Review: Getting Married At Crofton Hall by Rebecca Cohen

Rating: 4🌈

I’ll be honest here and admit I’m torn as to how to rate this story.

Here’s the facts.

Getting Married At Crofton Hall by Rebecca Cohen is a novel I’ve been waiting on as I’ve followed the Crofton Earls from Cohen’s historical romances (The Crofton Chronicles) all the way through the Modern Crofton series, of which I thought this was the culmination of them both.

It’s not, but more on that later.

So it fair to say I’m a very invested reader and a person committed to these characters and their relationships. Plus I like the author’s writing style.

Getting Married at Crofton Hall becomes a novel of primarily 4 people, 2 couples. With a scattering of side relationships in their various stages, from completely settled and happy to troubled and verging on disastrous. All of which are either at the Hall or coming to the wedding.

What I should be completely enthusiastic about and happily invested in every element of their story is the main couple , Ben and Ashley, who are getting married.

No, instead they are where I have the biggest issues.

Who do I love? Chris Gamling, Crofton Hall’s new writer in residence, just back from a painful, career low stay in LA that sees him returning home in debt. Chris is such a lovely character, with his dandelion hair, utter sweetness, and a determination to stay true to himself.

Of course, love awaits him in the form of Ashley’s best friend and former bf, Jack Webb. A barrister, he’s here to be Ashley’s best man and all around support for the wedding. Having been recently dumped, he too could use his friend’s support as well.

Jack is snarky, intelligent, deep, and tremendously loyal. Watching these two slow burn connect is amazing. Watch out for that hair brush scene!

They are couple goals. And everything that Ben and Ashley aren’t. At least during this wedding.

Or should I say Ben isn’t . Because up until approximately 86 percent of this novel, I found Ben to be arrogant, unsupportive, oblivious, and frankly, unlivable.

Where is the Ben I enjoyed from the prior books? The one who at least had some semblance of intuition about Ashley’s thoughts and feelings.

Here he is gone. I couldn’t figure out if that personality was sacrificed for the groomzilla/wedding/stress plot needs or just forgotten. Either way to see it bound back remarkably towards the end, then disappear when Ben behaves badly under the influence of alcohol, then appear again. Well, it made Ashley seem like a stressed doormat for the majority of the time.

Their aspect of the story, Ben’s behavior, his expectation that Ashley would just tolerate his toxic words and actions, or that Cohen saw no issues with their relationship at this point, is problematic.

Love works things out . SMH. No, sometimes it doesn’t or shouldn’t.

There’s so much here to unravel. That Ben knew he was wrong and continues. His friend(s) points out some of the glaring issues. They are ignored.

That it take Ashley, not Ben, breaking, to almost make it right.

What is wrong here?

The fact that there’s a lot of healthy relationships in and around Crofton Hall I’m not sure the main couple is one of them.

The rating? For the other couples, the reality of the writing, and the fact that it does feel believable.

I love Jack and Chris. And many of the other couples. I would have told poor Ashley to get Ben into couple counseling before I got married to someone who treated him so poorly then proceeded with such self-involved excuses.

Or maybe if I was Cohen I wouldn’t have written Ben into someone who almost defies any connection from a reader. At least this one.

Cohen writes she has several more stories to tell in this series. If they are in the same vein as Chris and Jack, count me in. I quite appreciative of that pairing.

It’s based on them that this book gets a recommendation.

Modern Crofton series:

🔹Saving Crofton Hall #1 (orig released 2014

🔹Making History at Crofton Hall

🔹Below Stairs at Crofton Hall

🔹Getting Married at Crofton Hall

A spin-off from The Crofton Chronicles-historic romance series

🔹The Actor and The Earl #1

🔹Duty to the Crown #2

🔹Forever Hold His Peace #3

https://www.goodreads.com › showGetting Married at Crofton Hall by Rebecca Cohen – Goodreads

Ben and Ashley are getting married! For the first time in history the Earl of Crofton will be allowed to marry a man.

But wedding admin isn’t always fun, and frayed tempers and bickering are not the best ways to prepare for the happiest day of their lives, but hopefully they’ll make it down the aisle before one of them kills the other. The arrival of two of Ben’s old friends at Crofton Hall does not help matters, especially with their rather messy shared history.

