Review: A Purpose That Restores Us (The Magi Accounts #3) by Michele Notaro

Rating: 4.75🌈

The Magi Accounts is a dark, brutal urban fantasy series. It’s a ugly universe of constant warfare between aliens coming through a human made rift and world governments trying to prevail against them using any and all mean possible.

For an unrecognizable US government, it’s meant that they’ve been treating the magi (magical human beings) like slaves, war fodder, and war tools. And worse. Subjecting them to the most horrific abuse, housed in breeding compounds, tagged and collared, little more than test subjects.

Several of our most beloved characters are magi and we go through some gut wrenching, horrific events with them in these books , including attempts of sexual assault and actual torture that brings home their dire situation in this dark universe.

Believe in the trigger warnings here.

Next on the low species list as regarded by the US government is shifters. While also in need of them as soldiers in shifter/magi teams against the powerful aliens arriving through the rift, the US government treats them barely better then the magi. They are tagged but have a hard won autonomy the magi could never hope for.

Notaro has built a remarkable tale of pain, horror and heartbreaking relationships amidst a war that only seems to be escalating, as a new enemy, made up of humans and witches comes for both the aliens and the shifter/magi population.

I fell in love with the growing found family that started with the bonded dyad magi pair, Madeo and Jude, together since early childhood. Traumatized, abused, sent to war as children as weapons, they trusted, with excellent reason, no one but themselves.

Now they are not only a part of Cosmo Ono-Nai’s pride, but Madeo is blood-bonded to Cosmo and his Alpha mate. So much change, almost more than either magi can emotionally handle after their abusive past.

Notaro’s stories have been building on the complicated bonds within the Ono-Nai pride and its success with helping the characters grow into a different person who sees perhaps a future with a relationship and a hope they never anticipated.

That’s a glimpse of lightness through the darkness we finally get to see here but not before some new horrors are visited upon the teams and characters as they fight against the Red Cloak conspiracy and new aliens , even dangers from within.

This is an exciting, suspenseful, dark series. It’s full of haunting moments and characters that stay with you. And each new story manages to bring an expansion on every level. From the series arc themes of slavery, species bigotry, child sexual assault, PTSD, loss and it’s ramifications, and so much more to the incredible growth the characters are able to demonstrate, emotionally and magically.

I always look forward to the next book. With great anticipation and a bit of fear. Because with each bit of hope we and the characters are allowed, it always comes at enormous personal cost.

Onward to the next story and this outstanding series step forward.

I’m highly recommending it and this. Read them in the order they are written for character development and plot.

The Magi Accounts:

🔹The Scars That Bind Us #1

🔹The Shackles That Hold Us #2

🔹A Date To Impress Him #2.5

🔹A Purpose That Restores Us #3

🔹A Holiday to Sustain Us: A Magi Accounts Holiday – Dec 20, 2022

🔹An Embrace To Hearten Me: The Magic Accounts 3.5 – 8//2023

🔹A Ruse To Unchain Us: The Magi Accounts # 4 – Aug 29, 2033

https://www.goodreads.com › showA Purpose That Restores Us by Michele Notaro – Goodreads

Description:

Dark witches here, bloody witches there, evil witches everywhere.

At home, my life is amazing, thanks to my boyfriend, Cosmo Ono-Nai, and his wonderful family that I’ve become a part of. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life.

But work is a different story.

All anyone’s talking about is the Red Cloth this, the Red Cloth that. I can’t escape them, and all I really want is to find someplace the witches can’t reach, take my family—my pride—there, and hide them away from the world.

But I can’t. I’ll do everything in my power to protect them, and everyone else, from the building threat. There’s this dread building in my chest about what’s to come, and I have a feeling the Red Cloth is planning something big. I only wish I knew what so I could keep Cos, Jude, and the rest of our family safe.

A Purpose That Restores Us is a 118K novel and the third book in the MM urban fantasy series, The Magi Accounts. It’s recommended to read the series in order because it has an ongoing storyline, but there is NO cliffhanger.

*Intended for adults only. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novel.

———-

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

Review: Bet You (Franklin U Book 4) by Neve Wilder

Rating: 3🌈

Bet You is among 8 novels written by different authors in the Franklin U series and each is a standalone featuring a different couple.

Bet You by Neve Wilder has a number of well known themes running through it. There’s opposites attract, the rich easygoing frat boy versus the stressed, overworked middle class student with money flow issues, and a somewhat jock / science nerd aspect as well. But the biggest trope is embedded in the title itself. Bet You.

