Review: The Christmas Tenor (Laurel Holidays #3) by V. L. Locey

Rating: 4.5 🌈⛄️

My holiday reading continues with V.L. Locey’s The Christmas Tenor, the 3rd novel in her Laurel Holidays series, each a standalone story.

The Christmas Tenor is a very sweet, sexy holiday romance between a older, withdrawn widower and a young confident singer,. The older man is Cabriolet Vermat who withdrew from everyone and everything following the death of his famous actor husband from cancer . The exceptions being his twin brother and his incredibly successful business, Cabriolet Chauffeur Services and the people who help him run it.

Cabriolet and his twin brother, Pierre, are incredible characters. Indeed, it’s actually hard to separate them I. My mind. Not because of their personalities, because those are quite distinct! But because the author has done such a fabulous job of creating such a tight emotionally deep close bond between these brothers that , even for them, to be separated feels wrong.

From the ages old banter that flows between them to the ability to hurt as well, this brotherly dynamic (and Pierre’s flare with his wardrobe) was as popular with me as was the main romance. Adore these brothers…and now Pierre needs a true love FYI!

Those two are dealing with so many compelling issues. There’s Cabriolet’s inability to move past his husband’s death. Pierre’s inability to accept their mother’s rejection of their gayness and essential abandonment. Age has nothing to do with loss and pain and love.

This is handled so beautifully.

Julian Baez is also a fascinating, well defined character. Younger, decisive about his goals for himself and his needs, especially what they consist in a relationship, Jules is a dynamic, sexy personality. Who likes older black men. He’s extremely clear on why that is, his expectations, and the need for someone like that in his life. While making it less like a PowerPoint presentation and more a reasonable life choice.

I loved Jules too. Maybe not with the adoration I have for Cabriolet and Pierre but it’s definitely there. They are a great match. Locey makes us see the chemistry and get how it works for them both.

The only reason it’s a smidge under 5 🌈 is I felt that ending was a bit rushed. It went from Cab slowly making one decision, to one change, then another, then another. That may be how it works in the mucin world but I didn’t think how It showed Jules handled it was in keeping with the character “who was a take charge “ of his future sort.

So I thought there was a bit of fumbling there at the end to get them where the author needed them to go.

However, that’s a slight issue. The epilogue is wonderful and the journey to get there overwhelmingly heartwarming and sweet.

I really enjoyed this. I think you will too. Add it to your TBR holiday list. I’m highly recommending this!

Laurel Holidays series:

https://www.goodreads.com › seriesLaurel Holidays Series by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

A trip that he thought would bring him only pain is about to present him with the greatest gift of all.

For three years now, Cabriolet Vermat has put off, wiggled out of, and outright lied to get out of making this dreaded trip east. The owner of Cabriolet Chauffeur Services in Los Angeles has avoided the yearly invitation to the small town of White Bridge, New York, to speak at their alumni winter gathering but this year they’ve outfoxed him. They’re throwing a dinner to honor his late partner’s dedication to his alma mater and have asked Cab to speak. This time he has to go no matter how much pain it will stir up. Arriving in the picturesque small town beside one of the Finger Lakes, Cab is treated to a special performance of holiday songs and there he sees Julian Gabriel Baez for the first time.
The young singer captivates him immediately, and he finds himself seeking out the much younger man after the performance. The pull he feels toward Jules is unlike anything he’s felt since he met his partner years ago. Confusion and desire war within him, but the outgoing young tenor wins him over with his engaging smile and kind heart. A two-day trip soon turns into an extended holiday vacation. Cab worries that the magic of Christmas will quickly fizzle out and he’ll be alone once more. Or will this festive season bestow a blessing of the heart upon a man who thought he would never love again?

The Christmas Tenor is a standalone small-town gay Christmas romance with a beautiful May-December relationship, a lonely widower, a rising opera star, loving families, and plenty of holiday joy.

