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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

New Release Review

Jeremiah (High Rise) by Jayce Ellis: New Release Review * 2

January 21, 2020 by Denise

Jeremiah Stewart’s sexuality is no one’s business. Not that he’s hiding it. When—if—he finds the right one, he’ll absolutely introduce him to Mom. But a late-night brush with a sexy stranger in too much lip gloss has him rethinking nearly everything…

To Collin Galloway, direction is a four-letter word. Sure, he hates his job, he hates living with his parents and he really hates watching everyone move on without him. But he doesn’t know what he wants to do, long-term, and he won’t figure it out by thirsting over Jeremiah, the superhot, superintense paramedic who is suddenly everywhere Collin looks.

When Jeremiah’s faced with losing all he’s worked so hard to build, he reluctantly accepts Collin’s help. They’re both determined to stay professional…which works about as well as either would imagine. But Collin only does closets with clothes, and Jeremiah has to decide if he’s finally found the one worth bringing home to Mom.

This book is approximately 82,000 words

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Amazon

A new to me author that sounded like it had lost of angst. One main character (and cover model) was a person of color, which we need more of please, and sort of an opposites attract vibe going on.

The angst was severely lacking for me.

At 82,000 words, it is a good sized book. So I am wondering how it missed out on so much. It was a good story, but it took too long for secrets to be revealed, I never really got that Collin didn’t feel worthy- I assumed it was shyness, and the tension between Jeremiah and his best friend’s girlfriend didn’t make sense until the end, Just a lot of missed opportunities,

The story that was there was decent. And even though half the book was gone before they got together, they were some of the best sex scenes I have read. Not too long, not repetitive, a bit inventive. Well done there.

The ending was both neat and tidy- as far as the main relationship goes- but also left things unresolved.

Being that this is the start of a series, I will definitely give the next book a chance. I just hope it is meatier.

3.5 Pieces of Candy

This was a new author to me, and looking at the short backlist for Jayce Ellis, she appears to be new as an author. However, I think she did a marvelous job with several different avenues in this book.

First the #ownvoices in this book was fantastic. I could definitely tell the difference between Jeremiah as an African American man and Collin, who was Caucasian. Sometimes in books with MC’s of color, there is not a feeling of a difference, in background, in speech, even in family dynamics, and this author did an amazing job of creating those differences. Yet, in the storyline of the book, that was of little consequence, which I loved as well.

Jeremiah‘s heart was so big, and his love for his family, especially his Mama, it was obvious in everything he did. And yet, knowing that being with Collin was going to cause tension, they could not stay away from each other. It was so sweet.

Collin definitely had some issues to deal with, in regards to his own family, and I never really felt that they were. Meanwhile, there were issues still with Jeremiah that were not resolved to this reader’s satisfaction either. I know that real life doesn’t always work that way, but some were issues that were going to affect Jeremiah’s every day life and feelings with a family he’s always been close with, so I would have liked resolution there.

Jeremiah and Collin did get their HEA, and I would definitely like to read another book from this author to see how she grows as an author.

4 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3.5 stars, 4 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, new release, review, romance

Damaged Hearts: Book 1 in The Boys of Venice Beach Series by Jan St. Marcus: RB, Excerpt and New Release Review

January 21, 2020 by Denise

Tragic Pasts. Unexpected Love. Unseen Danger.

When 19-year-old military veteran Brandon Hawkins is attacked on Venice Beach by a gang of frat boys, he is saved by Michael Angelo Curtis, a passer-by. Michel Angelo was roaming the boardwalk grieving the death of his twin brother six months earlier. The two men’s unexpected encounter forges a strong bond between the damaged and lonely men.

Inviting the homeless Bran to his place for some food and a shower, 25-year-old Michel Angelo finds himself drawn to the younger man. Neither of the men is gay. But before long, their friendship morphs into something like love and takes them both by surprise.

And they have something else in common: The frat boys are out for revenge.

