Category: M/M Fiction

Review:  The Paternity Puzzle (Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood, #1) by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 4.5🌈

The Paternity Puzzle, the third series and another important evolutionary step in Sawyer Keys and Royce Locke’s relationship and marriage. 

This well written book is about families, from many emotional aspects and from different perspectives.  It’s Sawyer and Royce embarking on their own journey through prospective fatherhood, a murder case  involving a fertility doctor that hits home for them, and Royce’s strained dynamic with his father gets a thoughtful storyline that’s moving and realistic. 

While this investigation is complete, the story sets up a larger narrative with a different darker story going forward. 

Excellent character development, and it’s wonderful to see all my favorites here, including those podcasters from Sinister in Savannah. 

Really looking forward to seeing the next in the series. 

Cover photo © Wander Aguiar

Cover design © Natasha Snow

Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood series: 

The Paternity Puzzle #1

The Sinner’s Son #2 – Sept 9, 2025

Brokered Betrayals #3 – Dec 16, 2025

Preceding Necessary Locke and Key Series :

Zero Hour (3 books)

Sawyer and Royce: Matrimony and Mayhem (3 book series)

Related series:

Sinister in Savannah (3 book series)

Buy link 

        The Paternity Puzzle (Sawyer and Royce: Felonies and Fatherhood Book 1)

    

Blurb 

Royce Locke and Sawyer Key are back and better than ever with new mysteries and hilarious shenanigans as they tackle their greatest challenge yet: fatherhood. 

A perfect holiday weekend takes a twisted turn when Royce investigates a suspicious death involving Dr. Jean Claude Matisse, a retired pioneer in fertility medicine. What first looks like an accidental overdose quickly turns into something more sinister when explosive allegations reveal hundreds of reasons why someone would want the doctor dead.

This investigation hits close to home, exposing the vulnerabilities of relying on science and a doctor’s ethics to have a family, especially when the hopeful husbands are only a positive pregnancy test away from parenthood.

The Paternity Puzzle is book one in the Felonies and Fatherhood trilogy, the third story arc for Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. ** New readers should start with the Zero Hour and Matrimony and Mayhem trilogies before reading Felonies and Fatherhood. ** The Paternity Puzzle continues Royce and Sawyer’s happily ever after as they move into the most anticipated phase of their lives. Though some storylines span the trilogy, this book does not end in a cliffhanger. Heat, humor, heart, and homicide abound. You have been warned. 18+

Review:  Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 4🌈

Mafia Bound is a series from K.M. Neuhold that focuses on the Moretti crime family and the romantic relationships and partners each Moretti man finds himself in. It’s usually been with a murderous sociopathic twink of a traumatic background. My favorite couple being Sal and dancer Dante (3) , followed by unhinged Sparrow and the family enforcer, Xaviaro (1). 

The energy, chemistry and sheer insanity that powers these relationships made the storylines and those couples. Each had layers and a certain depth of character that allowed for a realistic development of the relationship between them. 

And that’s really the issue here. While we’ve met Luca, the youngest of the Moretti family prior, we’ve not gotten to know him well.  He’s a puppy, as Dante calls him. Against all the others? He’s definitely not the same factor of darkness or seriousness of damage. He’s too young in his current form. 

And the other main character is also not supported by any foundation or framework of storytelling. Anders is a good character but everything we learn about him comes from a “as told to” approach. We don’t see any interactions between the father he’s terrified of or honestly, of the brother he’s been protecting.  It’s a diminishing aspect of the character’s storyline. 

The positives, seeing Dante and Sal (#couplegoals ) and Sparrow as well as Xav, was fantastic. The energy and intensity they bring to this narrative made it feel so much better.  And the dialogue and dynamics between them as Luca was hilarious. 

Anders and Luca’s instant love romance could have been better if they had more time to establish themselves as a couple. Instead they come off a new, younger version, without the intense energy or interest.