Review: The Holiday List (Script Club #4) by Lane Hayes

Rating: 3.25🌈

The Holiday List is the fourth and final book in Lane Hayes Script Club series, built around a group of nerd scientists who live and work together. They form a club that does odd jobs, each becomes a focus of a book as well as one of the scientists who end up with their HEA.

This was a cute story. Chet was someone new to the house and therefore not a person we’ve grown to love as we had all the others. He was just as adorably quirky and Hayes gave him a suitable family and background.

Chet really shown with his interactions with Lincoln, the child he was helping with his science projects. I really wished this story had explored that dynamic further, including Sam into it. Because that would have elevated this story into something special, especially at the holidays.

As it is, we get a “as told” sort of narrative for their developing relationship. As in Chet and Linc did this , then they performed that… etc.

It did not fill in for the missing lively personal warmth and displays of developing affection the other scenes made apparent.

I liked the characters. That of Sam, the divorced father with his issues of insecurities and background were well done. Also his chemistry with the adorable Chet was clear.

But, I felt there could have been more scenes , maybe of them decorating Sam’s house, since that was a big element, anything that had them actually talking and establishing a relationship (one we see happening).

The numerous sex scenes are hot and well, sexy. However relationship and character growth needs to be given equal page time for everything to flourish. Including our interest in the couple.

They have a very sweet ending and lovely epilogue. It puts a happy ending to the book and series.

While not my fav in this series, it’s cute. And if you’re a fan, it’s a nice way to say goodbye.

Synopsis:

The Mars maestro, the single dad, and a wish list…

Chet-

Boy, am I lucky! Finding a living situation with a houseful of passionate scientists just before the holidays is ideal in every possible way. As the newest member of the Script Club, I feel it’s important to step up and tackle the to-do list my friends would prefer to avoid. Item one, address the tutoring request from the neighborhood-hottie-slash-single-dad on the next block. I’ve got this!

Or do I?

Handsome, older, sporty gentlemen intimidate me. And Mr. McSwoony doesn’t like the holidays. This may be a daunting task.

Sam-

What do you do when a new neighbor shows up on your doorstep with cookies and a wacky plan to spread holiday cheer? I don’t need cheer, but I could use help with some of the experiments my son wants to try. I know football, not science. Hopefully, I can talk Chet into a mutually beneficial trade. The only snag is that I’m seriously attracted to my local Mars expert. He’s unintentionally charming…in the very best way.

Don’t quote me, but maybe this holiday elf with thick glasses and a mile-long list might be exactly what I need.

The Holiday List is an MM bisexual, geek/jock romance with a holiday twist featuring a lovable scientist and a single dad who’s probably on the naughty list!

The Script Club Series:

Following the Rules #1

Rules of Play #2

The Jock Script #3

The Holiday List #4

THE HOLIDAY LIST

Review: The Cuckoo’s Call by Lily Morton

Rating: 5 🌈

I’m not sure why this sat a few days on my shelf before I got to it because it has to be one of my favorite romances yet this year.

Lily Morton really ticked every box for me here on contemporary romances and then further with not one but two love letters to Majorca and Venice. These settings are clearly places the author is familiar with and loves. And it shows in each warmly described location and all the finely etched details. The lagoons of Venice, history, the twisty roads and beaches along with local foods… all folded in with a memorable, heartwarming romance.

That Prologue! Honestly. Starting a story with a prologue almost guaranteed to make you sniffle ! Blink and you are already invested 100 percent in Wren Robert’s story, why he’s fog bound at that airport. And bereft.

Then comes the story.

And what a fantastic, romantic, grand story it is.

I laughed, cried, laughed some more… sighed a lot. And was ultimately thrilled at the ending.

Lily Morton gives us a spectacular cast of characters here.

Wren Morton, the Cuckoo of the title. The foster child forever being deposited in someone else’s “nest”, but who grew up without self pity, self-sufficient, kind, and with a love for learning. How I fell deeply in love with this character.