Book Title: Damaged Hearts: The Boys of Venice Beach, Book 1

Author: Jan St. Marcus

Publisher: SBPRA (Paperback), Blue Ascot Media (eBook)

Genre/s: Contemporary M/M Romance, LGBTQ Romance, LGBTQ Fiction

Trope/s: Hurt/Comfort, First Time Gay

Themes: Rescue Me, Romantic Thriller

Heat Rating: 4 flames

Length: 138 000 words/ 466 pages

It is Book 1 of a planned Series

Add on Goodreads

Trailer Video

youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNTDx9G8R8

Amazon US

Amazon UK

B&N 

BRANDON

But a little ways down, the pizza joint is just closing down. They have those ridiculously big slices of pizza and most people who don’t weigh at least three hundred pounds can’t finish their slices. Fuck the hot dogs. Half of a giant slice of pizza will do me just fine. Besides, trying to remember to say “catsup” instead of “ketchup” would make my brain hurt. And if I’m being honest, I do see the frat boy douchebags laughing and being all loud and douchey, but I really want to see if they’ll leave some of their slices uneaten. So I hang back a little and pretend to be looking for something on the ground. After about a minute or so, they drop their slices on the counter and start walking away. Score! I walk towards where they left their pizzas with my head down, like I haven’t noticed what they left for me. They’re about twenty feet away when one of them turns back and clocks me checking out their pizza. The fat one grabs the other one’s arm and points to me. I look up and see them seeing me seeing their pizza. Did that make sense? Fuck it. So anyway, as soon as they notice me, I kind of figure that they are going to be douchebags about their pizza, but I hold out hope. The fat one doesn’t need any more pizza, that’s for sure, but my stomach is getting the better of me, so I speed up a little bit. They’re closer and they return to the counter, beating me there by three steps.

Then the fat one, who seems to be the leader of this fucked-up pack of douchebags, picks up what’s left of his slice and lifts it up in my direction, like he’s offering it to me. Really? Maybe they aren’t such douchebags after all. I lift my eyes and start to smile. I’m going to thank him. I’m actually going to say “Thank you.” I do manage to smile as I approach because I realize that I haven’t said two words to anyone all day. He looks me in the eye and when I start to reach out my hand, he hocks a big ol’ lugey and splats it right on the pizza. Then he holds it out like I still want it. Okay, I know it’s probably gross, but I do still want it. His aim was pretty good and the glob of spit and snot has landed pretty much in the middle of the slice. But I could tear the pizza around the gross part and still have a pretty good amount of food. So I reach for it and he must have seen my eyes studying the pizza because he hocks another one and it lands on one of the good sides. He starts laughing and then his friends start laughing and they’re staring at me and laughing like it’s the funniest thing in the world. Assholes.

I turn around, about to say, “Fuck my life” again when one of the other guys apologizes and offers me his piece. It’s not as big as the fat guy’s, but it still looks good to my hungry young ass. And I can’t believe I am so hungry that I start to walk back over and take it, but I do. You can probably guess that he does the same thing his leader does and hocks a lugey and spits on his piece, too. My stomach growls with as much anger as I am feeling and I turn around and start walking back towards the boardwalk. It’s going to be a long night.

Their laughing stops and I hear a deep voice talking to them. “Why would you do something like that? What kind of asshole do you have to be to fuck with someone who is obviously hungry?”

As I turn around, I see the fat guy step in front of the other guy, who is six inches taller, and the frat-boy leader guy speaks in this bullshit little sing-song voice: “What business is it of yours, asshole?”

The guy just stands there, hands by his sides, not seeming to be bothered by the fact that there are three of them. Then he laughs. He looks right at the fat-assed guy and laughs.

If you cut out probably half of this book, my review would go up by at least a star. But since you can’t, let’s talk about it.

This book is loooooooooooong. 450 pages long. And while I love long books, they have to say something. The words need to move the story along. The words should actually answer several fairly big things in the book. And with all of those words- the ending should bee satisfying. Not tied up in 5 pages.

And it started out so good!! Michelangelo basically rescues homeless Bran from 3 frat boys who are just tormenting him. Then he takes him home, feeds him, clothes him and offers he the spare room for however long he wants.

I mean, a stretch, but ok. Michelangelo is lonely and he is a good guy. He seems like the hero type. And Bran desperately needs and wants someone to care about him. And they keep it platonic (we’re not gay!) for a while.