The hall also has a new writer in residence, Chris Gamling, and while he’s not always with the plot in the real world, he’s a brilliant wordsmith. When he meets Jack Webb, Ashley’s best friend, Chris feels the spark he’s been waiting for. Sometimes meeting the love of your life doesn’t have to be difficult.

This is the fourth Modern Crofton novel, featuring Benjamin Redbourn, the 16th Earl of Crofton and descendant of Anthony Redbourn, 1st Earl of Crofton from my historical series, The Crofton Chronicles. Each book in the Modern Crofton series will feature Ben and Ashley, alongside another couple finding love at Crofton Hall.

Review : Camera Shy by E.J. Russell

Rating: 4.5🌈

E.J. Russell has returned to contemporary romance after a two year absence with Camera Shy and its a marvelously entertaining story.

Told from the perspectives of both protagonists, we get a remarkable journey . Starting from a stressed filled professional boss/employee relationship between the arrogant, driven Ari Dimitriou, host of his own talk show, and his overworked, highly competent and engaged PA, Dustin Fremont. The men and the way they relate to each other undergoes a stress-laden journey. From a oblivious boss and overcommitted employee role, to another one that shows a state of emotional reflection happening within two lives , men under going personal growth and the recognition of what’s truly important for their future lives and happiness.

Dustin believes in Ari’s passion for LGBTGIA causes and drive to expose those that have caused the community and it’s Allie’s enormous harm. But Dustin also has a past that has damaged him greatly, and a corrosive adolescent and history that continues to haunt him. Not that Ari is aware of any of that.

Ari is obsessed with winning, especially against a man he’s sure is a adversary. And that dangerous tunnel vision combined with a tv interview with the man goes south quickly for the arrogant Ari.

Russell uses this setup to frame out the fake fiancé trope and turn it into a journey of self revelation and love amidst LGBTGIA wedding planners and tv producers.

It works on many levels, it engages the reader by allowing Russell to create some fabulous characters and put them into scenes both funny, moving , and ultimately serious enough to induce the need self reflection and emotional growth to make their new relationship work and feel believable.

I laughed and enjoyed so many elements about Camera Shy but mostly I hoped it wouldn’t be another 2 years before Russell wrote another contemporary romance as marvelous as this!

Highly recommended!

Amazon US

Amazon Universal

Synopsis:

Never assume…

…that your uber competent personal assistant will get it when you announce your (fake) engagement to him during a live on-air interview with your archnemesis.

Never waver…

…from your plan to punish your arrogant celebrity boss for his presumption by turning your (fake) wedding into a reality competition for event planners.

Never admit…

…that the feelings blossoming between the two of you through seven (fake) engagement celebrations, six (fake) bachelor parties, five (fake) wedding party luncheons, and four (fake) rehearsal dinners are about as (real) you can get.

Camera Shy is a boss/employee, fake-engagement, right-in-front-of-your-nose romantic comedy featuring a former child model-turned-PA who is so done with cameras, a cocky LGBTQ activist/talk show host who does not lose, more scarves than midwinter in Boston, and banter. So. Much. Banter.

Review: About Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker

Rating: 5🌈

There’s something so soothing and wonderful about reading a contemporary romance that’s about an emotionally healthy, adult relationship.

About Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker is a perfect example of that. The novel, one who’s characters are part of the author’s Savannah, Georgia universe (Sinister in Savannah, Sawyer and Royce series), are people we’ve met and become extremely fond of through prior stories.

Detective Christopher “Topher” Carnegie, who’s previous relationships haven’t been a success, has slowly become aware he’s attracted on many levels to a man his family has all but adopted. One he considers a close friend.

That’s Julian Fine, clothing designer (he of the corsets Sawyer loves), and best friend to Harper, one of Topher’s sisters.

This joyous journey begins at their first meeting and moves through the passage of time as Julian and the Carnegie family becomes a wonderful, heartwarming unit that stabilizes Julian’s life and anchors both men to each other.