Mateo Rossi, extremely wealthy hotelier, bored, multidimensional. Of an ancient Venice family as well as one in Majorca. A man of divided hearts. Watching Mateo interact with Wren, changing as he reveals more of his real self? Amazing.

While the story is told mostly from Wren’s perspective, every now and then we get Mateo’s pov, just when it’s needed. To see Wren outside of how he sees himself. I grew to anticipate those!

The other characters like Mateo’s mother and grandfather are people that are so well developed that I felt I just didn’t get enough of them. Same about Alfie and a certain glass artist.

I really hope to see a sequel to this story.

The Cuckoo’s Call by Lily Morton is such a remarkable romance that I felt 5 stars wasn’t nearly enough.

I’m highly recommending it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Synopsis:

Can a summer romance last forever?

Wren Roberts thought he’d found his fairy tale when he met Mateo Rossi on holiday in Majorca. The wealthy and successful older man swept him off his feet, and before he knew it, he’d thrown caution to the wind and was living in Mateo’s waterside apartment in Venice. It’s a far cry from his harsh upbringing and crummy flat in London.

But as the summer turns to autumn, cracks begin to show. Mateo’s family aren’t welcoming, and there doesn’t seem to be a place for Wren in Mateo’s world. He could have coped with all of that, but Mateo himself seems like a different person away from the sunshine island.

Should Wren have been more cautious in riding off into the sunset when he wasn’t sure what lay over the horizon?

From bestselling author Lily Morton comes a romance about two men who find that sometimes happily ever after doesn’t end there.

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Cuckoo’s Call by Lily Morton – Goodreads

Review: Spellbound (Fallen Messengers #2 by Ava Marie Salinger

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Ah, time for that all important second book in a series review. So many questions and weighted hopes hangs on this follow up novel if the author is continuing an overall series arc.

Is there continuity and character growth? Does it flow somehow out from the events of the first book? Does it empower not only the characters but our imagination in the same manner the original launches us into this journey?

Hmmm, with Spellbound, the answers are a bit mixed.

Let’s tackle them one by one.

Plots.

The storyline that takes up the majority of this novel is wonderful. It contains so much depth and emotional layering that I expected. There’s a serious mother/daughter flawed relationship built on lies, love, and a great tragedy. Eden, the daughter is so relatable in her anger, pain, and apparent maternal abandonment. Her rage is both poignant and deeply frightening. We get it. This aspect of the novel, and everything that surrounds Eden is absolutely terrific. With an exception.

Eden is a high school student. At the end of this story, she’s found herself in a serious permanent as in forever relationship. With a ancient being. Now while we are all smacking our heads over that flag, I will say the author has several characters bring up the illegality of that issue as well as the idea that she’s not emotionally ready. Ok good.

But there’s no real resolution. So perhaps that’s to be addressed in upcoming novels but Eden clearly deserves a more defined finish here. She’s a marvelous character and so is this entire element of the arc.

Which brings me to

Series Arc plots .

As best I can tell, Salinger is slowly adding bits of pieces to her overall arc mosaic much like a 1.000 piece table puzzle . You fit a bit in here, several snap in together there. So hopefully, Eden and her new Dryad Prince are part of the huge battle group that will be needed to fight the Evil whoever who is trying to do whatever. Still not a clue. But Salinger’s strengths are in her ingenious storylines and layerings. She knows how to build a suspenseful scene, and then top it off with high action.

However , this didn’t move the overall arc along hugely. Did confirm new information about our main characters though.

That brings us to the aspect of characterization. What I thought worked and, frankly, what I felt didn’t.

Eden’s group and storyline. Those characters were new , including her BFF Lois and her family. All the beings that gravitated around Eden and her drama? They really worked as far as realistic emotional scenes and reactions to her dilemma. Again great job.

