Tag: first in a series

Review: Wormwood Summer (San Amaro Investigations #1) by Kai Butler

Rating: 4.5 🌈

Fast upon the heels of my discovery of Ariana Nash and her urban fantasy series, I’ve stumbled across another story and urban fantasy series that’s threatened to have the very same effect upon me.

It’s straight away captivating me with its expanding universe, a mixture of things modern and mythic as well as swelling cast of characters to engage both heart and mind.

That’s Wormwood Summer

(San Amaro Investigations #1)

by Kai Butler . So far I’ve found 5 stories, releases and intended to be published (more on the later) and my investment in this series is all but cemented by the end of the story.

Apparently I love to smack myself in the head repeatedly because this also look to be fitting the same pattern as that other series, although I’ll just have to wait to February for book 3.

No, Butler has a way of starting with already complex characters and a baseline twisty storyline and then proceeds to up the game by leading us all through ever increasing labyrinthine corridors, peeling back layers to characters histories and personalities along the way.

I truly love books like that. This has witches, alchemists, werewolves, dragons, cops, forensics, zombies, murder, politics, high mystery and yes romance. And oh, yes, found families.

And it works so beautifully and smoothly as the angst, bewilderment, anxiety, and body count add up.

Parker Ferro, foster kid, part Fae, PI, down on his luck , soon to be evicted , with more problems than he wants to face is such an incredible character. He establishes himself as someone worthy of your compassion and commitment immediately,. Parker then goes onto grow during this tale into someone who’s strengths and new dimensions reveal him to be someone he never suspected. That steers him and his group towards a new path that will be fantastical and yes, perhaps heroic. And our hearts will be along with the ride.

Everything here , each new element offers up a springboard towards exciting new revelations and twists. All while Butler works their characters towards goals only the author is aware of.

I can’t wait to see what new beings, obligations (Fae after all), drama, and exciting adventures lie ahead.

I really need to track down those prequel books too.

Yes, I’m highly recommending this story and letting you know in advance that book 3 won’t be out until February 2022.

I can work with that. Happy reading!

San Amara Investigations Series:

◦ A Haunting at Midnight #0.5

◦ A Debt Unpaid #0.75

◦ Wormwood Summer #1

◦ A Belated Burial #1.5

◦ The Oak Wood Throne #2

◦ A Gilded Iron Blade #3 – not yet released, publication date in February 2022.

Synopsis: Parker Ferro owes the fae his life. They’ve come to collect.

When the Summer Queen summons Parker to her court, the private investigator knows there’s trouble brewing. Trapped into compliance by his past debt to the fae monarch, he’s tasked with locating a missing girl in San Amaro. Now he has to find the girl or give up his life.

Things only get more complicated when a very familiar cop asks Parker for his help on a case involving murdered magic users. With the victims completely drained of their magic, the San Amaro Police Department needs Parker’s special skill set to track down a killer. Navigating through San Amaro’s paranormal underbelly while dealing with his own past and this new case is the last thing Parker wants or needs. 

Now Parker’s stuck trying to locate a missing girl, stop a paranormal war, find a killer, and resist Detective Nicholas King’s many charms. Here’s hoping he doesn’t die trying. 

Wormwood Summer is a 107,000 word MM urban fantasy with a HFN ending.

https://www.amazon.com › Wormw…Wormwood Summer (San Amaro Investigations Book 1) Kindle Edition

Review: A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars (R’iyah Family Archives #1) by A.J. Sherwood

Rating: 5 🌈

Awesome magical fun filled sexy ride!

Not every 5 star read has to be deeply complicated or filled to the brim with characters in need of therapy.

Nopes. Sometimes you’re gifted with a 5 star ticket joy ride of an adventure journey, full of snappy on point dialog, charismatic characters to die for and full out sexy magical fun.

Yeah I needed that so bad.

I want to see it filmed, I want it in a RPG, and I’m Garen btw. I just want this anyway I can have it. And it’s book one in a series with the first story wrapping up it’s own storyline while clearly setting up a potential mystery and danger to come.

For those of us who devour fantasy, supernatural, sci-fy, anything of a mysterious and suspenseful albeit magical nature, certain elements will be telegraphing the hell out of this to you.

Wonderfully so. Much like Wicky and Nico with their light sabers! It’s wicked fun. We sort of know where the bad guys might be coṃing from but who cares! Bring them on! Our guys got this!