But then… the frat boys who started it all want retribution. Michelangelo recorded the whole thing and it went viral. By whom? We never find out. What follows is so convoluted it was eye rolling.

NSA, FBI, private investigators, a rug merchant? I don’t even know.

Because of those things, Michelangelo is told by his handler to go on vacation for 5 days. Specific, but ok. Of course he knows a private pilot who just happens to be flying to Hawaii. And since Michelangelo rented a 6 bedroom air b&b, he invites the pilot, co-pilot, pilot’s friend and the flight attendant to stay with them. What?

So many unanswered questions. Such a lame ending, So many words that DID NOTHING. It did have 4 words that made me want to throw my Kindle. “I love you, dude”. Dude? DUDE? ARGH!

Unless you are looking mind numbing to put yourself to sleep, give this a pass. Which is so unfortunate because it had great potential.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Jan has been a professional writer since he 15 and got a job writing for a local paper in the Washington, D.C. area. Since that time, he has travelled the world and enjoyed a myriad of experiences, meeting interesting people and sharing epic experiences. He is currently a full-time professional photographer and completed his first novel, DAMAGED HEARTS, the first book in a series partially inspired by his experiences living and working in Venice Beach, California.

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Filed Under: Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: author, blog tour, Blog Tours, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, gay, Jan St. Marcus, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Tough Guy (Game Changers Book 3) by Rachel Reid: New Release Review * 2

January 20, 2020 by Denise

They have nothing in common—so why does Ryan feel most like himself whenever he’s with Fabian?

Pro hockey star Ryan Price may be an enforcer, but off the ice he struggles with anxiety. Recently traded to the Toronto Guardians, he’s determined to make a fresh start in the city’s dynamic LGBTQ Village. The last thing he expects to stumble upon in his new neighborhood is a blast from his past in the fabulous form of Fabian Salah.

Aspiring musician Fabian loathes hockey. But that doesn’t stop him from being attracted to a certain burly, ginger-bearded defenseman. He hasn’t forgotten the kiss they almost shared back in high school, and it’s clear the chemistry between them has only intensified.

Fabian is more than happy to be Ryan’s guide to the gay scene in Toronto. Between dance clubs and art exhibits—and the most amazing sex—Ryan’s starting to feel something he hasn’t experienced in a long time: joy. But playing the role of the heavy on the ice has taken its toll on his body and mind, and a future with Fabian may mean hanging up his skates for good.

Amazon

A while back everyone was raving about Heated Rivalry, book 2 in this series. I finally bought it and I was so glad I did. So when this one came up to be reviewed I was all over it.

Same author. Same theme (hockey). TOTALLY different stories. I loved it.

We met Ryan very briefly in book 2. Enough to know that he gets traded every year and he hates flying. Those things haven’t changed and this time his new team is in Toronto.

On the ice, Ryan is “the enforcer”. His job is technically to defend the other players, but really it is to fight someone on the other team. And he hates it. In reality, he is this anxiety ridden teddy bear who thinks he isn’t worthy of anything. Ugh, he broke my heart.

Many times when there is a character like this who is self deprecating, you kind of want to slap them. How can they not see that they are hot, or talented, or loved or a great person? But not Ryan. I felt his despair and how little he thought of himself. I just wanted to cuddle him and pet him. He broke my heart. He didn’t even hide that he was gay. It’s just that no one seemed to care.

And Fabian, musician who hates hockey- for good reason. I wanted to not like him. But it was impossible. He was so likable! Unapologetically fem without being over the top or throwing it in your face. He was just comfortable with who he was and didn’t care if you didn’t like it. So the total opposite of Ryan.

Watching Fabian really take care of Ryan was just so swoony. Teaching him that sex can be fun. That it is ok to laugh. That it is about only the two of them together and no one else.

There are definitely some laughs- Fabian’s friends are hilarious. And I really loved Ryan finally connecting with a team member and becoming friends with him. This guy needed all the love he could get.

We get a well placed cameo of Ilya (book 2) as well as Ilya and Shane.

After reading these two books, I cannot wait to go back and read book 1. Because even though they are very loosely interconnected, all are stand alones.