It’s low angst and includes a bisexual awakening that’s mature, and realistically portrayed. There’s support from friends and family for them, adult communication, as well as a sexy, fun, loving exploration as they realize they are willing to take the next step towards everything they both want.

I laughed, sighed, and throughly love this couple and their path to romance.

I believe you will too.

You don’t have to have read the other series and books to read this one but it certainly gives the reader a richness in terms of foundation and universe if you have.

Plus I adore those stories.

And highly recommend this and all of those! Excellently written, outstanding characters, and a beautifully crafted storyline. Sink into it and this couple’s journey to HEA and enjoy!

https://www.goodreads.com › showAbout Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker – Goodreads

Synopsis:

The bicurious cop and his sharp-dressed man…

Detective Christopher “Topher” Carnegie is unlucky in love. He either tries too hard, doesn’t try hard enough, or hasn’t found the right person yet. But recently, he’s started seeing Julian Fine, his sister’s best friend, in a new light. If there’s one thing a fabulous tailor knows, it’s how to take a person’s measure. Julian recognizes a straight man when he sees one, but that doesn’t stop him from falling head over heels for the unattainable man.

Just a few short days and one shared bed…

When a white lie backs Julian into a corner, Topher steps in to save the day. He’s worked plenty of undercover assignments before, but pretending to be Julian’s boyfriend during a family wedding might be his most dangerous mission yet. Julian challenges everything Christopher knows about himself, and soon, reaching for each other feels as natural as breathing. But can their newfound feelings survive the real-world challenges they face? There’s only one way to find out.

About Last Night is a low-angst standalone romance within the author’s Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is intended for adults.

———-

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

Connected series- same universe and characters:

🔹Sinister in Savannah

🔹Sawyer and Royce: 2 series

Separate Novels-same universe

🔹About Last Night

🔹Just Say When – December 20, 2022

Review: Wildfire (In Vino Veritas) by Garrett Leigh

Rating: 4.75🌈

Wildlfire by Garrett Leigh, sees a return of the In Vino Veritas series, one written by multiple authors about a connecting bookstore and wine bar in Burlington,Vermont.

Many of the characters there originate from the earlier V & V series, so honestly for newcomers, it’s a win win with two terrific series to lock into.

Garrett Leigh’s Wildfire is a wonderful romance and contemporary love story on many levels. The depth of Leigh’s characters and the complexity of both man’s history leads the reader into their stories and wanting so much for each of them.

The novel begins with Kai Fletcher, leader of a Search and Rescue team returning home after a long night that suddenly becomes a nightmare. It’s a shattering start.

Told from alternating pov, we go forward and find the how the ramifications of that night have changed Kai and his life. Haunted, his PSTD curtailing his life and abilities to get outside his memories.

Garrett Leigh writes this damaged character so believably. Kai comes to life in these pages and his pain is visceral.

Called in as the new chef of Vino is Joss. He’s a friend of Jax’s (Heartscape (Vino and Veritas) from the UK. Joss is another man who comes with his own complicated personal history and unusual issues. Joss diagnosed with ADHD and non-verbal Tourette’s syndrome. But later in his life so his early adolescence was marred by bullying, acting out , and troubling behavior. That plus a detrimental home life set a pattern for Joss in terms of seeing himself in a certain manner and inability to settle.

Again, Joss is a absolutely fantastic character. Believable, endearing, fierce, and lost.

The manner in which Leigh weaves their relationship, Kai’s sexual awakening, the growth each must move through in order for a love and a future to work together is so amazing.

It’s in the dialogues, the scenes, the characters we have come to know, and the landscape of Burlington itself.

Wildfire is a fantastic story and this is one couple to remember.

I’m so happy to see this series get a second run. I’m looking forward to every book and new additions to the V&A family!

I’m highly recommending Wildfire.

If you’re curious, I’ve listed not only this series but the original as well. You can read one, 5 , or like me , all. That’s what so lovely about it.

Happy Reading!

