Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Release Day Review

Aisle Be There (Runaway Grooms Book 1) by Charlie Cochet: Release Day Review

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They say your wedding day is the beginning of your happily ever after.

But I’m pretty sure they never stood on a sweltering Florida beach getting ready to promise forever… only to change their mind at the last minute and be assaulted by a crustacean while fleeing the scene.

Once upon a time, I was a respected Navy officer. A guy who made a career out of managing chaos.

Now, I am the chaos, a groom on the run from my ex-fiance and his dad’s goons. Oh, and the guy driving the getaway car? That would be my ex-boyfriend, Jett.

Gorgeous. Brilliant. A guy I couldn’t help falling in love with twelve years ago.

The guy I realize I’ve always loved.

Did I mention he’s also a famous rock star on a sold-out summer tour?

This situation has disaster written all over it. But if I can manage the chaos, maybe I’ll get my happy ending after all.

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I’m a big fan of Charlie Cochet. I was hooked from the first page of THIRDS Hell and High Water. And I’ve really enjoyed her other series. This one is loosely connected to the Kings Security series, which is fun and you don’t need to have read them to read this.

But…

The contemporary series are just starting to look too much alike to me. Was it a fun book? Sure! Likeable characters? Yup. Laugh out loud moments? Absolutely. And it was a good second chance romance.

There was also a fear of certain animals, pratfalls, 80’s music and a lovable main character who seems to constantly be in competition with his siblings. I’ve read that. From this author. A few times.

I did really enjoy the second chance romance. Jett and Gage dated before Jett was the lead singer of a famous band. His dead father’s famous band. By complete coincidence, Gage ends up in Jett’s arms again. And he agrees to go on tour with them for a month as Jett’s (fake) boyfriend.

Jett and Gage together were fun. There’s no doubt about that. They seem to have picked up right where they left off. Except they have the bonus of some maturity and experience. Even with that maturity and experience they do dumb things. No spoilers. But it’s really time to move past that plot device. Especially men who are pushing 40 who know better.

A fun, enjoyable read. Just don’t expect anything new.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

The Loner (The Vers Podcast Book 1) by Riley Hart: Release Day Review

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Declan
As a founding member of The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, I’m The Loner—quieter than the others, and except for them, I don’t let myself get too close to people. Most of them just let you down anyway, or maybe it’s just that something about me chases people away.

Infrequent, no-strings-attached hookups have always worked for me. Who knew my favorite one would become such a popular movie star? But Sebastian Cole and I made it work, meeting up whenever he was in Santa Monica and in the mood—until he called it off when he got a serious boyfriend. A boyfriend he later found in bed with another man.

Now Sebastian is back in California, taking a break from acting. He needs a friend, and for whatever reason, he decides that should be me. We’ve known each other intimately for years, and yet we’ve never spent much time together with our clothes on. When he starts taking me places, it feels suspiciously like dates…and surprisingly, I like it.

Despite our differences, Sebastian’s lonely, like me. The more we hang out, the more I realize I’ll never get enough of him.

A loner dating a celebrity doesn’t make much sense. I don’t know how to be someone’s boyfriend, let alone be in the public eye. But to call him mine, I’ll need to leave the past behind and finally allow myself to move forward with him.

The Loner is an opposites attract romance about a movie star rethinking his career and a bar owner/podcast host who isn’t fond of most people. Expect Southern California sun, swoon, found family and once-in-a-lifetime friendships.

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What a great start to a new series. AND because there are 4 best friends, we kind of don’t have to wonder who is going to get their HEA next.

The series starts with Declan. Ten years ago a hook up turned into a semi regular hookup. Declan was a bartender and Sebastian was an actor trying to make it. Which he did. But still had semi regular hookups with Declan because being out in Hollywood doesn’t necessarily mean being OUT. Eventually they drifted apart because Sebastian got a Hollywood approved boyfriend.

And 10 years later he walks into Declan’s bar once again. This time, Declan is the owner.

I loved Sebastian. Hoe he got to do what he loved, but he was also questioning if that was all he wanted to do. Realizing that friendship can be fickle when you become a celebrity. And being a homogenized Hollywood version of “acceptable gay” really kind of sucks.

Rattling around his big house he figures out that he really doesn’t have friends. Which, really, I can totally see happening. Starting life as a closeted gay person doesn’t lead to a lot of lifelong friendships. So when people then wanted to be his friend, it wasn’t necessarily for the right reason.

Declan has friends. Exactly 3 and that was enough for him. But Sebastian convinces him to be his friend. And with that, they end the sexual side of their relationship. Declan is a grumpy Gus who doesn’t want to be wooed by Sebastian’s charms. The problem is, Sebastian doesn’t even realize how charming he is.