4.5 Pieces of Candy

So, I read this for an entirely different reason than Erin. I had not read any of the previous series. In fact, I don’t read hockey books, because as much as I am a sports fan, hockey has never been one of those sports. However, not only did I enjoy the entire book, but I even enjoyed the hockey bits.

Fabian and Ryan were just perfect together. I loved that they had known each other as teenager, and appreciated each other as people before they were separated. Otherwise, the likelihood that they would have been able to connect as adults was pretty slim.

Watching Ryan transition into the man that he wanted to become was great. He wanted to have friends, wanted to connect, and wanted to feel better about himself. He never wanted to be the enforcer. He was a gentle soul, who wanted to enjoy his time playing professional hockey, as much as he did when he played with the kids.

Fabian was a perfect complement to Ryan, and Ryan a perfect complement to Fabian. They just worked really well.

I will absolutely read more of this author’s works, and want to go back and read the first book in the series.

4.5 Pieces of Candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Denise, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 4.5 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, Rachel Reid, review, romance

Fire and Onyx (Carlisle Deputies Book 5) by Andrew Grey: Exclusive Guest Post, Excerpt and Release Day Review

January 20, 2020 by Denise

 

Andrew Grey is stopping by today (Yeah!) to talk about his newest book in the Carlisle Deputies series, Fire and Onyx. He’s brought a character profile on Wes, the MC who is raising his nephew. Check out the profile as well as the 4 star review on it. Enjoy!

 

A Carlisle Deputies Novel

Undercover sheriff’s deputy Evan Whittaker is close to infiltrating a vicious local gang. He just needs to find an opening. Instead, he finds Wes Douglas, a web designer who is raising his irresponsible brother’s son. Wes agrees to help with a stakeout, but he pays the price when his home is destroyed in a shootout.

Evan’s always been a loner, but when he invites Wes into his home, living together feels right, and the two men only grow closer as they adapt to each other’s lives and rhythms. A future as a family looks brighter by the day, but all of that could collapse when Wes’s brother—and his connection to the drug dealers—crashes into the life they’re carefully building.

Title: Fire and Onyx

Author: Andrew Grey

Series: Carlisle Deputies #5

Genre:  M/M Contemporary Romance/Law Enforcement

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Release Date: Jan 14, 2020

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Dreamspinner Press

Character Profile

Full Name:   Wesley Douglas

Nickname (if applicable):   Wes

Age:  22

General physical description:  slim, lanky, and bright eyed.

Hometown:  Carlisle PA

Type of home/ neighborhood:  lower middle class

Relationship status:  Single

Current family:  Mom, dad, brother, and nephew.

Family background (parents, previous marriages, etc.):  Wes lives at home and takes care of his irresponsible brother’s child.

Friends:  A few from school

Relationship with men:  He’s had a few, but mostly his effort is taken with raising his nephew

Relationship with women:   None

Job:  Web designer

Dress style:  Casual

Religion: Not if he can help it

Attitude to religion:  Neutral

Favorite pastimes:  Playing with his nephew

Hobbies:  None really.

Favorite foods:  Whatever he can grab when he isn’t looking after the baby.

Strongest positive personality trait:  Loyal, hard working

Strongest negative personality trait:  Fear of getting hurt

Sense of humor:  Definitely.  Desperate to laugh

Temper:  Sometimes

Consideration for others:  He’s willing to put himself behind his nephew and raise him.

How other people see him/her:  Most people don’t see him as anything other than a nerd.  But Evan sees so much more.

Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story:  Nurturer and caring.  He puts other ahead of himself.

Ambitions:  To build his own family.

Philosophy of life:  What you put out comes back to you.

Most important thing to know about this character:  He is an amazing parent and blossoms with love and support.

Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?  I thin k they will love him.

“Yeah, but you need a diaper because you forgot to bring extras, right?” Evan winked. “I have a few in my trunk.” He slid out of the booth. “I’ll be right back.” He jogged out of the restaurant, and Wes was beginning to wonder what the heck this ruse was about. Evan was a decent guy, and Wes had seen his badge so he knew he was a real cop and not some guy trying to run a scam on him or something.

