cress to ask him out. Vince is a dedicated biology student and a bit of a loner. Superstar quarterback Carson is larger than life, and he lives under a public microscope. There’s no way they should work. But Vince is learning that sometimes people just come steamrolling into your life and all you can do is hang on for the ride or lose your heart in the process. If their relationship can survive the fallout when an injury derails Carson’s future plans, maybe Vince can finally find something to believe in

https://www.goodreads.com › showSteamroller by Mary Calmes – Goodreads

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