This is the 4th book but I believe there’s more coming.  I’m definitely going to be reading those. 

A terrific series with D/s elements, crime family romances, and lots of sexy men. 

Cover Design Natasha Snow”

Great covers.

Mafia Bound:

  • Deadly Little Sparrow #1
  • Beautifully Savage Butterfly #2
  • Unhinged Little Angel #3
  • Desperately Delicate Viper

Buy link

        Desperately Delicate Viper (Mafia Bound Book 4)

    

Blurb 

That Feeling when the man you just robbed and left tied up and blindfolded turns out to be in the mafia…

I’m not proud of the things I’ve had to do for money to pay off my dad’s debts and put my younger brother through college. But I’ll never regret it.

What I do regret is accidentally robbing a Moretti.

Having to look over my shoulder and ducking every time a car backfires is bad enough, but when the man in question starts costing me business? Yeah, I think we’re going to have a problem.

I never knew I could feel the way I do when Luca Moretti gets on his knees for me, but I don’t have time to be romanced by this obsessed, submissive, mafioso.

No one has ever made me feel as strong and capable as he does. Can I really be the viper he sees me as? If I learn how to bite, can I finally make my life my own with Luca Moretti at my side?

  • Publication date: June 6, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 203 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Mafia Bound

Review:  Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Speed (Railers Legacy Book 1) by RJ Scott and V.L. Locey continues the Harrisburg Railers Hockey Team multi-series universe with a new addition, Railers Legacy.   Once again, we see a character who the readers have become familiar with and love now grown up and preparing to play for the team his family played for. 

It’s Noah Gunnarsson, son of the fabulous characters and NHL players, Eric Lyamin-Gunnarsson and husband, Stan Lyamin-Gunnarsson , still gloriously happy, retired with grown children and a house full of animals. 

Noah, we see him selected at draft time, and then later when it’s time for the rookies to show up and prepare to play.  

I’ll say I wish there was more ice time and locker room dynamic. That makes a hockey team and a realistic romantic story. And these authors write great hockey. But it’s downplayed so Noah’s diabetes can become a stronger element, which it is.  From Noah regulating the insulin and diet to his health regimen as an athlete and the factors that affect his performance as a diabetic.  It makes Noah an extremely effective character and folds his diabetes in as a important factor.

Noah, and family are a great aspect of the story and come with an established fan base, because honestly, Stan? Still my favorite. 

Brody and his multitude of issues don’t get that same energy or feel of being as well explored or resolved here. He’s got a controlling, abusive grandfather, severe medical problems, bi-awakening, fear of loss of control and direction. And his passion for driving and as a ex F1 driver? Not really established except for the beginning part of the book. The rest is verbiage.

For him to be a completely realized person, there should be more foundation to that race car driver essence of him. Instead the focus switches to his sexuality. Brody becomes instantly obsessed with a man he kisses on the “downlow”, Noah. Someone he tracks down, “stalks” until he’s part of an instant love story.A romance that has elements of “bisexual awakening “, “coming out” and immediate almost overnight partnership, tossed into his and their relationship that reads so quickly done that you’ll be blinking and wondering where the foundation is. 

And the controlling, threatening grandfather just disappears completely here. 

The story ends with a number of things unresolved in the story and relationship, and a clear picture of the next couple coming forward. 

I was really happy to see Eric, Stan and some of the other people who I’ve known in my series show up. Noah is just lovely. 

Read it for the connection to Stan and Eric, and the Railers. And this family as they were in the old novels. 

Cover design by Meredith Russell, Edited by Sue Laybourn”

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comSpeed (Railers Legacy Book 1) – Kindle edition by Scott, RJ, Locey, V.L.. Romance …

Blurb 

Hard ice. Fast cars. Fierce love. 