In Vino Veritas series 2:

✓ Wildfire #1 – Garrett Leigh

◦ Counterpoint #2 – JE Birk

◦ Unmanageable #3 – Leslie McAdam

◦ Underdog #4 – LA Witt

◦ Wonderland #5 – Rachel Ember

◦ Dauntless #6 – Victoria DeNault

The first series:

Vino and Veritas #1:

🔵Featherbed (Vino and Veritas 1) by Annabeth Albert

🔵Heartscape #2 by Garrett Leigh

🔵Headstrong #3 by Eden Finley

🔵Undercover #4 by Eliot Grayson

🔵Aftermath #5 by LA Witt

🔵Booklover #6 by JE Birk

🔵Flipcup #7 by Kim Hartfield f/f

🔵Hideaway #8 by Rachel Lacey f/f

🔵Turnabout #9 by Laurel Greer

🔵Unguarded #10 by Jay Hogan

🔵Insatiable #11 by Rhys Everly

🔵Daybreak #12 by Kate Hawthorne

🔵Heartsong #13 by AE Wasp

🔵Stronghold #14 by Ana Ashley

🔵Limelight #15 by E Davis

🔵Unforgettable #16 by Marley Valentine

🔵Showstopper #17 by Regina Kyle

🔵Undone #18 by Leslie McAdams

https://www.goodreads.com › showWildfire (In Vino Veritas, #1) by Garrett Leigh | Goodreads

Synopsis:

A gorgeous new sexual awakening romance with sizzling first times, snarky British banter, and off-the-charts chemistry.

Life doesn’t always pan out as you expect. When it explodes in my face, literally, an old friend offers me a place to heal and a job renovating the kitchen of Burlington’s coolest wine bar.

V&V is a chill fest. Living above it should be a blast. But I’m not built to be a social butterfly. Not anymore. I’m a damaged man.

And I’m not its target clientele.

At least, I think I’m not until I come face to face with the most beautiful human I’ve ever seen. Joss is the new chef and my roommate. He has hair like spun gold and it’s as pretty as the rest of him. Crystal blue eyes. Megawatt smile.

I can’t stop staring. Or thinking about him. He chases my nightmares away. And when he spots my crush a mile off, his solution to our chemical attraction blows my mind.

An experiment of sorts. Science. Is this sexual exploration or sex education?

Either way, Joss is only here for the summer. He’s leaving.

I can’t fall in love with him.

I can’t.

Shame my foolish heart never got the memo.

———-

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

WILDFIRE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort romance in the True North world, with a brooding lumbersexual, a wild-hearted chef, sweet angst and all the Vermont food. Content warning: contains mentions of depression, ADHD, suicidal ideation, and PTSD recovery.

Review: Playing Games ( Franklin U #1) by Riley Hart

Rating: 4 🌈

Playing Games is a wonderful enemies to lovers romance from Riley Hart. It’s the first in a multi-author series called Franklin U that can be read in any order, the only main factor is the campus all the characters live on and the college they attend.

I enjoyed the layered approach Hart takes here to both the characters, their differences in social status and histories, as well as how often even the harshest of arguments and familial divides worked their way out in areas of grey, adult relationship style instead of stark black/white divisiveness.

That same narrative outlook was applied to Braxton Walker, who’s tough upbringing and history is one he’s working hard to rise above. Despite his rough appearance, he’s set goals to achieve.

Tyson Langley is his opposite. Rich, sliding through his studies, a star on the college LaCrosse team, he represents everything Brax is fighting hard for and yet Ty seems to appreciate none of it.

The characters are well defined. And when a believable crisis causes Ty to seek a job that brings him into Brax’s orbit, the enforced intimacy that breaks down each other’s walls has a realistic feeling to it.

The romance happens a tad fast but the groundwork is laid for it and a relationship. It does work.

I ended up really enjoying their story and the characters. They each make a couple of “guest” appearances in other books in this series.

If you’re a lover of contemporary romance, add this sweet book to your list!

Franklin U series:

✓ Playing Games #1 – Riley Hart

✓ The Dating Disaster #2 – Saxon James

✓ Mr. Romance #3 – Louise Masters

◦ Bet You #4 – Neve Wilder

◦ The Glow Up #5 – A.M. Johnson

◦ The Learning Curve #6 – N.R. Walker

◦ Making Waves #7 – Christina Lee

◦ Football Royalty #8 – Eden Finley

https://www.goodreads.com › showPlaying Games (Franklin U #1) by Riley Hart | Goodreads

Brax

Tyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.