So they do the dude bro thing and hang out, grill, drink beer, etc. Friends. But the more they get to know each other, the more the friend thing blurs.

But that is one of the things I really liked about it. That they had TEN YEARS of being hook up buddies who knew practically nothing about each other. And getting to know each other lets them each mature a bit past thinking only with their small heads.

Declan’s 3 best friends are fun too. Their dynamic is a little bit overboard for me with the way they constantly mock each other. But that seems to be when all 4 are together. When Declan is with just Parker, his bestest best friend, they are way more real. I want to see more real with the 4 guys. And stop calling each other stupid names. It’s like they revert back to being 15.

Anyway. The romantic love relationship between Sebastian and Declan was very organic. It made sense what they were doing and the path they were headed down. AND without the big, cliché misunderstanding that leads to a break up thing. That’s so tired.

I’d love to see more of these guys. Partly because we didn’t get to see them together while Sebastian was working. That will be an interesting dynamic.

Looking forward to the other three guys finding their happiness.

4 pieces of eye candy

Twilight Heist by Katherine McIntyre: RB, Release Day Review

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Heist rule number two? Never fall for a lone wolf.

A blast from Tuck’s circus past draws Tuck and the charming lone-wolf hacker, Leo, into a dizzying web of passion, secrets, and betrayal.

When the circus comes calling, Tuck is helpless to the lure, and this time, his old troupe’s in trouble. Their attempt to leave Reynauld Industries ended with a hit on them, courtesy of the deadly mercenary group, the Stockyard. Tuck can’t sit idly by, and as the resident stealth operator for the Outlaws, he’s in a unique position to help.

Leo’s a lone wolf hacker, and no amount of his best friend’s pleading, Tuck’s flirty smiles, or interesting jobs will sway him into working with the Outlaws. At least, until they land this one. After growing up in the hellish Stockyard, he’s wanted to take them down for years, and this is the Holy Grail of opportunities. Only problem? The Outlaws can never know about his history with them.

When Leo and Tuck start working together, a chemistry emerges that neither of them can deny. Leo’s mantra of “one and done” falters the moment Tuck shows him a care and steadfastness he’s never experienced before, and the more time they spend with each other, the more he doesn’t want to give up the first man he’s started to fall for. However, if the Outlaws discover his past or the Stockyard finds him first, Leo will end up one of the bloated corpses they’ve left lining the Chicago River.

Title: Twilight Heist

Author: Katherine McIntyre

Genre: M/M Romantic Suspense

Series: Outlaws #2

Release Date: January 19, 2023

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Cover Designer: BookSmith Design

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Midnight Heist (Book 1)

Twilight Heist is book 2 in the Outlaws series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend book 1, Midnight Heist first. This author has such a great gift for storytelling, and her backlist covers quite a few different genres, so if you are in the mood after this, grab some others. (I definitely recommend checking out the Chesapeake Days series.)

In this book, we learn a lot more about Tuck, and his backstory.  As a tightrope walker it helped his ability to move carefully and quietly, and was out for revenge. Meanwhile, Leo, the hacker, is essential to the operation, and himself is out for his own revenge. They definitely had some issues to work through on their way towards their happy ending. Trust is a two way street, and when it’s broken, quite difficult to get back.

Lots of action in this series, and this one packs quite a bit in. However, as always with this author, character development is so well done. You really begin to understand the motives behind their actions, even as they work toward their happy ending.

Well written, and filled with emotions amongst all the action.

4 pieces of eye candy

Katherine McIntyre is a feisty chick with a big attitude despite her short stature. She writes stories featuring snarky women, ragtag crews, and men with bad attitudes—and there’s an equally high chance for a passionate speech thrown into the mix. As an eternal geek and tomboy who’s always stepped to her own beat, she’s made it her mission to write stories that represent the broad spectrum of people out there, from different cultures and races to all varieties of men and women.

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Rocky Start: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 4) by Annabeth Albert: Release Day Review

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.                              .

I think I’m falling for my bodyguard co-worker. Now I need protection… from myself.

As a former SEAL intelligence officer, I’m supposed to be smart. Unfortunately, those smarts don’t apply to love. I did a nice thing and took my heartbroken fellow bodyguard out for a Valentine’s dinner. Just us bros. But my plan worked a little too well, and a night that ended with a scorching kiss has turned into the most awkward morning at the office ever. Now we’re working together as bodyguards on a remote mountain movie shoot. And we’re roommates.

I’ve never been attracted to a guy before, but something about Avery calls to every protective instinct I have. We’re not dating, but every night alone together, I fall a little deeper. It’s also Avery’s first time with a guy too, and while we’re both enjoying all sorts of new things together, I worry my heart will be broken when we return to civilization.