But, unfortunately, in what should be solid, continuing .character growth for Cassius and Morgan, our main couple and the series biggest heart as well as mystery? It felt as though we got a stripping off of layers instead of a depth of dimension.

In the first story, we saw the ages of wisdom, the compassion and pain coming through for Cassius. Now he’s a pouty, insecure lovesick being? What happened to the serious character of the other novel? He seems to have vanished, replaced by a boyfriend of Morgan’s. Who occasionally transforms into something cool. Morgan too is undergoing a bit of a metamorphosis, although into what exactly is anyone’s guess. But the gravity of these downright elemental or idk other worldly transformations seems to be missing.

Idk maybe they should actually stop having sex for a mo’ and figure out if this pertains to their missing memories, and maybe even the bad guy! Good grief.

Definitely not the same beings I liked in book one. They need to regain their gravitas, their focus, and personalities.

Almost missing main character. You all know how I feel about this. Here it’s Loki the magical cat, a main player in book one and the series arc. He lives with Cassius now. When do we see and here about him here? When the book is about 74% complete. Then Loki is mentioned as part of the growing mystery so , yes, he has to be trotted out in one scene so everyone sees he’s still around. That’s it. Done. He disappears again back into the apartment not to be mentioned again. It fed or whatever. So Loki could have starved because he’s not seen or mentioned even when they are back in the apartment. A huge change from book one when he’s a constant presence, weaving catlike around the feet or in their laps. SMH. Continuity and consistency!

All of which finally brings me to my last bit of griping. Since I had time to notice all the above, then the issues I had with the repetition of adjectives and certain author’s fondness of terms definitely continues on here.

Pls, someone either tell her about how to find and replace a word within a document, Thesauruses our old friend , (and edit) or point a great editor her way.

We are back to muscles jumping in every character’s face and often. Adrianne is saying things “leadenly”again. I pity poor Adrianne. No sex and the worst lines. A couple of female characters always “smile softly “.

There’s also a lot of “she___fill in the name___snarled,” “so and so hissed”,

Lots of hissing and no they aren’t snake shifters.

Also “growling “. Cedric growled. But it could have been and usually is another.

Plus a host of clenched whatever… jaw, fist… whatever can be clenched.

You get the idea. Salinger once she uses a word or term in a certain manner, it stays used. To the detriment of the story. And the reader’s, at least this reader’s concentration.

And that’s a shame, because the plots? Both one the book and overall series arc scale are imaginative and layered. They have grabbed my attention and the potential for a really great series shows everywhere….

But there’s some definite tidying up to be done. Both in the major characters personalities and language. I look forward to see what book three brings.

High marks mostly for Eden and her journey.

Fallen Messenger series:

Unbound #0.5

Fractured Souls #1

Spellbound #2

Edge Lines #3

Oathbreaker #4

Synopsis:

Can Cassius and Morgan overcome an elusive enemy and save a young girl’s life?

Eden Monroe has spent her entire existence believing she has no magic. Shunned by her mother Brianna and the magical bureau Hexa, she runs away from home when she is forced to embrace a future she never chose, only to fall into the hands of ghastly monsters from the Nine Hells. After being rescued by a mysterious Dryad with secrets of his own, Eden realizes there is more to her past and future than she could ever have imagined.

When San Francisco PD asks Argonaut to assist them in solving a series of strange bank robberies, Cassius Black and Morgan King uncover a disturbing plot that points to an unknown artifact hidden somewhere in the city. Their investigation soon has them crossing paths with a desperate Brianna, who seeks their help in finding her missing daughter. When the witch reveals the shocking circumstances surrounding her daughter’s birth as well as the deadly magic sealed inside the young girl’s body, the Argonaut agents realize their case is linked to Eden and the weapon of devastating power the bank robbers are after.

Can Cassius and Morgan defeat the malevolent organization behind it all and save Eden from her cursed fate? Or will the young girl suffer a destiny worse than death itself?