Greyson gnawed on his cookie and fussed, squirming in the high chair until Evan got back. Then he grinned and played keep-away with his cookie again, smiling each time Evan reached for it so he could pull it away.

Wes nearly swallowed his teeth when Evan handed him a diaper. “Okay, you have these in your trunk. Why? In case you arrest a baby for poop-and-run?”

Evan actually smiled at his joke. “No. I have a box of general things in the back, and a few diapers are in there. One of my friends works for children’s services, and he has a list of things that he wants us to carry so we can be prepared whenever we encounter children. There’s a stuffed bear in there and a small blanket.” He shrugged. “You never know.”

“Did you get the info you needed?” Wes asked as Evan began to eat, seemingly much more at ease than he had been.

“Yup.”

Wes ate his salad. He loved the ranch dressing they had here, and when he was done, Nadine cleared the dishes and brought his sandwich and some more dressing for the fries. He handed one of them to Greyson, who gummed it happily, grinning and sometimes waving his fry around.

“Does he always do that?”

Wes shrugged. “He isn’t really hungry, but he needs something to do, so a fry or two will keep him happy. And hopefully he won’t start fussing until it’s nearly time for us to go.” There were always limits to the amount of time he was capable of sitting relatively quietly. “I’d ask you about your work, but I don’t know if you want to talk about it.” It seemed strange with how cagey Evan was being.

Wes is living with his mom and dad, raising his brother’s almost one-year-old son. He has guardianship of baby Grayson, but if it were up to him, he’d have his brother sign his rights over and adopt him himself. Unfortunately, his brother uses the baby as a “just in case”, he’s needed to help him gain something. It’s disgusting, but Wes doesn’t try to push, for fear that he’d take the baby and leave out of spite. Their parents sometimes seemed like decent people, but other times, just not… I never warmed up to them.

When Wes starts suspecting that his brother is getting in with the wrong crowd, it’s right at the same time Evan is trailing a crew that he suspects is running drugs in Carlile. When they run into each other not once but twice, Evan thinks that he Wes can be of some help to see if he can get an IN with his brother, and Wes hopes that Evan can help his brother get OUT. If only it were that easy.

When a shootout happens in front of Wes’s house and a fire leaves him temporarily homeless with baby Grayson, but thankfully, Evan is there and ready to offer the cute guy and his baby a place to be safe. Unfortunately, they both underestimate Wes’ brother and his importance and involvement of what’s been going on.

I don’t want to give too much of the story away, because there are some twists that I didn’t see coming and it shocked me. But like all the guys in this series, if you enjoy a hot dad (or uncle that turns into Dad), babies, hot cops, lots of action, both in the streets and in the bedroom, and a sweet ending that’ll leave you wanting more… don’t pass this one up! It doesn’t disappoint!

4 pieces of eye candy

Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing)  He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Author Links

Amazon Author Page

Barnes and Noble Page

Dreamspinner Press

Facebook

Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey

Goodreads

Twitter @andrewgreybooks

Website

Please Be Sure To Stop by His Website to See All of His Works

**** Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book from RBTL Book Promotions and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I will leave my Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. *****

 

Filed Under: Author Guest Post, Blog Tour, Book Excerpt, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Exclusives, TCO Reviewer: Jennifer Tagged With: 4 stars, author, blog tour, book, Book Excerpts, Book Reviews, excerpt, exclusive, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn: Audio Book Review

January 7, 2020 by Denise

Can a priest and a rock star obey love’s call?

Seventeen years ago, Jasper Hendricks and Nicholas Blumfeld’s childhood friendship turned into a secret, blissful love affair. They spent several idyllic months together until Jasper’s calling to the Catholic priesthood became impossible to ignore. Left floundering, Nicky followed his own trajectory into rock stardom, but he never stopped looking back.

Today, Jasper pushes boundaries as an out, gay priest, working hard to help vulnerable LGBTQ youth. He’s determined to bring change to the church and the world. Respected, admired, and settled in his skin, Jasper has long ignored his loneliness.