Hockey is as natural as breathing for Noah Gunnarsson. Growing up with two famous hockey stars as his dads, Noah has always aspired to join the Railers to continue the Lyamin-Gunnarsson legacy. With his degree done, it’s time to live that dream; the first step is getting a spot on the team his dads played for. The second step is to pull on that dusky blue-gray sweater and make his fathers proud. His rookie year is bound to be a season of incredible highs and lows, but one of the biggest highlights is meeting Brody Vance at a fundraiser. Brody is the living epitome of a bad boy hiding his pain behind a devil-may-care attitude. As Noah struggles to keep one eye on the puck and not on Brody, it’s only a matter of time before love collides with sport in a chaotic splash of media attention. 

Racing driver Brody Vance has spent his life chasing speed and glory and is only points away from his first world championship when a devastating crash ends his season. Determined to make a triumphant comeback, Brody is blindsided by a diagnosis that forces him off the track for good. With his world flipped upside down, and family and fans questioning why he left, Brody hides his pain by pushing the limits and refusing to let anyone see the cracks. But after a chance meeting with a sweet, sexy hockey player turns into an unforgettable one-night stand, fate keeps putting Noah in his path. With his heart on the line and his body racing against time, 

Brody must decide if he’s willing to risk it all for love—or if he’ll let fear and pride leave him in the dust. Speed is a steamy M/ M romance with a hockey rookie living his family legacy, a bad-boy racing driver with secrets, media attention that would break even the strongest of men, an unforgettable one-night stand, a love that means risking it all, and a hard-won happy ever after.”

Review: Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4) by Vinni George

Rating: 4.5🌈

Monochrome is the finale story of Vinni George’s ORCA series about a group of orca whale shifters , the agency they form (ORCA ) to find and return stolen artifacts and artwork and the fated mates the find at each case and investigation. 

I really enjoyed this as it tied up the overall series mystery of the missing artwork, brought out the revelations behind several deaths, the last brother, Julius found a mate and a family, and the grandmother finally comes home. 

Julius Hunter is the last brother to find his fated mate. When he does, it’s his client, a panda shifter, Ethan Lin , who has guardianship of his young niece and nephew. 

It’s a great romance, the children who become part of the growing Hunter family, are absolutely adorable, and Ethan as an overwhelmed, stressed and anxious man is a relatable character. 

All the brothers and mates, as well as cousins and mates are here working together on the investigations and mysteries. It’s a fantastic story, pulling together every aspect of all the books and characters to create an absolutely amazing and satisfying finale.

Loved this and it’s one I’m definitely recommending. 

I wish the covers were story or character oriented in some form. They honestly could be applied to any other genre or book.

Cover Design: Alison Millsaps, Ozark Witch Cover Design

ORCA series:

Black & White #1

Grayscale #2

Full Color #3

Monochrome #4: finale 

Buy link

        Monochrome: An MM Shifter Romantic Suspense Novel (ORCA Book 4)

    

Blurb:

After a career on Wall Street, Julius Hunter is content to live his life as a modern Robin Hood. Getting corrupt corporations to invest with him while he siphons their money into charitable organizations makes his blood pump, so when he’s sent in to find out what the new CEO of a global company knows about money being used to fund the search for a priceless piece of artwork connected to his family, he’s all in.

Ethan Lin never wanted to be CEO of the company his great-great-grandfather founded. He also never wanted to be a parent, but when his sister died in a car accident, he inherited her title and her two adorable children. Balancing life as the head of a corporation and as a new dad is a challenge, and with diminishing returns at home and in the boardroom something has to give.

When Julius shows up, offering help in both areas of Ethan’s life, they learn they have more in common than they think. Including a shared enemy. Whoever is targeting the Hunter family also has their sights set on Ethan, and Julius will stop at nothing to make sure the man he’s falling for and his children stay safe as the final pieces fall into place.

Monochrome is the final book in the Organization for the Return of Criminals and Assets (ORCA) series, featuring an orca shifter financier who had no idea he liked kids, a panda shifter hellbent on making sure his family’s legacy doesn’t end with him, and a final showdown that changes everything.