It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too. I revel in our banter and in never knowing what he’ll say next.

I’ve spent too much time on the wrong side of the law for someone like Ty, though, and if I want to make it through college and escape my past, he’s a distraction I don’t need.

Braxton Walker needs to learn to lighten up. If you search brooding online, his name pops up. He’s the bad boy with a leather jacket and a scowl. We couldn’t be more different.

Finding ways to annoy him is like the longest foreplay session of my life. And when we end up working together, it gets harder to deny how hot he makes me.

What’s a little hooking up between enemies?

We weren’t supposed to become friends or share secrets. We weren’t supposed to understand each other and all the complicated stuff we’re going through.

I’m used to playing games, only the more time I spend with Brax, the less it feels like playing around and the more it becomes something real.

This series takes place across a calendar year. The books have been released in chronological order but are all stand alones and can be consumed in whichever order you choose.

———-

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

Review: Mr. Romance (Franklin U Book 3) by Louisa Masters

Rating: 4.25

Mr. Romance is Louisa Masters’ offer to the multiple author series, Franklin U. And it’s frankly adorable!

Starting with the clueless but hugely friendly and kind Charlie Martin who’s inability to read social cues has those he comes into casual contact with thinking they are dating or something more interesting. Not that Charlie realizes it until it comes to a dramatic climax or someone else points it out to “Mr Oblivious “.

Then he’s upset that he’s accidentally hurting others while not realizing which actions he’s doing are the culprit.

Such a amazing, adorable person. A happy Golden Retriever on two legs! No, he’s got a bit more self awareness but towards others? Hmmm, no.

Masters has a fabulous character here.

But Charlie needs to be reigned in and have a tutorial in social cues.

That’s where Liam comes in, the man who created the Mr. Romance app and is sure to be able to tutor Charlie in how not to give off the boyfriend vibes to everyone he meets.

Liam is the anthesis of Charlie. He’s compact, athletic , likes business, romantic, and not concerned about dress. Whereas Charlie loves fashion, isn’t terribly sports minded, and is very wealthy.

Two beautifully written characters. One hilarious road to romance and love. Aided by several characters from another series and stories within this series.

I laughed. Grinned. Then laughed some more. Drunk Charlie is hilarious.

Some readers who haven’t read the Ghostly Guardians series you might not recognize some of the characters from that series that appear here. That will add a bit of a void or lack of foundation.

But the story is very entertaining. The couple fun and charming which made Mr. Romance a definite recommendation.

Franklin U series:

✓ Playing Games #1 – Riley Hart

✓ The Dating Disaster #2 – Saxon James

✓ Mr. Romance #3 – Louisa Masters

◦ Bet You #4 – Neve Wilder

◦ The Glow Up #5 – A.M. Johnson

◦ The Learning Curve #6 – N.R. Walker

◦ Making Waves #7 – Christina Lee

◦ Football Royalty #8 – Eden Finley

https://www.goodreads.com › showMr. Romance (Franklin U #3) by Louisa Masters – Goodreads

Synopsis:

When you’re clueless, Mr. Romance can help.

Charlie
I’m not sure how it happened, but it turns out I’ve unknowingly been dating three people.

Friends don’t spoil other friends, apparently. My trust fund means I can afford to, though, and what’s a meal here and there? Or some clothes? Or textbooks? That doesn’t mean we’re dating, right?

Others disagree. If I want to get through the rest of college knowing who my friends are, I need help from someone who knows all about dating and can tell me what not to do.
Someone like Mr. Romance.

Liam
When people look at me, romance is the last thing they think of… but I’m still the first person they call. Need a first date planned? A big romantic moment? Gotta beg for forgiveness? I’m your man. When it comes to romance, I’ve got it handled.
Not personally, though. My romantic life is… barren. All I really want is someone to snuggle with and spoil me. What I’ve got is planning dates for people who have no clue about romancing someone.