Yes, that a bet by the rich frat boy that he can make the overworked poorer science student “like, date, fall in love “ with him, whatever the bet is here. There’s been many variations on this theme, but this is the basis for the storyline.

And the largest issue with it is that the reader always knows how the plot will play out regardless of author or book. It always goes the same way.

MC Character makes a bet with his friends. Figures out a way to get the 2nd MC to go out with him. The relationship progresses. They fall into (like,love) then MC2 finds out about the bet. He , naturally feels betrayed, they break up. Big drama. Then MC 1 redeems himself. Reunion and HEA.

It’s every story. The MC1 never tells MC2 about the bet.

If there’s a book out there where that happens, shoot me the title, pls.

So Wilder is trying to make a tired trope feel fresh, a tough job. And on top of that it starts with the fact that overworked, stressed Spencer Crowe’s designated parking spot (paid for) is routinely taken by the fraternity brothers next door. The loud, partying, 24/7 obnoxious fraternity. Which is already a huge problem when the scientists next door want to study.

And when he complains to the person he catches in his spot this time , the rich Cory Ingram, the complaints are immediately treated as insignificant. When Spencer’s reaction to being treated as a nonentity is rage, Cory and his frat brothers instincts lean towards bullying, his friends admitting that they park there often.

None of this makes me want to connect with anyone other then Spencer. Especially Cory’s tactics that follow the bet.

Yes he eventually becomes a nice person but for me, that early personality and events cut him and his frat off from engaging in this story.

Basically, I just wanted to tell Spencer to have him , and all others who park there towed , and call it quits.

It would have felt satisfying, however there wouldn’t have been any romance.

Things here just kept annoying me. What year is this that frats party 24/7 without complaints? Because it doesn’t happen here. In fact those chapters get closed down.

Bullying, non stop partying. Infantile actions. I’m sure they still are ongoing on campus’s elsewhere. I guess I no longer have the patience to read about them.

If you do, if all this sounds like it’s something you’d want to read. Then happy reading.

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 › showBet You (Franklin U #4) by Neve Wilder – Goodreads

Description:

Spencer
Whose brilliant idea was it to build university housing next to one of Franklin U’s most notorious party frats?

I’m a real student—the kind who actually came to college to learn, not some dumb frat bro who sees Franklin U as a four-year challenge to consume the most booze and throw out the best pick-up line.

Their all-hours lifestyle is driving me crazy. Not to mention, the jerks keep taking my assigned parking spot.

But the worst offender might be Cory Ingram. Sure, he has a smile that could melt a polar ice cap, but no way will I ever be one of his minions. I’m pretty sure I made that clear when I blew my top at him. So I have no idea why he’s suddenly everywhere around me, turning on the charm like I might actually fall for it.

Nope. Not gonna happen.

Cory

From the first day I set foot on Franklin U’s campus, everything has been golden. I have a ton of friends, endless parties to be the life of, and whoever I want in my bed on any given night. Sure, I’m a shameless party boy, but I’m not a jerk. Ask anyone. Seriously.

Even the crotchety old groundskeeper waves and smiles at me when I pass.

Then there’s Spencer Crowe. I’ve never seen a guy’s face get so red over a parking spot. Even when I try to make it right, he proceeds to give me the tongue-lashing of a lifetime—which is about the moment I notice that, in addition to being irrationally irate, he’s also crazy hot.

My friends think I’ve finally met the one person I can’t seduce…

Bet you I can.

Review: Counterpoint (In Vino Veritas #2) by J.E. Birk

Rating: 4.75🌈

Counterpoint by J.E. Birk is such an excellent story. It’s the second in a new round of books about the Vino & Veritas bookstore and bar located in Burlington, Vermont. And a whole new look at the wonderful collection of characters and couples that appear in many of the novels.

The previous linked book here is Booklover https://www.goodreads.com › showBooklover (Vino & Veritas, #6) by J.E. Birk – Goodreads. Aaron Morin, is brother to Jamie, from Booklover and Jeremy Everett, the other love interest, is his best friend. We’ve met them all before if you’ve read that book. If you haven’t, you will want to. It’s amazing.

Honestly, each story now feels like a homecoming if you’ve become as connected to these people, their lives, this small town, from the bar and bookstore to Moo U, as I am.

Our two main characters here have known each other and been close friends for a while , along with Jamie , until a argument Aaron had with his dad about the farm fractured the family, sending Aaron off to Harvard and a isolation that remained until recently (Booklover).