As Nico Blue, guitarist and songwriter for the band Vespertine, Nicky owns the hearts of millions. He and his bandmates have toured the world, lighting their fans on fire with their music. Numbed by drugs and fueled by simmering anger, Nicky feels completely alone. When Vespertine is forced to get sober, Nicky returns home to where it all started.

Jasper and Nicky’s careers have ruled their lives since they parted as teens. When they come face to face again, they must choose between the past’s lingering ghosts or the promise of a new future.

Audible

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Okay, full disclosure. According to my Amazon buying history, I purchased this book July 25, 2017. That being said, it has languished on my TBR since then. I think mostly because I was afraid of the angst that I anticipated would come with it. I am not an angsty reader generally (I leave those books to Erin 🙂 ), I generally want as my friends would say “puppies pooping rainbows”. I had heard many times how good this book was, but was a bit scared to read it.

Yeah, yeah…I was wrong. 🙂 When I found out it was on Audible, I knew it was time, and now I am just sorry I waited so long…Although that being said, Michael Ferraiuolo‘s narration was once again, completely on point. Fantastic job.

It was definitely hard to read/listen to the drug portions of the book, even about Nicky shooting up (had an ex that did this, so…) but the authors did a fantastic job of taking that line, crossing it just enough to engage, but not so much that it squeaked me out. My heart hurt for Nicky, and how much he went through, and how hard it was for him to make himself stay clean. He was determined, and it showed.

Meanwhile, at the outset, you would not have assumed Jasper was the one who broke Nicky’s heart, or that he could be a Catholic priest, working with LGBTQ+ children while being out himself. However, he did all that, and the authors made it seamless. They didn’t put them back together instantly (this is a long book!), they took their time, brought them back together as the friends they once were first, and let them find their way back to each others’ hearts as each misunderstanding, argument, or painful memory was cleared.

I really did love this book. It was so unique, and hit so many buttons. Meanwhile, the narrator did what always makes a difference for me when I am listening, let me know through his voice, which character, MC or not, was speaking. Michael knocked it out of the park on this narration, and I’m so glad that he was my first introduction to this book. It allowed me to just enjoy it, rather than worry that I was going to be crying in the corner. (Which by the way, I did a little…but the authors gave me my HEA so all is well.) 🙂

Story:

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Narration:

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Filed Under: Audiobook Reviews, Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Denise Tagged With: 4.5 stars, Audio Book, author, book, Book Reviews, gay, Indra Vaughn, Leta Blake, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, review, romance

Interpretive Hearts (Dreamspun Desires Book 94) by Amanda Meuwissen: Quick Review

January 7, 2020 by Denise

Love is easy once you learn the steps.

In the competitive world of dance, Teddy was a flawless performer and hardass choreographer who students feared and admired in equal measure. But hip surgery ended the glamour and drama, and now Teddy is recovering at his beach house, lost and listless.

Until he meets Finn, his neighbor, who is too perfect, gorgeous, and kind to exist—but very ill timed. In a seaside town as small as theirs, they can’t avoid each other, especially since Finn is also Teddy’s new physical therapist. But Teddy isn’t the man he used to be, and though Finn flirts shamelessly with him, Teddy can’t believe a has-been dancer is worthy of someone so young and full of life.

Finn’s sunny smile is also hiding heartache. Pursuing Teddy challenges both his professionalism and his self-preservation, but if he can convince Teddy to trust him, maybe they both can heal.

Amazon

I read the blurb and got excited! Angst! Drama! But really, not so much.

It was a sweet, easy to read story with very likable characters that should have and could have been so much more angst driven drama. Teddy- former professional dancer and then professional choreographer- has retired after hip surgery. He is mad. He didn’t want to retire, but he has. To his house on the beach. But he hates sand. (cue Anakin Skywalker joke)

Finn is hiding his pain with a super cheery exterior. And interior. He seems to only let himself mourn and feel on a specific anniversary.

Finn is young and optimistic, Teddy is “old” and jaded. Naturally they have lots of chemistry that Teddy fights and Finn doesn’t.

There’s also a super happy dog and a bristly cat. Yes, parallels to the main characters.