  • Publication date: June 5, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 239 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: ORCA

Review:  How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae

Rating: 4🌈

How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls #3) by Shannon Mae continues this fated mates series with the next couple, two damaged people, Atlas the Hellhound who’s mostly feral, and Aiden, the human being who is still recovering from his ordeal from his time as a prisoner and kidnap victim. 

Shannon Mae, an author who’s written many of the series I have reviewed and highly recommended, writes here about some very disturbing and very sensitive topics with genuine compassion and respect.  She does it well and I think within a therapeutic framework.  FYI for those readers who should look at TW going forward. 

Fluffy and Aiden’s growing relationship started in the previous books, with Aiden going on walks in the woods and dog-like Atlas as his companion, Fluffy.  Aiden not yet understanding who or what Fluffy really is, a mostly feral Atlas who’s found his mate in the wounded Aiden.

Mae has always done a good job in presenting the Hellhounds, or a section of them, as truly otherworldly beings lacking the necessary social knowledge or understanding that allows humans to interact with others and interpret their behavior. 

So the scenes and dialogue between the Hellhounds and their mates or SO’s are humorous but serve a better purpose to underscore their own Otherworldly ignorance. It works here really well. 

Aiden and Atlas’s personal experiences with trauma and pain help them to find their own way through to a deeper relationship. It makes sense to us as readers. 

The author has multiple storylines included here, ones that are still playing out for the next book.

It’s a highly emotional, suspense filled and satisfying story. 

I was so happy for Atlas and Aiden to get their HEA.  

Paradise Falls is Shannon Mae’s favorite location to play in. Can’t wait to see what happens next here. 

A definite recommendation!

Hellhounds of Paradise Falls:

How To Flirt With A Hellhound #1

How To Hack A Hellhound #2

How To Tame A Hellhound #3

How To Trust A Hellhound #4 – Oct 4,2025

What else takes place in Paradise Falls? 

Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures (8 book series)

Buy link

        How to Tame a Hellhound (Hellhounds of Paradise Falls Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Aiden

Apparently, the trauma from being kidnapped doesn’t end when you’re rescued, although I’m doing better. I have a roommate who has become family, and we’ve been adopted by a pack of otherworldly creatures who protect us. I’m still a little jumpy, and most people make me uncomfortable, but baking, therapy, and my daily walks are all helping. The sweet guard dog who follows me around in the woods helps, too. I can tell him anything I want—even how scared I am of my own family. I’m afraid to bring trouble to my new family’s doorstep, but I can’t end up caged again.

Atlas (aka Fluffy)

I have never belonged. I never knew my parents, and I grew up with a pack of wolves. (Yes, I was literally raised by wolves. Believe me, I see the humor in that too.) Wilder found me and adopted me, and I have a pack and a good life. People still make me uncomfortable, though, unless I’m torturing and killing them (only hellbound people—I’m not just some random serial killer). I just like solitude. But there’s something about Aiden that calls to my hellhound, and I can’t help wanting to protect the sweet human. I’ll even put up with being nicknamed Fluffy so long as I get to stay close to him. When I find out he’s in danger, I know I can’t sit back any longer. The only problem? How will my traumatized human react to finding out I’m not just a guard dog?

Tags: Both characters have tragic backstories and need lots of comfort; Aiden loves cuddles and Fluffy is totally cuddle material; Atlas kind of likes being called Fluffy by his human, but he’ll maim anyone else who tries it; there’s torture and death (but only of really bad people); hellhounds have tails, and they know how to use them.

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 234 pages

Review:  Starfire (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 3) by AJ Sherwood

Rating: 4.5 🌈

I adore this series and group of characters so seeing it continue with Luca O’ Broín and architect Noe Keller is amazing. 