But now I’m somehow Charlie Martin’s anti-romance consultant. Charlie, who’s completely clueless yet the most accepting and friendly person I’ve ever met. Who’s giving and generous. Who’s befriended me and wants me to be happy.
I’m supposed to help him stop his friends from falling for him. The last thing I need is to fall for him myself.

———-

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

Review: The Sunny Side (The Model Agency #1) by Lily Morton

Rating: 4.75 🌈

I’m such a fan of this author and The Sunny Side is a fantastic example of why her contemporary romances continue to resonate with so many readers, book after book, series after series.

Supermodel Dean Jacobs has appeared in the author’s newsletter serial and pops up in other stories (Deal Maker for one). That cover is a perfect match for the character it’s portraying, a rare occurrence!

However, it’s the internal Dean, the one that’s kind, fighting a life long insecurity issue bourn of bad parenting, later in life diagnosed with dyslexia, now newly sober,coming off years of being stoned, he’s stressed and struggling.

Jonas Durand is a highly successful, focused owner of the modeling agency that handles some of the most famous models in the world. After wresting control of the company from his mother and restructuring it into the respected firm it is today, he’s had just one known passion, the business.

But a lesser known one is Dean Jacobs. Just as Jonas has been Dean’s.

Morton weaves a tale of love and romance so skillfully as Dean’s struggles catches Jonas’ attention, and it’s to Jonas that Dean instinctively turns to for safety and sanctuary.

Their personalities matching and adjusting each to the other, through warm hearted dialogue, scenes filled full of laughter and raw emotion, whether it’s just them or with Jonas’ daughter, Ruby Tuesday, and Henry, the dog.

Morton shows us the slow building of a couple, then a family, every skittish step each man takes forward.

There’s a moment of crisis of course. And as bad as it feels, it’s also very believable and real. Painful, hurtful, and real.

Morton makes us believe in these men, stumbling with them towards love and happiness. And when it comes to a close, we aren’t ready to end.

Which brings me to a note. I originally gave this a 5. Then, Morton herself said there was a addendum short showing what happens to Dean and Jonas afterwards.

So I read it.

I laughed so hard I cried. Then I cried because it was perfect!

That short was THE perfect ending!

It needs to be in the book.

Lily Morton, if you’re listening, books get edited all the time. Just sayin.

I’m definitely recommending The Sunny Side by Lily Morton. It’s fantastic, and probably a reread for many!

The Model Agency:

◦ The Sunny Side #1

Available in Kindle Format

AMAZON US

AMAZON UK

AMAZON FR

Synopsis:

Jonas Durand is successful, rich, and controlled. He owns a prestigious modelling agency and has the world at his fingertips, but a turbulent childhood has taught him to be focused and never deviate from a plan.

Dean Jacobs threatens that stance. He’s one of the world’s most sought-after supermodels, but he’s also laidback and lighthearted and free in a way that Jonas has never quite managed.

Dean has always been interested in Jonas and has never made any secret of his admiration, but from the beginning, Jonas put him in a neat little box labelled, “Don’t touch,” turned the key, and never looked back.

However, the universe seems determined to thwart Jonas’s plans. Over the course of one hot summer, the two men come together, and Jonas’s well-ordered life becomes something a whole lot wilder.

Moving from the glamorous worlds of London and Paris Fashion Weeks to the sleepy South of France, Jonas finds himself liberating partridges, chasing his supermodel, and falling in love.

From bestselling author Lily Morton, comes a romantic comedy set in the fast-paced and snarky world of modelling. This is the first book in the Model Agency series.

Review: Hot Lips: A MM Romantic Suspense Mystery (The Hot Cannolis) by Tara Lain

Rating: 3.75🌈

Hot Lips is the last of The Hot Cannolis series. It is written by Tara Lain, when the original plan was to continue to coauthor , with Eli Easton, all four books was halted by Lain’s personal health issues that had Easton and Lain dividing up the last two stories.

She mentions all this in the prologue but I bring it up again because unlike the other books, Hot Lips seems the only story removed from the encompassing “embrace” of the Canoli compound and family we’ve come to love. Even Tito, one of its main characters, is an enigma. His personality , with those vague hints of shyness, a lack of history, and a real disconnect to everyone in the Canoli family, wasn’t that interesting.