Plus that triad of Bel & Nico & Garen? Hot, Hot, Hot! Even if you’re not into ménage or poly relationships or even age gap romances, Sherwood has managed to make this one absolutely realistic in terms of who these men are, who they have been to each other, and how their dynamics actually complete each other in every way.

All while Sherwood uses this remarkable romance and bonding to further the adventurous, magical and wildly anticipatory tale she’s crafting along with Bel’s team. That will include the amazing Chadwick “Wicky” Santos’s, Fire Mage and his partner, Zia Garzon, rounder mage.

Each mission Bel gets called on is used to explore his background, reveal more of his talents and emerging personality. We also get the same for everyone along as part of the temporary team by mission element going on at first.

As Nico and Garen come into Bel’s world and understand not only that they work well with other MAD operatives like Wicky and Matt, they are happy and belong. To Bel. As well as once again to each other.

There’s just so many fun beings (love Grandpa, just sayin’) to meet and plain hilarious outstanding stuff here. I just curled up , grabbed a bowl of popcorn, and happily read into the night, not stopping until the book was done.

There’s a satisfying ending that sets up our guys and team with , if you’re like me who has a sneaking suspicion or three, a bad guy on the horizon and a new fight on their hands.

I can’t wait. They got this. It will be so much fun. And Grandpa has to bring back the hellhounds, right?

My happy anticipation is high!

Yes! You in need of something to make you laugh? Smile? Shake your head at characters antics and revel in their joy… at kicking ass? Love spot on dialogue?

Pick up A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars

(R’iyah Family Archives #1)

by A.J. Sherwood

Im highly recommending it.

Plus I’m with Wicky….

If “Just Fuck Me Up” isn’t a proper coffee order, then it absolutely should be, Don’t you all agree?

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsA Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars by A.J. Sherwood – Goodreads

Synopsis:

One mage, Bel Adams – needs a familiar, gun shy about being rejected by one again.

One familiar, Nico di Rossi – Army Ranger, needs a change of pace and a new purpose in life.

Plus one familiar, Garen Adan – Secret Service, needs his ex-lover Nico back.

One second chance – all for the taking.

Tags:

Mages, BOGO familiar, familiars as bodyguards, familiar bond, M/M/M, second chances, workplace romance, fated mates, magical shenanigans, Garen is part gargoyle, Bel part demon, Nico is a golden retriever in human form (though not literally), idiots in love, seriously I don’t know what to do with them, Bel loves Garen just because he wants to love him, possessive behavior, not a single degree of chill from any of them, Nico is not allowed caffeine, Nico loves swords, Wicky is his supplier, lightsaber sounds, competency kink, Garen cannot be moved, he moves when he wants to, evil cults strangely don’t clean up after themselves, absolutely no one’s surprised, Nico thinks a magically booby-trapped cave is a theme park, cuz he cray cray, Demon Grandpa is also cray cray and approve.

R’iyah Family Archives Series:

◦ A Mage’s Guide to Human Familiars

Review: Twisted Pretty Things (Shadows of London #1) by Ariana Nash

Rating: 5🌈

I have long needed another urban fantasy author (can never have too many) and now I have one. And a great new series to boot!

I stumbled upon Ariana Nash when I found this urban fantasy story, Twisted Pretty Things. It’s the first book in her Shadows of London series and it’s a grand adventure and showstopper of a stage to a series.

It has a overall series arc of maze like proportions, continually looping back onto itself, then threading through the most obscure of narrative keyholes to keep the reader’s mind throughly boggled and trying to see where this intriguing plot and deeply layered characters will lead us next.

Ah these insanely wonderful characters. All smoke and mirrors, deceptions laid upon deceptively clever and devious personalities. Just when you think you have one completely figured out, wham, there’s a complete turnaround in what you perceive in character.

I love that. Pull that emotional rug out from all of us repeatedly.

All it does is deepen our connection in an odd empathetic way to the people in front of us instead of pushing us away. We need to know more about these obviously tormented individuals and the paths that brought them here.

And the horrors that are about to come. For they are indeed coming.

All the main characters such as the cockney born John “Dom” Domenici who now, through a convoluted journey, to his boss he works for , the elegant, wealthy Alexander Kempthorne , everyone here is fascinating and evolving.

The company, Kempthorne & Co, the main jobs revolve around retrieving magical objects imbued with dangerous powers. However, nothing is even that simple, as serious as it seems.

This story is steeped in British history and culture, including some of its most brutal and painful historical eras.

The author’s talent in using just a few phrases to telegraph something wordlessly barbaric is incredible. It’s used here to great emotional impact over and over.