Now Aaron is back, to intern for the summer, at one of the local law offices in Burlington. But Aaron has secrets and isn’t happy with himself or at ease with his family and friends.

Jeremy Everett is on the run from reality. He’s running from phone calls, his family, his mother, his future. And he’s using his playboy image to do it. Until his mother cuts off his funds. And forces him to get a job. In the law office where Aaron is working for the summer.

Birk has created a deeply moving and emotionally satisfying story about love and family. About the types of stress and damage parental expectations can place upon a child as well as many faces of love that a child often cannot recognize because of unbearable situations.

So much painful truths here.

If you’re someone who has a relative or close friend with Alzheimer’s , then this will hit deep. All the denial, the spectrum of emotions that the family uses to deal with the loved one who’s lost to this insidious disease. The pain they inflict on each other . It’s so real, heartbreaking, and believable.

Not just Alzheimer’s but a father’s fears and hopes for a family farm that built and then , targeted a son until all he felt he had to be was perfect. We get to feel and hear from Aaron’s internal dialogue and discussions how damaging that childhood has been. Even after a reconciliation, the wounds are still open and Aaron isn’t recovering.

Birk has given us two seemingly different men on the outside but in the center, they are suffering from the trauma their past history and their struggles with the pain their families have caused.

How they overcome it, especially when working together with a certain event in their own personal history still bringing up stumbles, is funny, heartfelt, vulnerable, and just plain a heartwarming story.

I adore this couple, their friends and the future ahead of them. I’m sure we will see them again.

I’m highly recommending Counterpoint, as well as Booklover if you haven’t read that too.

Get caught up and join into this series!

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

Counterpoint (In Vino Veritas, #2) by J.E. Birk – Goodreads

Description:

One playboy. One perfectionist. So many secrets.

I’m considered the biggest playboy in Burlington, Vermont. The party boy. The guy who lives in the moment and makes decisions with no thought for the future. But people don’t know my past. They don’t know why I make the choices I do. Even my best friend doesn’t know the truth about me. Actually, there are a lot of things he doesn’t know…like the fact that I had a one night stand with his brother last year.

Did I mean to hook up with Aaron? Um, no. Mistakes were made, okay? But unlike most of my mistakes, this one has lasting consequences. Aaron works at the law firm where circumstances are forcing me to be their errand boy. Now we see each other every day. Aaron’s such a nervous wreck he keeps tripping over the copy machine. I’m surprised he hasn’t ended up in traction yet.

He and I are opposites in almost every way. He’s got a GPA higher than Mount Mansfield, and I’m barely going to graduate college. He grocery shops with a spreadsheet, and I’ve got YOLO tattooed on my body. But Aaron sees things in me that no one else does, and I see things in him he doesn’t see in himself. Before I know it, we’re sharing late-night office picnics, evenings out at the bar, and long, hot afternoons on my boat. I’m having the best summer of my life, but there’s no way this can end well. My bff will kill me if he ever finds out how thoroughly I’ve corrupted his brother…

Counterpoint is an opposites-attract forbidden romance featuring an incense-filled law firm, meddling friends, and angst and humor in (mostly) equal parts. It stars Jeremy Everett and Aaron Morin, who first appeared in the Vino and Veritas story Booklover, but Counterpoint is a standalone novel.

Review: The Stubborn Apprentice (13 Kingdoms #2) by H.L. Day

Rating: 5🌈

I’m so enamored of this series. From that rich, gorgeous cover to the layered, incredibly fantastical story and characters, the 13 Kingdoms has grabbed at my heart and imagination.

From its great beginning, The Reluctant Companion, where Day lays the foundation for the series and introduces us to the main characters, Jack Shaw and Sebastian Beau.

Talk about opposites! The prickly, argumentative Jack, with his roots in a large loving farm hold family versus the vain, glorious and secretive Sebastian, with magical abilities and ex boyfriend’s who pop out at every corner. Sebastian , who’s speech is suspiciously posh with martial skills too good to be true.

We came to love them both even as they formed first an affection, then something deeper, though neither would admit it, through their various adventures together.

Now, they are off again, as we left them at the end of the last story. They’ve been hired to find a religious relic for a goodly reward (something Sebastian is always up for), and the chance they might find Jack’s missing sister.

The search for the relic and their adventures they journey through to seek it out are so fascinating and well crafted.

Of course, they stumble across more of Sebastian’s near endless list of ex-lovers, to various degrees entertainment and emotional issues from all. The journeys also produces or perhaps forces the couple to talk further about their relationship. Jack wants a clarity about Sebastian’s past that’s not been given.