The story flows beautifully as the men go through the process of friendship to lovers, working together on the structure of the castle and with their crews. It’s a natural progression and the reader feels folded seamlessly into their journey and the love that they share. 

Sherwood doesn’t forget the dramatic moments, which comes from both sides of each man’s family.  But Starfire satisfactorily deals with each struggle and ends with a sense of accomplishment and success. Of a love and happiness for their future. 

If this is the last book, I’m extremely happy for how they are going out. 

A definite winner and highly recommended. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

Legends of Lobe den Herren series:

Fourth Point of Contact #1

Zone of Action #2

Starfire #3

Buy link: 

        Starfire (Legends of Lobe den Herren Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Luca O’ Broín’s original wife checklist:

  • a loving marriage
  • mother for his children
  • capable of running a fortress
  • sexually compatible
  • someone intelligent

Luca’s REVISED non-negotiable husband checklist: 

  • dependable friend
  • capable of running a fortress
  • willing to move to Bhodhsa
  • someone with brains

Noe Keller’s husband checklist:

  • Luca

Luca’s UPDATED husband checklist:

  • Noe

Turns out wishing on the stars isn’t hopeless after all. 

Tags:

Marriage pact, age gap, hurt/comfort, gay for you, workplace romance, chosen family, cinnamon roll protection squad, assemble!, I did not plan this book, Noe was the one on ship building duty this time, communication, no third act breakups because I can’t stand those, O’ Broin is getting his happily ever after, so is Noe, peanut gallery included, naked proposals are a thing for this series, Sakura dispenses wisdom like candy, Ren and Arman are hashtag relationship goals

  • Publication date: April 19, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 337 pages

Review:  Witchwolf by Sam Burns and W. M. Fawkes 

Rating: 4🌈

Normally I’m not one for the “virgin trope” storyline but Burns and Fawkes are two of my favorite authors and in their hands, it turns into Witchwolf, a delightful urban fantasy romance about a young man who in looking for a hot night out before a new job finds far more than he ever imagined.

Dakota Morris is the young man, recently graduated from college, and ready for his dream job and adventure. But before then? He wants that hot date and experience he’s denied himself by concentrating on his college and studies.

Burns and Fawkes have created a wonderful exuberant character in Dakota and then given him the absolutely best possible place to explore his new life and possibilities for his future. 

Of course he doesn’t expect his future to come with werewolves, mages and a ton of magic. 

The corporate world and culture the authors are laying down will be expanding with the next book , a chapter of which is included at the end of Witchwolf. 

But we get the outline of how the company works and its origins. Pack owned and operated but not exclusively employed by just werewolves.  This is a rich universe Burns and Fawkes are building and I’m hopeful that we get more than just two books here. 

Dakota’s story has mysteries and some drama associated with it.  I wish we could have had more details about his background but understand why that wasn’t given. There’s so much more here that cries out for greater detail and exploration, into the mage history and paranormal being rivalries. 

I’m hoping that future stories dive into this element.

The romance between Dakota and Alpha Ajax is hot, fun, and the dynamic between them makes us absolutely love this couple. Want to throttle Ajax occasionally because of his lack of communication skills but still Dakota makes up for it. 

Love the ending and energy going forward. But having the entire first chapter of Book 2 (great chapter too) and not the book? Argh.  

I will be watching out for that book next. 

A definite winner for lovers of urban fantasy and these authors.

Witchwolf series:

  • Witchwolf #1
  • Word, Nerds, & Werecats #2 – coming early 2026 – chapter 1 included in the first book. ❤️

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://a.coWitchwolf – Kindle edition by Burns, Sam, Fawkes, W.M.. Romance …

Blurb 

Dakota Morris has decided it’s time he lost that pesky virginity.

He’s a college graduate, and he’s tired of being a virgin. So he goes out to a club his friends don’t frequent, and picks up the hottest man he’s ever seen. It’s truly a night to remember . . . until he walks into the boardroom for his new job the next morning and wishes he could forget it, because his hot pick-up is also his new boss and CEO, Ajax Fyse.