The reader, through every book, has no idea, who this shadow is.

That’s completely opposite of every other novel where we had a semblance of the person we were to meet going in. Here? Nothing.

Lain assembles Tito’s personality like a puzzle at the same time she’s crafting her storylines, and I’m not sure it works. It’s not a smooth or fluid construction.

Tito ‘s character has endured trauma. Has PTSD, has become housebound. Has another identity. Lain piles onto Tito multiple layers of elements that don’t have “page time” for full treatment. There’s mystery, kidnapping, stalking , and other elements that would act as trigger warnings.

Then there’s Ari Cohen, the undercover Detective. He’s huge, sweet, has a great cat. I mean he’s a good character but his role within the Canoli “universe “ is barely there when Uncle Rick asks him over to talk to Tito. Which is a real stretch here.

I think that’s part of my issue here. All the preceding books felt like a part of a family. They naturally flowed together. They had history, substance , a firm foundation that the storylines and characters stood upon.

This easily could have been a standalone with nothing to do with the Canolis. It felt like the author kept pushing to make connections to the series instead of letting it be what it was, it’s own novel.

So it ends up being something that almost succeeds but doesn’t because it tries so hard. Sweet romance with trigger warnings.

The Hot Cannolis series:

◦ Fireman’s Carry (The Hot Cannolis #0.5) by Eli Easton

✓ Hot Seat #1

✓ Hot Wings #2

✓ Hot Pursuit #3 by Eli Easton

✓ Hot Lips #4 by Tara Lain

https://www.amazon.com › Hot-Lips…Hot Lips: A MM Romantic Suspense Mystery (The Hot Cannolis) – Kindle edition

Synopsis:

Sometimes there are too many closets to come out of.

For two years, Tito’s been hiding from his past in the midst of his uncle and aunt’s big, crazy, compound full of relatives in a tiny town in California.
Now his past’s come to get him – and threatens not only Tito’s life, but to reveal the secret that will get Tito kicked out of the family he loves.
Time to fight back!
Ari Cohen, a tough cop on the hate crimes task force, knows about hiding and fighting, since he spends his life undercover searching out bad guys.
Ari’s got a big secret too that perfectly matches Tito’s –both in and out of bed.
But don’t play hearts and flowers yet.
The price they have to pay for the match may send them running back to their closets – if Tito can stay alive long enough to get there.

HOT LIPS is a M/M romantic suspense mystery, packed with sexy secrets, danger, family love, and a crazy, one-eyed cat

———-

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

Review: Lethal (Operation Justice Force #1) by Reece Knightly

Rating: 4.5🌈

The cover and description give the reader a pretty good indication of what Lethal, the first book in Reese Knightly’s new Operation Justice Force , has in store for them.

Dark alley, hot, muscled men, with tattoos (some of them), just a hint of danger. Works perfectly for a undercover operation filled with ex Black ops, ex Marines , ex CIA agents, you name it, this agency has the law enforcement type employed there.

I wasn’t aware there’s connecting series that precedes this, Code of Honor Justice Force series as well as Out for Justice Cobalt Security series. Neither of which I’ve read but some of the characters from those series do make appearances here.

The agency here is a twin operation of one referenced above, only a tad more under the radar. They are run by the same person and under the same government auspices .

Luckily, Knightly puts all that knowledge in place here so the new reader like myself doesn’t feel like they are scrambling too much to pull together the foundational structure.

Lethal is a two person POV, a dynamic format which works tremendously well with this type of story and characters.

It’s a dark explosive opening, and we’re off to a highly suspenseful, intense storyline diving into a mystery that has a murderous cat and mouse game already in progress.

While the transitions between the differing POV may seem abrupt at the beginning, I found it increased the pace of the exposition, heightened the sense of danger to the men involved, and laid a layer of dark rawness over this section of the storyline.

Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, is chasing Sphinx,a ex CIA suspected of being a traitor and stealing a important in-house list of names. That’s the situation we start at. A meeting between Dalton and Sphinx gone wrong.