The reader, of course, has more than a reasonable amount of idea of Sebastian’s identity then Jack. This isn’t going to go well, given Sebastian’s personality. Oh the anticipation! And the relationship they’ve been building!

The plot, or plots, full of action, trolls, orcs, enemies, mysteries, exes, magical characters, is just one swift-moving, ingeniously crafted tale . Full of memorable secondary characters that support our heroes so well that everything and everyone becomes a rich, breathing fantasy tapestry!

I need that third novel now! Because this one ends, as I knew it eventually would, on a bit of a heartbreaker.

I’m highly recommending this series and this story. But they must be read in the order they are written for plot and character development.

If you’re a lover of fantasy, and magical characters and romance, don’t pass this series by!

Aren’t those covers amazing?

13 Kingdoms series:

✓ The Reluctant Companion #1

✓ The Stubborn Apprentice #2

◦ The Wandering Prince #3 – 2/28/2023

https://www.goodreads.com › showThe Stubborn Accomplice (13 Kingdoms, #2) by H.L. Day | Goodreads

Synopsis:

A missing artifact. A kingdom of secrets. Two men versus a multitude of magical beasts.

Jack and Sebastian are on the move once more. This time, to the frozen mountains of Askophai in search of a kingdom’s missing artifact. The journey alone would be perilous enough, but how are they supposed to find something that no one can describe? And what does the mysterious man who can make himself invisible have to do with any of it?

Jack has enough of Sebastian’s secrets to deal with, without taking on a whole kingdom’s. He and Sebastian might be together, but Jack still has his doubts about their long-term future. Assuming they have one that is, given Sebastian’s penchant for walking them headlong into danger at every opportunity.

One thing’s for certain, they’re going to need an awful lot of luck to succeed in this mission and return home safely.

The Stubborn Accomplice is an 85k sequel that features trolls, magical knights, an unwanted orc suitor, a wizard only too familiar to one of the main characters, and two men who really need to get better at talking about their feelings. If you enjoyed The Reluctant Companion buckle up for more banter, magic, and adventures in the continuation of the 13 kingdoms series.

———-

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

Review: Kaleidoscope Sunsets (A Color of Love Novella) by V.L. Locey

Rating: 4🌈

Mega sports agent Arn Toras has been a minor staple of multiple stories, popping in to give advice, stand by his athletes, or be a fierce advocate for them when they or anything they might represent is attacked.

His appearances haven’t been long but Arn has always made a huge impact on every scene he’s in.

So it’s lovely that Locey decided to give such a strong and important character his own story.

Long known to be heterosexual and work obsessed, Arn has to undergo some major changes here in order for this story and a romance to be believable.

And in most aspects, it does.

Locey successfully builds onto a personality we are already familiar with. We meet Arn anew. Already incredibly powerful and successful, Arn is not slowing down. But his body , his lifestyle, and frankly his age, are trying too, along with his doctor.

We see a Arn who’s not trying to look to introspectively at the life he’s living, or more truthfully, not living. He’s let work preside over friends, and what family he’s got left. And it’s taking a role on his health.

Arn is realistic and someone we can relate to.

There’s always one more thing that needs to be done before you get to set down. If ever.

That one more thing is signing the next Hockey God, Anders Viklund, a young Swedish hockey player from a small fishing village. Arn is determined his agency will be the one to sign him.

That brings us to the next outstanding element of this story. Kullaka, Sweden. That’s the fishing village and hometown of the Viklund family.

I’m not sure if there’s a real village that Kullaka is a stand in for , but surely there must be. For this small charming place sings with life! From the quays with its bobbing fishing boats, to the castle at the top of the mountain, it’s Eel Festival, and the abbey, it’s a breathing, salty, laughter filled small town you are dying to walk or peddle through.

That includes the small B & B run by Mrs Maja, full of cats and clocks, Arn is forced to stay in as there’s a Eel Festival going on. A stay that becomes part of a life changing visit. This tiny house, full of ticking clocks, cats, and a merry wonderful woman is such a great element here. I loved it!

It’s just a starting point for a beginning of sea changes in Arn’s life. How he views himself and his life.

I would be close to saying I loved this story but the only aspect I’m hesitant about is the romance. Which is sort of a big issue.

Everyone and everything else here is outstanding. Foundation, characters, Arn, his personality and need for a change. Yes!

But the person who’s at the heart of that change? That for me is the weakest link here.