There are some decent side characters- sisters and mothers and friends and in laws. The hurt/comfort was played well, but I really wanted Teddy to be more of an asshole about his situation. OR for Finn to tell him that he could still choreograph. It was just a bit too tidy in the end. If it is going to be tidy at the end, at least make it super messy before that.

It’s a decent read, but a bit forgettable.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Filed Under: Book Review, New Release Review, Quick Reviews, TCO Reviewer: Erin Tagged With: 3.5 stars, author, book, Book Reviews, gay, lgbtq, m/m romance, mmromance, new release, review, romance

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Cover for Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

We are two chicks who love books (m/m romance with an HEA) and enjoy our eye candy. http://twochickso

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

5 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨PREORDER NOW: PARAYZE by @jj_asher_writes releasing July 13th! #PreOrderHere mybook.to/paralyzeWhy you will love this book…🔥Forbidden🔥Brother's Best Friend🔥Age Gap (21/34)🔥Forced Proximity 🔥Opposites Attract 🔥Grumpy/Sunshine🔥Bi-Awakening 🔥Hurt/ComfortCarey—twenty-one, flirtatious and sun-kissed, chasing a place that feels like home. His latest bright idea? Fly halfway across the world to a town he hardly remembers, to crash for the holidays with his estranged older brother who he's scarcely seen in the past sixteen years. Only to arrive on his doorstep to find that brother AWOL and the entire contents of his apartment strewn across the front lawn of the apartment building.Tek—thirty-four, exhausted, and barely holding it together. Deserted by his best friend and business partner, he's left to carry the weight of a tattoo shop in the aftermath of an affair that sent staff numbers from four to one in the space of a single afternoon. He keeps his world small, and his hookups controlled on purpose. Then Carey walks in like a damn storm, making Tek question everything he ever knew about himself. Including why he can't stop thinking about the golden tan of another man's stomach. Tek turns Carey away but desperation rewards his persistence with a job offer, and boundaries start to blur. Tek knows better. He's spent the last decade with the world at arms length with iron clad rules that he breaks for no one, especially not the sunshine-smiling younger brother of his runaway best friend. But the more Tek resists, the more Carey leans in, and the line between right and wrong starts to look too appealing not to cross.Abandonment may have brought them together, but loneliness is what keeps them close. And the one thing Tek swore he'd never reach for again might just give him the extra strength he's always needed. ✨INFLUENCERS: Sign up to release events here: bit.ly/PARALYZESIGNUP#comingsoon #jjasher #mmromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

6 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨It’s cover reveal day for DON’T FALL by @authoremlindsey releasing July 1st!#PreOrderNowa.co/d/00RZxM7KWhy you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Enemies to Lover🔥Forced Proximity🔥Only One Bed🔥Praise Kink🔥Grumpy/Sunshine🔥Grumpy falls first🔥Hate Sex🔥Best Friend's Brother🔥MM Romance That’s it. My neighbor has to die. There’s no other way around it. The man must be killed—and I’ll even find a way to do it gently, but this cannot go on.Okay, maybe I’m a bit dramatic, but living next to my brother’s best friend who decided to befriend the crows that spend all week spreading garbage across my lawn is not what I signed up for.I wanted quiet.I wanted peace.I wanted to stop fantasizing about the gorgeous man I couldn’t stand.Unfortunately for me, North is a big presence with an annoyingly sunny smile and a way of making life sound like it’s worth living. And as a widower who wants to spend the rest of my life wallowing, the last person I want around is one who makes me question my new life’s purpose.But these feelings can’t be real, can they? I had my great love, and I lost him. So that’s supposed to be it for me.Isn’t that the way things go?I can’t seem to stay away from North, even when I know I should. And when he starts to make me feel like maybe there’s another happily ever after out there, I find that as cautious as I’ve taken each step, I’m on the verge of falling once more.Don’t Fall is the first book in the small town, enemies to lovers, heavy yearning, MM romance series, Storm Season. It features a virgin EMT whose smile is hiding a lot of things, a disgruntled, grieving writer who just wants solid sleep and a good meal, neighborhood crows wreaking havoc, cooking lessons, hurt/comfort, and a toe-curling happily ever after.✨INFLUENCERS: Sign up here for this amazing release: bit.ly/DONTFALLSIGNUP#coverreveal #emlindsey #mmromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