Spellbound is the second novel in the gay urban fantasy romance series Fallen Messengers. If you like your paranormal adventures full of action, magic, snark, and a host of steamy angels and demons, then you’re not going to want to miss this jaw-dropping, fun-filled ride!

Spellbound

Review: Dearest Malachi Keogh (Dearest Milton James #1.5) by N.R. Walker

Rating: 4.75 🌈

Dearest Malachi Keogh is a wonderful, romantic Christmas sequel to that incredible heartwarming novel Dearest Milton James. That story is easily in my top ten contemporary romances this year, maybe top five as it ticks so many of my emotional narrative boxes.

Dearest Malachi Keogh picks up four years later with Julian Pollard and Malachi Keogh a happily established couple, living together with a rescue cat, and with families content with their relationship.

Also back and intact is our quirky, deeply endearing ,or in Paul’s case weirdly fascinating, small family like staff at the Dead Letters Department at the Mail Office. What a great lot they are! The more I see of them the more of them I want to see! Love each and every one!

Once more the use of a letter mystery is employed here, this time by Julian himself. What we get is a beautiful blend of emotions, poetry, mystery, and joint efforts by everyone! All towards one romantic goal for Malachi and Julian.

My only thoughts here are that I wish the author had somehow utilized the whole Dearest Malachi to even greater effect.

I remember all those Dearest Milton James, as will anyone who read that story and the effect they had on me as well as the characters who read them. And I feel we had just gotten started before it was over. I wanted more, something longer, but it certainly was deeply heartfelt .

“Merry Christmas, my love” is sigh worthy.

This was a lovely, happy, wonderful and, yes, sexy, Christmas sequel to a amazing contemporary romance.

It’s really not a standalone story but needs to be read in tandem with the first I’ve referenced throughout this review.

Haven’t read that one? You’re in for a huge treat! Grab up both stories and read one right after the other.

Read the first? Then you’ll love this! It’s the HEA you’ve been waiting for. Although NR Walker shouldn’t be surprised if people start crying out for Malachi and Julian’s wedding. There’s got to be some missing invitations tie in.

And yes to the author for that rescue cat. Leaving that neighbors cat behind bothered me and this was a great solution. I know I know. You can’t go about swiping other peoples cats but still….

Ty. Extra point for that cat.

Yes, I’m highly recommending this.

Dearest Milton James series:

Dearest Milton James #1

Dearest Malachi Keogh #1.5

Synopsis:

Julian Pollard never believed in love at first sight. That was until he met Malachi Keogh. Well, maybe it wasn’t love at first sight, but it sure was something.

Julian had forgotten how to live, how to be happy, and Malachi changed all that. Now together for four years, Julian wants to give Malachi a Christmas he’ll never forget.

The only problem is, Christmas at a mail distribution centre is the busiest time of the year. It just might take the whole team to make it happen.

Dearest Malachi Keogh is a 13,000-word short story.

Dearest Malachi Keogh

Review: Black Tie (Overtime #3,5) by V.L.Locey

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Black Tie is that lovely macaroon, light, colorful, sweet, a perfect bite! Here the novella is a delightful send off to the Overtime series by giving Jackie Blue and Martin their intimate family wedding and a goodbye to everyone as they sail off, or in this case fly off to their honeymoon and new life together.

There’s nothing especially angst filled, no real drama, just a final look at the characters, as families and friends gather for a simple, quick ceremony and a flurry of laughter as everyone waves them off.

It’s a closure and a love letter by the author to fans of these men and at least two series.

I happen to love macaroons and think this was charming.

If you’re a fan of this series, you will too.

Synopsis:

Falling in love was easy. Saying ‘I do’ is proving to be the tricky part.