The characters need to be read to be appreciated. Their growth, the revelations that are sprung on you as a reader cannot be put into a review yet it’s so much a part of them and this increasingly fantastic urban fantasy tale of romance and a fight for survival.

But against what?

That’s what’s coṃing…..

I was up late finishing this story and immediately grabbed up the next in the series. It’s plain addictive.

I can see several sleepless nights ahead.

I’m absolutely recommending this author and stories.

Start here! It’s a must read!

Synopsis:

Something wicked is moving in the shadows of London…

In the underground world of glitzy illegal auctions, fast cars, and stolen magical artifacts, John “Dom” Domenici knows he’s out of his depth. But he needs the job at Kempthorne & Co like he needs to breathe. The alternative—going back to the organized crime gangs of London’s East End—is unthinkable.

So when Alexander Kempthorne, boss of Kempthorne & Co Artifact Retrieval Agency, wants him on a special case to track down an illegal artifact dealer, Dom can’t say no.

It shouldn’t matter that Kempthorne’s world is full of deadly secrets. It shouldn’t matter that the billionaire is sexy as sin, and it really shouldn’t matter how there’s an American agent stalking Dom, an American who knows more than he should about Dom’s case, including the real reason Alexander Kempthorne hired Dom.

The only thing that really matters to Dom is solving the case and finding the artifact dealer. Because there are worse things in London than a conflicted billionaire and a trigger-happy American. Something wicked is stalking London’s streets, and if Dom doesn’t stop it, its shadows will rise and consume them all.

***

Twisted Pretty Things is the first book in the all-new Shadows of London MM urban fantasy series. Action, mystery, and MM romance combine in this fast-paced adventure from the author who brought you the award-winning Silk & Steel series and the best-selling Prince’s Assassin series. Coming August 2021.

Triggering content: mention of past mental and physical abuse.

Please note the Shadows of London series is set in London and the characters are all British (so is the author). Although the series has been edited in US English for the larger US market, to include US spelling and grammar, many English slang words and spelling remain as part of the character of the work

Shadows of London series:

◦ Twisted Pretty Things #1

◦ Tide of Tricks #2

◦ Trial by Fire #3- coming May 31st, 2022 argh! The wait will kill me!

https://www.goodreads.com › showWeb resultsTwisted Pretty Things (Shadows of London, #1) by Ariana Nash | Goodreads

Review: Corruption (The Bureau #1) by Kim Fielding

Rating: 3.5 🌈

Corruption is a short story that begins a new series by Kim Fielding.

It’s supernatural with what hints to be the beginning of a complicated hurt/comfort relationship with one clearly in the Master side of a D/s Angel/demon relationship.

The characters, only loosely set here but enormously fascinating with tremendous chemistry, have most of their background still to fill in.

So does the nebulous Bureau we only see or hear pieces of.

Corruption is like receiving the tantalizing first chapter of a new novel…. And now you want more. More foundation, more of the characters history and current predicament. And future going forward.

I’ll follow the promise set down here and look forward to all the stories to come.

The Bureau series:

Corruption #1

Clay White #2

Creature #3

Chained #4

Convicted #5

Connect #6

Caroled#7

Camouflaged #8 out now

Synopsis:

Once a proud demon of the night sky who carried nightmares to humans, Tenrael has spent decades in captivity as the star attraction of a traveling carnival. He exists in miserable servitude to men who plunk down ten dollars to fulfill their dark desires.

Charles Grimes is half human, half… something else. For fifteen years he’s worked for the Bureau of Trans-Species Affairs, ridding the country of dangerous monsters. When his boss sends him to Kansas to chase a rumor about a captive demon, Charles figures it’s just another assignment. Until he meets Tenrael

https://www.goodreads.com › showCorruption / Clay White / Creature by Kim Fielding – Goodreads

Review: Terrible Things (Star Shadow #1) by Beth Bolden

Rating: 4.5🌈

Terrible Things is another terrific start to a contemporary rock band romance series by Beth Bolden.

Set in southern California, the location allows the author to fold in characters from her other series (Kitchen Gods, Food Truck Warriors) into making guest appearances where needed. Or even serving up as locations ala Terrior Restaurant and Chef Aquino.

Star Shadow is a defunct teenage rock band that disbanded when one of its members disappeared at the height of its world tour. Unable to continue, the band crumbled under the pain and betrayal.

The remaining four members keeping in contact personally while going different directions professionally.