Anders Viklund is all young, blue eyes, gorgeous, sexy, competent hockey player. He loves his dad. He’s gay. He’s nice and kind.

Why don’t I feel like he’s got layers to him?

I never felt like there was a character there that would have had enough substance to have induced the sort of change that was pulled from Arn.

Maybe a “oh know, I think I’m bi” revelation. That would be realistic here. And yes it happens. Immediately. Get that. But the rest?

Anders’ father, Lucas, he was a solid, powerful figure and one that made a significant contribution and impact. More so than his son, in my opinion.

Locey writes beautifully. So many great secondary characters and the magnificent Arn. Along with the entire village of Kullaka.

I just wish Anders had been as good as the rest or as deserving.

A Color of Love is a wonderful series and this is one more terrific installment! Check it out! I’m recommending it.

Review: Stone Wings (The Gargoyles of Arrington, Book 1) by Jenn Burke

Rating: 3.5🌈

Stone Wings, the first book in a new Jenn Burke paranormal romance series, is a quick, entertaining tale.

The premise? A old Irish family is cursed. The parents killed and their sons become gargoyles. They sleep for 100 years and are awake for 25 before returning to another 100 years slumber cycle.

Interesting story and Burke uses both English and Irish spellings for names and descriptions in keeping with her theme and universe. The family is the O’ Raghaillighs, now the O’Reillys in the US. Originally five sons, due to circumstances explained in the story, the family is down to Teague, Drew, and Rian O’Reilly.

They have been awake and now have just two years to go before they must sleep again. But the magic of the curse is off, things are going off schedule and they are worried.

Aside from the brothers, there’s a human guardian family to watch over them through the years while they slumber. The latest guardian is Josh Palleson, who’s father was guardian before him.

Burke does a interesting job with the brother Gargoyles. Each has a different look, and magical ability. Over the years they’ve adapted to human society as much as possible. One, Teague, is a police officer. Drew, the romantic lead here, is a mechanic with his own shop.

Plus there’s a hidden supernatural world of shifters, witches etc. that humans aren’t aware of.

The curse can be broken by finding true love. Like most fairytales.

However, I always had issues with that.

And I do here.

I like the gargoyles. Why do breaking curses mean giving up what’s the coolest thing about them?

Curse broken. Boom . You are now a vulnerable, non magical prey animal Congratulations.

I’m sure that’s a grand thing. Especially if , say, you or anyone you care about is at odds or maybe war with a bunch of paranormal beings.

But you be the new you.

Why does everyone think being human is all that grand? Why not something new , fairytale wise? Change the human into a gargoyle?

I don’t know. I’d like to see some fresh elements, some new territory explored.

Maybe in the next story. Burke’s series is just getting started. I’ll see where it goes.

The characters are interesting. The storyline too. And I like gargoyles. If this sounds like something you’d like, check it out.

https://www.goodreads.com › showStone Wings (The Gargoyles of Arrington, #1) by Jenn Burke | Goodreads

Synopsis:

His curse can only be lifted with true love, but can true love come from a fake date?

Being the personal assistant to a trio of cursed gargoyle brothers who sleep for a hundred years and wake up for twenty-five wasn’t a career proposed by Josh’s high school guidance counselor, but it’s a job that he’s eminently suited for. Not to mention a job his family has been doing for generations. The brothers are truly excellent bosses, but Josh is surprised when Drew offers to pretend to be his date for his high school reunion. And even more surprised by a supposedly fake kiss that feels as real as a kiss can get.

Drew and his brothers owe Josh and his family for watching over them each time they turn to stone for a hundred years, and for helping them reintegrate into the world when they wake up. The least he can do is pose as Josh’s boyfriend for a night. Even though true love can break his curse, he knows he won’t find it with Josh. Nothing that real can come from a lie. Or can it?

When the fake boyfriend situation stretches into two nights, and then more, Josh and Drew can’t fight the attraction blazing between them. There’s no harm in exploring it, right? No expectations. But when paranormal danger comes to Arrington, Josh and Drew are going to have to battle for every moment of peace…and maybe a real happily ever after too.

STONE WINGS is a 50,000 word male/male paranormal romance featuring a mechanic who happens to have wings and is a literal monster in bed, a personal assistant who’s always had a crush on him, stone skin or not, and a relationship that’s going to take a leap of faith to give the fairytale a happy ending.

The Gargoyles of Arrington series:

✓ Stone Wings #1

◦ Stone Skin – January 2023

◦ Stone Heart – June 2023

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.

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