The fact that he unknowingly slept with his newest employee is the least of Jax’s problems right now. Not only is he trying to navigate a merger with a mage family who disdains werewolves as beasts, it turns out the mage he took home last night didn’t even believe magic existed till this morning.

This morning, when his magic abilities manifested.

Now, Dakota’s stapler is flying across the room, and Jax has landed himself in the position of ushering his gorgeous new hire into the realm of magic. If only sleeping with a werewolf wouldn’t ruin Dakota’s reputation among other mages . . .

  • Publication date: May 1, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 253 pages

Review: SOS Hotel: End of the Road (SOS Hotel #10) by Adam Vex and Ariana Nash

Rating: 5🌈

Welp, it’s finally here! The end of the road and the insane finale for our beloved triad of paranormal lovers, Adam, Fancy Fangs aka Victor , and the ever fabulous Zee! 

This story has everything! Road trips gone wrong, supernatural mobsters, Miami because, you know, Florida, sex, music, crazed family stuff, Florida, frogs, drama, dragons, frogs!  

Florida. 

And of course, finally, very importantly, a happy ending for our beloved otherworldly throuple. 

It’s a veritable kitchen sink of storylines, events, weirdly funny characters and makes for a celebration of a send off. 

Love it and them! Been a great ride!

Cover design by Ariana Nash 

SOS Hotel:

  • For a Supernaturally Safe Stay #1
  • Friendly Sanctuary for the Fiendishly Fabulous #2
  • Sleep with Us #3 
  • Great Service from Top to Bottom #4
  • No Rest for the Wicked #5 
  • Ho, Ho, No #5.5
  • Luxury To Die For #6
  • Your Final Resting Place #7 -ends this sequence of events.
  • On The Road #8 – starts a mini-trilogy 
  • Icy Reception #9 
  • End of the Road #10 – finale 

Holiday release!

 SOS HOTEL: Ho, Ho, No by Adam Vex, Ariana Nash❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Buy link

        SOS HOTEL: End of the Road

    

Blurb 

It’s the end! Again.

Being on the road has been fun an’ all (no, it hasn’t). Van life is awesome (it sucks, there’s no room for my fabulousness). But all good things must end, according to Fancy Fangs. He’s wrong. Good things should last forever.

Just so long as me, Victor and Adam don’t end, right?

So after we solved a burly werewolf murder, got ourselves mixed up with an evil luxury hotel, we’re now in Florida! Sun, sea, and… the troll mafia, a trap we walked right into, and did I mention… THERE’S F*CKING FROGS HERE?!

We all gonna die.

SOS HOTEL 10: End of the Road, is the end of the road for our hotel threesome. If you’ve read all nine previous books, you’d be silly not to read this one, the last ever one – for real this time. Our terrible trio are more powerful than ever, but so is Adam’s wicked brother. The epic showdown is here.

  • Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 23, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 212 pages
  • Book 10 of 10: SOS Hotel

Review:  Stay in Your Lane! By Cari Z and L.A. Witt

Rating: 4.25🌈

Stay in Your Lane! By Cari Z and L.A. Witt is a terrific suspense action packed thrill ride of a contemporary romance.  Full of incredible characters, great animals sidekicks like Steve the Piranha, and hilariously crafted but vividly executed locations like the Waffles, this is a highly entertaining novel.

The characters are just amazing. Each with their own issue-based families and unique personalities. Everett Mulligan works with his family in the Mulligan Funeral Home. They are a troubled family and Everett, the youngest bears the brunt of the worst of the family’s dysfunctional relationship. 

Kyle’s comes from a law enforcement family, a tradition he veered away from into a company and job as a crime scene cleaner.  It’s not just the fact he’s stepping away from the family career but them as well. 

They are so well defined and beautifully crafted as characters, each with distinctive qualities that endear to us and each other. 