7 days ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨EXCERPT: DEVIATE ME by @daphne.thorne.author releasing May 27th! #PreOrderHere a.co/d/0footXlx Damien jumps out of his bed and quickly crosses the room. His soft, naked steps on the hardwood floors remind me of when we were just kids. When he’d sneak from his bed into mine, so that I could shelter him from the loud arguments our parents had all the time. And that’s exactly what he does now; he crawls into my bed.Oh, no . . . Holy shit.I stop breathing as he gets under the covers and curls into a ball next to me, nuzzling his face in my neck. It’s been years since he’s done this. We were both children when it started, and it was a completely innocent thing. It was normal to wrap my arms around his tiny body and let him sleep where he felt safe. Even when we were much older and we’d already run away from home, he’d done this when he’d felt really upset. And I never thought anything of it.This time, however, is different. I can’t stop my skin from erupting into goosebumps, and my heart from beating hard against my ribcage. I can’t stop the rush of blood towards my groin either, which is probably the worst part. Damien’s breath is hot against my skin, and he smells heavenly. His scent reminds me a lot of honey and mint.Fucking Jacob chose his nickname pretty well . . .#mmmromance #daphnethorne #spicyromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
My review:Hat Trick by EM Lindsey After reading book 1, I couldn't wait to read about the other brothers. We knew from book 1 that it was going to be Micah and Vanya. They had started dancing around each other in book 1.Man, Micah is DAMAGED. Not only his childhood, but his adulthood as well. And then he tops it all off with a stalker that he swears isn't a stalker but ya, he's a stalker.Vanya has nothing but heart eyes for his pretty little goalie. But, in my opinion, takes way too much crap from Micah. But he never gives up. He slows down and steps back but never gives up. Gotta give him patience and tenacity points.When things begin to escalate with the stalker, Vanya always seems to be there to help- much to Micah's chagrin. Remember, always treating Vanya like crap. Which killed me because he is such a teddy bear!We meet one of Vanya's brothers and can we say stereotype Russians much?Although Micah did soften up in the end and Vanya got the love he deserved, there was still a little too much I didn't like. I really hope book 3 is better.3 pieces of eye candy ... See MoreSee Less

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Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy

1 week ago

Two Chicks Obsessed with Books and Eye Candy
✨Let’s celebrate! It’s release day for HAT TRICK by @authoremlindsey! Grab it in KU!#OneClickNowa.co/d/0io1BhPZWhy you need to #ONECLICK this book…🔥Friends to Lovers🔥Only One Bed🔥Sexual Awakening🔥Hockey Goalies in love🔥Grumpy/Sunshine🔥Hockey Bro Banter🔥Praise Kink“For five million dollars, would you send a relative to jail?”"Bud, I would pay five million dollars to send a few there."Problem number one: Almost everything the world thinks they know about me is a lie.Problem number two: Two people know the truth.Problem number three: One of those two is a stalker and he's having a blast using that informationagainst me to get his way.The good news is, the second person who knows the truth about who I am seems pretty dedicated totaking my stalker down.The bad news is, it’s NHL goalie Vanya Maximov, and he and I had a one night stand that I can’t stop thinking about. And while Vanya might be walking sunshine so bright he can make even my blind ass see light, we have no business being together.I’m a mess, and while Vanya is everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, he deserves better than me.If only he was willing to listen to reason. If only he was less stubborn and able to give up on a lost cause.But with his ability to give me exactly what I want—a little pain with my pleasure—and his refusal to treat me like I’m fragile, something dangerous starts happening.I’m beginning to think that maybe—just maybe—he’s right, and I am worth everything he sees.Hat Trick is the second book in the Punk as Puck spin-off series, Legends and Fury. It’s a high heat, friends to lovers romance with a sunshine NHL goalie who also might be a golden retriever in disguise, a PPHL goalie with big black cat energy, a stalker, and no faith in himself, hooking up in a friend’s car, praise and pain, high stakes romance, hockey bro banter, tons of chirping, and the swooniest happily ever after.#newbookalert #emlindsey #mmromance The Author Agency ... See MoreSee Less

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