Adam Campbell, ex CIA, is on the run, unsure of who he can trust, with information he needs to protect. He’s such a interesting character, exhausted, alone, fighting to survive. Who he is and what his connection is with Dalton makes this story. It’s such a great twist.

I won’t spoil the book but it’s a fast paced , highly entertaining, very suspenseful story. It’s got terrific characters, themes , and a fabulous ending.

There’s a few questions about Dalton’s family history, and his background but in general, this is a story that will keep you entertained and invested right until the end.

And it’s one I’m recommending!

The list of the series to date is below. Check them out.

🔹Operation Justice Force series:

✓ Lethal #1

◦ Rough #2

◦ Honor #3

◦ Rebel #4 – Nov 17, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showLethal (Operation Justice Force, #1) by Reese Knightley – Goodreads

Synopsis:

A traitor with stolen information.
Adam Campbell, 33, blacklisted CIA agent, needs to get covert information into the right hands. Alone and on the run, his world suddenly stops when he discovers the identity of the Pegasus operative who is on his tail. Arranging a meeting just to gaze into the eyes of the man he’s always loved, Adam is set up and almost killed. Out of resources and nowhere to turn, Adam returns to the only home he’s ever known.

An operative who always catches the bad guy.

Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, has a job to do: Stop ex-CIA agent, code name Sphinx, from selling classified information. When Sphinx disappears after Dalton’s botched attempt at contact, Dalton takes a much-needed break. Going home for the holiday, Dalton finds Adam, the man he’d walked away from years ago.

A surprising encounter.
Imagine Adam’s shock when Dalton shows up. Imagine Dalton’s disbelief when he finds out the facts about the man who has always owned his heart. When explosions, secrets, and attempted murder hit close to home, Pegasus opens up a lethal dose of ass kicking. Will that be enough to stop the bad guys and give Adam a chance to come clean?

———-

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

Review: Department Rivals (A Valor and Doyle Prequel) by Nicky James

Rating: 4.5🌈

Prequels are tricky things, they are stories that set the stage and briefly introduce characters for a series to come.

I’m always fascinated how each author’s treatment of a prequel storyline differs,their take on formatting as well as what the approach will be.

James makes Department Rivals happen within the span of one day. Two interdepartmental law enforcement bitter rivals, Homicide and MPU (Missing Persons Unit), are forced by each other’s department heads to attend a team building day to start to break down the long established antagonism.

Teams made up of a Officer from each department will work together to solve a “crime puzzle” laid out throughout the city and win a prize.

This is our first time to meet the detectives, Quaid Valor (MPU) and Aslan Doyle (Homicide) as well as their partners .

James does an excellent job of creating strong characters in a short amount of space. Valor’s behavior in just the sounds of his phone chiming with texts from his ex is beyond expressive, telegraphing a history and pain that’s so complex.

As is Aslan’s reaction to Valor, a man his department has made mockery of, including derogatory names. He now starts to see a person with frailties behind the need for adherence to the minutiae of the law he’s known for.

As James puts Aslan and Valor through the game and investigation, and us with them, it becomes a revelation of character and personality.

I won’t spoil the ending. But if you’ve read the first book, you know this is the situation that they both refer to, and think of often. It’s an important day for them both.

I love Department Rivals (A Valor and Doyle Prequel) by Nicky James. It’s a concisely written, beautifully constructed prequel. Great format and wonderful characterization.

It has a job and boy, it got it done and then some.

I’m highly recommending it and the series that follows.

Valor and Doyle Mysteries:

✓ Department Rivals #0.5

✓ Temporary Partner #1

✓ Elusive Relations #2

◦ Unstable Connections #3 – October 17, 2022

https://www.goodreads.com › showDepartment Rivals A Valor and Doyle Prequel by Nicky James

Synopsis:

The hostility between homicide and missing persons division is high.
Something has to give.

When forced to participate in the department’s first annual team-building day, rival detectives, Quaid Valor and Aslan Doyle, need to learn to work together to win the prize.
Can they put their animosity aside?
Will their mutual attraction to each other get in the way?

**Department Rivals is a short, fun little prequel to the Valor and Doyle Mystery series**

———-

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

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