Now that he’s lived with the man of his dreams for close to two years, Jackie Blue Kalinski is finally ready to tie the knot. It’s not that he didn’t want to walk down the aisle sooner, but life kept putting obstacles in the way of the nuptials. A big move from Boston to Brooklyn, changing colleges, family being family, and juggling school while working in New York’s fashion district have stifled wedding plans. Add in that Martin seems to be speeding headlong into a midlife crisis, and it’s no wonder it’s taken them this long to get things moving. But now that the final stitches have been made on the wedding outfits, it’s full steam ahead to that happily ever after

Overtime Series complete:

Rebound #1

Final Shot #2

Draw #3

Black Tie #3.5 – a Overtime novella

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsBlack Tie – An Overtime Novella (Overtime #3.5) by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

Review: Forget-Me-Not by V.L Locey

Rating: 3.5 🌈

This is just an adorable holiday hockey romance with just the right touch of nerd romance.

We have gamers, a cute ferret, a cuddly florist in his forties yearning for love, and a outright gorgeous younger hockey player who just so happens to be playing the online RPG game our florist is.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and a team event that suddenly is in need of arrangements. Voila! Meet cute and a sweet and engaging story that follows.

It’s short and definitely a HFN but you can see them gaming happily into the future. They are a sweet and absolutely compatible couple.

I could wish for a sequel and another holiday with this couple in mind. Need a quick sweet romance?

Check this out. It’s lovely.

Synopsis:

Is it possible that the soft smile and furtive looks from Bailey are flirtatious, or is Hadley just living in a floral fantasy world?

It was supposed to be just another day in the life of Hadley Burton.

Wake up alone, go to work at his flower shop, go home, eat a frozen dinner, play his favorite online fantasy game, go to bed. Alone. So when his shop gets a frantic call from a harried guy from the Albany Beavers hockey team, looking for flowers for the annual Mother’s Trip wrap-up dinner, he’s stunned and thrilled. Working like a madman, Hadley and his lone employee burn the midnight oil and arrive at the arena just in time to place the centerpieces and meet a few of the players.

Thinking that this business boon was the best thing that could happen to him, he’s not at all ready to run into Bailey Rust, the considerably younger phenom forward of the Beavers. Nor is he prepared to discover that Bailey is a huge gamer and is the prettiest thing he has seen in years. After an hour spent talking gaming, the two go their separate ways. Until Bailey shows up at the flower shop the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsForget Me Not by V.L. Locey – Goodreads

Age gap, meet cute, holiday romance, gamers, m/m hockey romance, nerd/jock

Review: Christmas Lane (Lighthouse Bay #1) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5 🌈

As we head into November, it’s time for the Holiday stories (and movies) to start being released.

And for those of us who love to read them (and watch them) to start our holiday feasting!

First up for me was the first in this adorable Amy Aislin Christmas series Lighthouse Bay. Currently running at two books, both holiday novels, it’s a great way to dive into your seasonal reading.

Christmas Lane is a heartwarming age gap, friends to lovers romance set in the appropriately snowy New England (and Hallmarky) town getting ready for its Christmas parade! It doesn’t get more holidayish ( I’m on a roll with yes, those absolutely should be words thing) then that.

Zach Greenfeld’s helping out his sister in the family’s, now hers, store while figuring out his next step. Turns out he gets roped into running the town’s parade, since event planning is his specialty, and ends up next to his forever crush.

Holland Stone, former teacher, now exclusive dollhouse maker and float designer … of his own. And Zach’s crush.

The slow burn romance between Zach and Holland occurs through a parade day countdown format which I love. Day by day as we get closer to the actual parade, the men grow closer through planning the parade, the details of each float, the disasters the arise, the community as it works together and the overall sense of achievement and love that pervades this story.

Everyone and everything has such warmth and depth to it. It may all be covered with the rosy glow of Christmas but by the end there’s no place or town and with no couple you’d rather be spending your time with.

Christmas Lane is charming, heartwarming and romantic. Just a marvelous way to start your holiday reading. I highly recommending it.