That’ll the surface facts that the story opens up with.

The truth behind that traumatic breakup and the repercussions that are still hammering at the band members presently begin with the return of that missing musician and friend. Caleb Chance. He wants to resume that ill fated tour

Where he’s been, what happened all those years ago, and the deeply held pain and torn relationships is the beginning here.

The format the author employs includes the use of Interludes, important chapters from the past that highlights a pivotal moment in this couple’s and the band’s journey. Whether it’s from the moment they met or the moment it all imploded, the Interludes work better here then any flashback because the contrast emotionally between past and present if often stark and telling.

Told from the perspective of Leo Humphries, the man Caleb Chance left behind and who’s leaving shattered him almost completely, a one person pov makes this a strong story. It’s an unusual choice because I think most writers would have included Caleb’s as well given his own personal demons and battles. But to do that justice would have doubled this story easily.

Their romance, their tortuous journey back to each other, to forgiveness and love is hard and raw. And honestly as it deals with Caleb’s addiction to alcohol and how Leo had to deal with the everyday ramifications of having a alcoholic lover, maybe be hard to read if this is a trigger.

For me it also left some parts feeling less than fleshed out here too with regards to Caleb’s rehabilitation. He used aversion therapy at the end but there’s no real explanation here of that. Just that all other type of rehab clinics hadn’t been effective.

I would have expected something more definitive here. Especially considering that the men are honest about other stages and parts of their feelings and expectations for their new relationship.

I’ve come to relish and prefer stories where the relationships are emotionally adult. They talk, communicating their feelings, thoughts, and share elements with their partners those aspects of their lives that bring them closer together . Or learn how to do that…it’s a process.

That’s shown here in all its pain, truth, recovery, and love.

It’s quite the journey.

I wonder where all the books will take us and them. I intend to find out. I recommend you start here.

Star Shadow series:

Terrible Things (Star Shadow #1)

Impossible Things #2

Hazardous Things #3

Extraordinary Things #4

Synopsis:

When Caleb Chance walked out in Detroit five years ago, leaving his band, millions of his fans and his lover behind, Leo knew he could never forgive.

Some things, no matter what the cause, are unforgivable.

But Leo never expected Caleb to show up again, clean and sober and wanting to get their band, Star Shadow, back together. He definitely never expected to agree to Caleb’s plan.

He never expected to confront the love of his life again—or the disaster of his past, the hopelessness of his future, and every terrible thing he’s been carrying inside him.

But maybe some things aren’t so terrible after all.

Review: Keeping Casey (Keeping Him #1) by Amy Aislin

Rating: 4.5🌈

Keeping Casey is another terrific contemporary romance from Amy Aislin. Loosely connected to her hockey series through the Glen Hill College Mountaineers hockey team, which has made its appearances in other stories , this novel is the first in a new Keeping Him series.

In Keeping Casey the author weaves many of my favorite tropes together to form a sweet and moving romance. Here we have a nerd/jock relationship that’s a friends to lovers with elements of slow burn, hurt/comfort, even LGBTQIA bullying within a fake boyfriend storyline.

Yep, all that and it works so well together.

Of course it helps tremendously if you have adorable, layered characters with realistic chemistry that whenever they’re together the warmth and love just flows off the pages.

There’s a bullying aspect here but on the jock side which is unexpected but again completely realistic. Also twinned painful pasts for both men where each has taken that trauma and emotionally internalized it in vastly different ways.

These elements, two incredibly different characters and one amazing relationship. It all makes for a fantastic romance and terrific secondary characters whose stories will be appearing shortly.

Another aspect I loved is that people, hockey players and their partners, from her other books and series , pop up here as supporters. It works beautifully. And it’s great to see them all again.

I’m highly recommending this story and I’m onto the next!

Keeping Him series:

Keeping Casey #1

Keeping Kellen #2

Synopsis:

Casey Preston is the guy with the plan. The list-maker. The one who micromanages his own life.

Spontaneously offering to be his best friend’s fake boyfriend to get Ethan’s annoying team captain off his back?

That’s not thinking things through. It’s not even smart given Casey’s been fighting his feelings for Ethan for years.

Ethan Rain just wants to play hockey and get his college degree. Adding a fake boyfriend to the mix? He doesn’t need that complication.

If Casey were his real boyfriend, though? If he got to keep Casey forever? Now we’re talking.

But what if Casey doesn’t want to be kept?

Keeping Casey

(Keeping Him #1)

by Amy Aislin

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: 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: 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: 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