No matter how badly this may end, I can’t seem to stop wanting Avery. All of him. I want to see who he’ll become if he ever manages to get out of his own way. I want to be his biggest cheerleader, best friend, and the guy he comes home to. But going from secret hookup to forever after is a big ask. Are we both brave enough to take the leap?

ROCKY START is book four in the A-List Security series. It features TWO highly protective SEAL bodyguards, a double awakening, an exploration of the sexy, lacy kind, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and celebrity clients. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

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Tough Luck: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 1)

Hard Job: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 2)

Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3)

Well. Damn. **Fans self**

I’ve been a fan of Annabeth Albert for a long time and I am fairly certain I have read all of her books. This one is by far the sexiest. There were several- huh, wasn’t expecting that but yes!- moments. Which just kept me turning the pages.

Oh and the cover model? If that isn’t Malik, I don’t know who is.

This is a double awakening for this couple. Both had only ever been with women. Avery is that poor shlub that tries too hard, it seems, with women, only to be dumped again and again. Malik isn’t a serial dater and doesn’t do casual. Having come out of a long term relationship, he is fine on his own.

Avery has A LOT of internalized homophobia. Enough to beat himself up and make Malik mad. Before Malik is able to smooth his feathers. Good thing since they are on an assignment together in Colorado. And rooming together.

Like the previous books, both guys are vets. Avery lost an arm and Malik has some crippling PTSD. And while Avery sometimes feels sorry for himself, I think it’s really so that Malik will boost him up.

Watching Avery come into his own was kind of beautiful. And once he is fully accepting of himself- wow.

Like I said at the beginning, there were places this book went that I wasn’t expecting. BUT they were absolutely perfect. So well written. Not over the top at all. Very real and organic.

I savored this book, not wanting to rush through it. Avery and Malik deserved that attention.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Just Say When by Aimee Nicole Walker: Release Day Review

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Someone wants Police Chief Emilio Mendoza dead. And if his unknown assailant doesn’t kill him, pining for Sheriff Abraham Beecham just might.

Abe and Lio’s thirty-year journey has taken them from heated rivals to best friends with countless labels and pit stops along the way. Romance is the only avenue left unexplored but not from lack of love or desire.

Abe pushes people away before they can get too close, and Lio doesn’t engage in situations he can’t control. They’ve reached an impasse, and neither are willing to risk their friendship until fate intervenes, forcing them to reassess their priorities.

But when an unhinged enemy targets Lio, will their gamble be too little too late, or will their love truly conquer all?

Just Say When is a standalone romantic suspense novel within the author’s Savannah universe. This book contains mature content and is attended for adults.

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Police Chief Mendoza has made many appearances in different stories. In several of them, the nature of his relationship with Sherriff Abe Beecham has been speculated about. Finally, we get their story.

We get a lot of their background story when they tell it to Lio (Chief Mendoza’s) ez wife’s new husband over pizza. Because even though they are divorced, they are still friends and they coparent a teenage boy. Which is nice to see.

And while the story gave us, well, the background story, it would have been nice to have a non-condensed flashback version. I might have been more invested in their relationship. Not that I wasn’t, but, yanno. More development of the characters and their relationship would have been nice.

Lio’s ex wife is also dealing with an investigation that started in another book. You don’t have to read the other books though as it is easily explained again. But it’s just funny to go from this bad a$$ Chief to a guy with a kid and an exwife who is on the periphery of the police force and a best friend since childhood who is a Sheriff. Who knew he had such a tangled web.

While Abe and Lio dance around each other, we hear a little more about the investigation and meet 2 Army buddies of Abe and Lio. Another thing we didn’t know. It was nice seeing the 4 guys kick back and hang out.

What I didn’t expect from this book were the tears. Which had nothing to do with Abe and Lio’s relationship. But if you don’t cry, I will be really surprised.

A couple of things I really did like. We only get a very brief scene with Locke, and then one comment from him at another point. I like when there is character cross over, especially because they are in the same world, but I feel like, given the chance, he could take over. So I’m glad we saw him briefly and that was it.

I also liked how both guys have no problem with their sexuality and don’t need, want, or have to hide. Especially because there is a teenager in the family. A pretty cool teenager too.

There is a bit of a whodunit going on, which added some interest to the story. No spoilers, natch.

Overall, I really enjoyed these nearly lifelong best friends accept their love for each other and find happiness. Especially since they weren’t 23 years old. I love seeing older characters represented.

4 pieces of eye candy

The Humbug Holiday by Lane Hayes: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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.                                              .

Two grumpy bears and a holiday season neither will forget…

Joe

So this sexy silver fox rolls into my small New England town and buys a run-down old house in need of renovation. That’s where I come in. My job is to do some basic repairs, so he can write in peace. Yep, the hotshot is a bestselling author, but that’s not why I recognize Cameron Warren.