Lighthouse Bay series:

Christmas Lane #1

Gingerbread Mistletoe #2

Synopsis:

It’s recent college graduate Zach Greenfeld’s favorite time of the year and he’s just received a temporary gig planning Lighthouse Bay’s Christmas parade. Not only does it speak to his penchant for organization, it also puts him face to face on a daily basis with his unrequited crush–Holland Stone. But his new job starts off in disaster when the most important float–Santa’s sleigh–gets damaged.

Holland needs to win the Lighthouse Bay Christmas parade float competition in order to grow his new dollhouse-making business. The prize is an article in a major city newspaper, and nothing beats free advertising. Except, eager to help the adorable parade organizer, he volunteers to help fix Santa’s sleigh, leaving no time to work on his own float, and putting his prize at risk.

Damaged floats, snowstorms, and a last-minute parade emergency force Zach and Holland closer than ever. All they need is a little bit of Christmas magic to help them realize they belong together.

Christmas Lane is a sweet, May/December, small-town Christmas romance with an HEA!

Christmas Lane (Lighthouse Bay, #1)

Review: Risking the Shot (Stick Side #4) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5 🌈

It’s officially hockey season again and I’d thought I’d celebrate by reviewing a hockey romance by a favorite author who loves this sport and it’s athletes as much as I do.

This sport seems to attract wonderful writers who are just as obsessed by its fast paced athleticism and unbelievable drama on ice as it’s gorgeous international teams of talented, intense athletes.

Lucky us, the readers!

Risking the Shot is the fourth story in Aislin’s Side Stick series, a fantastic group of hockey romances if you aren’t familiar with it yet. Mostly centered around a certain group of LGBTG players in various stages of coming out, finding love, and what the ramifications are for their careers in the NHL, it’s a great and varied journey.

Taylor “Tay” Cunningham, a forward for Toronto is bisexual and at ease with his sexuality. However, he’s ready to come to come out to the public,tired of hiding his truth. It’s a matter of timing. There’s his team’s run for the playoffs, his college courses, and then the new guy he’s seriously crushing on, the single dad from the Foundation.

Tay is such a likable, well rounded character. Easy to picture, so relatable and adorable. The issues he has that become clear? They are ones people see in other families and can connect to.

The man he’s crushing on? Single dad and part-time baker Dakota Cotton, brother to another NHL player in Burlington ( we will see him later). Dakota comes with a realistic and absolutely adorable 4 year old boy, Andy.

The relationship and work the men do on themselves, the trust issues, communication channels, goals for themselves and as a couple… we watch it all get worked through with so much love and care. With a great amount of very hot sex thrown in. Fans self. Plus the added joy of a growing family dynamics with Andy who has his own abandonment issues because of his mother.

I love this little family group so much.

The wonderful addition of the quirky, fascinating characters flowing around them is just that depth of storytelling that gives this series that spice and oomph to make it stand out.

I’m really not ready for book 5 to roll out, not if it means an end to another hockey series. Sigh. I mean the season just got started.

Yes I’m highly recommending this and the series. Start reading in the order they are written. And enjoy!

On an aside note. If you love scotch, this is also a wonderful tour through some of the best scotch brands out there. I’m a scotch person myself and while the author listed many I was familiar with and had tasted, she had some that were complete unknowns and had me making notes. Ty, Amy Aislin!

Synopsis:

Time for distractions? Hardly.

A chance at making the playoffs? It’s a dream for NHL forward Taylor Cunningham that just might come true. If he can keep his eyes on the ball—ahem, puck. And study for midterms. Dakota Cotton, eleven years his senior, isn’t just a distraction, though—he’s everything Tay’s ever wanted.

Dakota has no interest in introducing someone who might not stick around to his four-year-old son. Been there, done that, with the divorce to prove it. But there’s something about Tay that hits all of the right buttons and has him wanting to take a chance.

As things heat up between them, and the pressure to succeed hits an all-time high, will they risk a shot at happiness or choke?