The case that brings them together is one that looks simple but becomes realistically complicated and horrifying in the implications for a larger scenario as they investigate.

It’s a very complex and well plotted case. Both emotionally and psychologically.

The families are drawn into the process too. And here is where it’s both well written and then, at the end, dropped. 

While one family is brought together, the other side, the one with the most family members in upheaval, is left without resolution. Especially Everett’s dysfunctional relationship with his father.  

With such a strong narrative in every other aspect of the story, I’m surprised that this element was left unexplored. 

A terrific story and a definite recommendation. 

Buy link 

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comStay in Your Lane! – Kindle edition by Z, Cari, Witt, L.A.. Romance …

Blurb 

The tasks are simple. Everett Mulligan is there to collect the body. Kyle Bowman is there to clean up the scene. Easy peasy. Get in, get out, get gone.

But Everett, for all he can be on another planet with fourteen tabs open in his brain, isn’t stupid like the cops think he is. Something about this death scene isn’t sitting right, and he’s going to figure it out. Bonus? He gets to team up with the adorkable crime-scene cleanup guy to solve the mystery.

Kyle, ever the thorough and detail-oriented cleaner, can’t ignore the scene’s irregularities either. He also can’t ignore the seriously attractive himbo from the mortuary who insists they should work together to solve what the cops insist isn’t a crime. Especially when that himbo is also enamored with Kyle’s cats and fiercely determined to make friends with his cranky piranha, Steve.

There’s a reason this death isn’t being treated as a homicide, though, and there are people who are very motivated to keep it that way.

And they’ll do whatever it takes to keep the pair of amateur sleuths from uncovering the truth.

  • Publisher: GallagherWitt Publishing LLC (March 26, 2025)
  • Publication date: March 26, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 290 pages

Review: Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele

Rating: 4🌈

I picked up Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele because I enjoy this author’s work and I was intrigued by the description of the story. 

I haven’t read any of the books in the series but it wasn’t necessary to read and enjoy this contemporary romance. 

The characters are well written, the story is engaging and the romance develops beautifully, with the background factoring in so it reads less like a instant love but more like a real life affection that is growing stronger between two men. 

The ending did feel a bit rushed which was a shame because the rest of the story is so good with the storyline about Jasper Ryan’s charity, his intimate connection and interactions with the kids that come through his programs, and Beckett Shaw’s relationship to him and his passion for these kids as well. 

That’s well written and they really could have done with a longer story.

Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5) by Arden Steele is a terrific read and the couple is one who will make your day as they discover their own HEA. 

A definite winner. 

“Cover Design by Black Butterfly Design”

+One Series:

One Good Thing #1

Ex-Boyfriend Material #2

Mr. Big Shot #3

Bad Habits #4

Fake It Til You Break It #5

Buy link 

        Fake It Til You Break It (+One Book 5)

    

Blurb 

Jasper Ryan has spent his entire life faking it. He smiles on cue, nods when expected, and endures all the banal small talk. It’s exhausting, and without his favorite plus-one, he’s flailing. Worse, since Project SafeHouse depends on donations from the city’s elite, if he doesn’t get it together soon, his social standing won’t be the only thing on shaky ground.

Reluctantly, he turns to +One. All he needed was a buffer. What he gets is Beckett Shaw.

Adept at navigating the nuances of social etiquette, Beckett knows when to blend in and when to stand out. But none of the usual rules apply when it comes to Jasper. Shy, anxious, too polite for his own good—the guy is a walking disaster wrapped in cashmere. And while he’s comfortable being a hired shield, the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to remember that’s all he is.

It was supposed to be simple. It wasn’t supposed to feel like this. But every touch lingers, every glance sparks, and now, pretending is no longer an option.

Because if Beckett has his way? 

Jasper won’t have to fake a damn thing.

  • Publisher: Peccavi Press (April 24, 2025)
  • Publication date: April 24, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 146 pages