No worries, I won’t let a one-night stand make things awkward. I could use the work, but is he seriously asking me to help him buy a Christmas tree too?

No way.

Cameron

I’m a good-natured guy all year long, but I have to admit…I hate the holidays.

There. I said it.

This season, I’m hiding away on the opposite side of the country in a picturesque village. My family isn’t excited about my decision, and the only way to assure them I’m fine is to deck the darn halls. Or hire someone else to do it.

The handyman might not be the logical choice for an elf, but his grumpy act makes me smile. Which makes me think the holidays might not be so “bah-humbug” this year after all.

The Humbug Holiday is a bisexual, age-gap romance featuring two grumpy bears who find unexpected magic and learn to embrace everyone’s favorite time of year!

Title: The Humbug Holiday
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 35k
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday.
Tropes: Bears, Second Chance, Holiday Romance, Romantic Comedy.

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Audible – Narrated by Michael Dean

Goodreads

A playful smile ghosted over Cameron’s full lips. “You’re stubborn, but loyal. You’re extremely private, but I can’t tell if that’s a protective mechanism or defensive. You’re a loner.”

All true.

“Anything else?”

“Well…I think you have a bit of a God complex,” he replied carefully.

I narrowed my eyes. “Excuse me?”

“You’re a control freak. In a perfect world, you’d like to control or manage others’ expectations. You hate that you care what others think, but you do. That probably has something to do with the fact that you come from a good place and you don’t like the idea of anything tainting it. Big cities have a way of desensitizing. Trust me. I know how that goes.”

I was too taken aback by the ultra-personal read to reply immediately. Surprise gave way to righteous indignation and anger.

I glowered as I moved toward him. “What the fuck? You don’t know me or anything about my life or—”

“Hey, relax.” Cameron held his hands up in surrender. “It’s an observation, not an insult.”

“Well…don’t observe me. It’s creepy,” I growled. “Especially coming from someone who writes murder mysteries.”

A slow-moving pirate’s smile took over his face. “Fair point, but as you said, it’s my job to watch and take note of my surroundings.”

I cocked my head, studying his chiseled features and proud carriage in those designer duds. Everything about Cameron Warren screamed “special,” and I had no doubt that was the case. But I was still smarting after his astute analysis. I couldn’t help wondering how much of his dapper bear façade was for show.

“Hmm. Maybe. Or maybe you snoop to dodge your own reality.” I shrugged. “Just a thought.”

He arched a brow but didn’t speak.

Was it my imagination or was the air suddenly buzzing? My gaze darted to the darkening skies out the window, but the sizzle of electricity was all us. I couldn’t read any signs.

Were we joking? I mean, we were throwing some personal shit out there. We were both guilty of being borderline rude…and too familiar. It should have felt unsafe to have someone poke at me for a reaction, but damn it…it turned me on.

He turned me on.

Okay, I have a very soft spot  for grumpy bears…my dad was one. Bah Humbug! all the way for him. But he had the softest heart buried in that grumpy face that he was so well known for. So, there was zero chance I was passing up not only a grumpy bear book, but two grumpy bears and a holiday story to boot. I was not disappointed.

I will admit, I’ve not read a lot of Lane Hayes’ books…I’ve seen the error of my ways, I promise! This book just hit me in so many good ways. These two did not love the holidays, and both with very good reasons. However, those around them did (all the older ladies who would not let them just be by themselves was so funny to me!) and so because they loved those people, they “suffered” through the holiday season, with all the gruff exterior they could muster. Until they met their match in grumpiness in the other.

Joe was hit hard in the past by a former lover/boss, as well as some nasty allegations against him, and came home to essentially lick his wounds. After being in that situation, I’m sure you would want to be somewhere where people love you, appreciate you, will leave you alone a bit, and that feels comfortable. A bit like curling up with a hot cocoa under the covers.  Cameron meanwhile, needed a change of pace, a slower one in order to breathe, away from his aunts, and everyone wanting a piece of him back in California. He had his own demons to battle with regards to the holidays that had been sitting in the background for decades.

These two somehow found a way to learn to like the holidays again, through the magic of being with each other. Or at least, they probably always liked it a little, but came to realize that they did, by finding each other. It was a gradual process, but fun to see the progression.

This book wasn’t super funny, although definitely had its moments. “I picked up a red bulb and gingerly attached the hook to the tree. Okay, that wasn’t so bad.” But it just felt so good to read. Seeing these two big old grumps learning they can be happy inside, and with each other, even if they feel the need to keep up their front to the outside world for their own sanity.  Until, of course, everyone just knew they truly loved the holidays. It did my heart more good than I would have ever imagined. It’s definitely on the read again list.

4 pieces of eye candy

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not-quite-empty nest.

Connect with Lane:
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Blog: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/Lanehayesauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes

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