Side Stick series:

On the Ice #1

Christmas On the Ice #1.5

A Valentines Trade #1.7

The Nature of the Game #2

The Nature of Christmas #2.5

Shots on Goal #3

Risking the Shot #4

Calder & Lacroix #4.1

Two-Man Team #5

-Fifth and final story to come

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsRisking the Shot (Stick Side #4) by Amy Aislin – Goodreads

Review: Stud (Four Bears Construction #5) by K.M. Neuhold

Rating: 5 🌈

Stud, the fifth novel in the Four Bears Construction series, is a great example why one should read these stories in the order they were written.

Over the past four novels and romances, we’ve watched the West and Sawyer drama.

Or non drama. Because, although a stone could tell how much in love West has been with the bar owner since the first time they met, Sawyer has firmly kept West in the friend zone, if that. Book after book, glances, even a trip to Hawaii which we get caught up on here, we have seen these two men in serious denial/want about each other.

But in Stud, everything changes. And per this series,the swing in dynamics starts off hilariously. Omg, China dolls! Nope, no spoilers.

West , the nephew of Dare’s (Stone’s mechanic husband),has been a great character throughout the series. He’s been supportive, funny, all the while going through his own amount of personal growth as a young man and craftsman. He’s amazing. So I’ve been waiting for him to get his man and HEA.

Neuhold not only obliges with a funny, warm-hearted romance but an unexpected reunion that gives us all a wonderful closure.

Sawyer has been a peripheral character , one we see at Wooley’s, the bar he inherited from Gus , it’s previous owner, snd the gangs favorite hangout.

In Stud, Sawyer’s past , as astonishingly does Gus’s in a remarkably poignant story element, comes into focus. We see exactly why he’s held West at a distance for so long despite his feelings, and the turmoil inside him when West declares he’s going to start dating.

That declaration jumpstarts Sawyer and his mixed up heart and mind on a strange, funny and quite wonderful path to HEA with West , a restored Victorian, and a bunch of feathered kids. Oh my.

One element I’ve adored in each book has been the great pet/animal(s) per couple. I have sometimes forgotten to mention it. Shame on me because it’s a terrific part of each story and couple.

So here’s the list so far….

Four Bears Construction series animals:

🔵Caulky #1: Cole and Ren’s bees

🔵Nailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog

🔵Hardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog

🔵Screwed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python

🔵Stud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing

🔵Stripped #6, Miller and Dem,

Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes review to come. Yes tortoises!

🔵Drilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log… been waiting to see a cat tbh. Review to come…

How do you not love a series that folds in such great animals along with sensitive and funny romances?

That’s easy to answer. I do. I do love them.

Each different and great couple, each amazing path to love and HEA.

I don’t have many left. Sort of dreading saying goodbye. But not yet. A few to go.

What a wonderful, heartwarming and joy filled journey it’s been so far.

Like all the others, I hope you’re on this one with me. I highly recommend this one . Stay with me till the end .

Stud: A boss, knob, or nail head…or, you know, the hot guy who’s way too young to keep asking me out with that adorably earnest smile …

It’s been three years since West walked into my bar and asked me out for the first time. I was relieved he stopped asking after the first few “no”s and a way-too-good-to-be-real kiss. He’s fifteen years younger than I am; it can only lead to trouble.

Of course, now he’s running through people off dating apps like it’s his job and wearing these lace panties that look really unfair on someone as furry and muscular as he is, and, um…what was I talking about?

I probably shouldn’t sabotage his dates, but I’m only human. I might not be ready to admit that I want him, but I’m definitely not ready to let anyone else have him either.

He’s too perfect, too hot, and I am in way too much trouble…

*** Stud is a friends-to-lovers, construction-worker-in-panties, omg-so-much-swoon story that happens to be the fifth book in the Four Bears Construction Series. Every book in this series CAN be read as a stand alone, but they’re a lot more fun together!

Stud

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