TCO Reviewer: Erin

Treble Maker (Perfect Harmony Book 1) by Annabeth Albert: Re-Release Review

January 19, 2021 by Denise Leave a Comment

He’s all about that bass…

Cody Rivers wants to be a music star. And this a cappella singing competition could be his best, last chance to make it happen. However, his punk style and rocker attitude don’t exactly fit in with the world of clean-cut, wholesome a cappella groups or reality music TV shows. Even worse, a bumbling bass singer from a rival group might be his undoing.

Lucas Norwood isn’t cut out to be a star. He’s content being in the background of his college a cappella group, trying not to trip over his feet while attempting to fit in with his more conservative friend group. He’s also determined not to let Cody’s barbs—or his smoking hot good looks—get to him.

When the show forces them to work together, their chemistry is undeniable, both on and off the stage. But giving into their attraction may have real consequences, especially with elimination looming. Will making their dreams come true mean losing each other?

Treble Maker was previously published. This version has received a light editing update, but otherwise it’s the same fan-favorite story. Contains two rival musicians who couldn’t be more opposite, first time feel, plenty of steam, and a guaranteed happy ending.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Treble Maker was Annabeth Albert’s first published book. It has been rereleased with very small changes. I might have read it already, but because of my fabulous memory and the amount of books I read, I don’t remember it. That isn’t a bad thing.

As such, I am going to review this as if it was her first book. Because I liked it, but I didn’t love it. And I found some parts problematic, which I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the first time around. The more you know and all that.

The scene is a reality show a cappella competition. Pitch Perfect on tv. Cody just wants to make it as a singer. If he has to gather together an a cappella group to do it, so be it. He isn’t great at sharing the spotlight though.

Lucas is the opposite. Quiet guy, part of a collegiate group. Said college is very conservative and religious and his father is a professor there who has a small amount of fame from books he has written. Lucas is gay. Even out. But he has chosen abstinence, as they are taught that being gay isn’t a sin. It’s that “gay lifestyle” that is.

This is my problematic part. Cody really pushes Lucas. Pushes him into something he said he didn’t want. Or wanted, but wouldn’t act on. BUT being that when this was first published, the idea of explicit consent wasn’t really at the forefront.

So the story is split between the competition and rehearsing for it, and Cody pushing Lucas’ boundaries.

It was a fun story overall and once Lucas was all in with the sexy times- whew! It was hot. Lucas had a little kink that Cody had no problem working with and playing to which lead to some incredibly steamy scenes.

I also enjoyed Lucas taking a stand for himself with his parents toward the end of the book. I always root for someone standing up for themselves.

If you want to know how Annabeth Albert started off, or if you just enjoy a fun story, give it a go.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Right Move: A Gay Cowboy Romance (Clean Slate Ranch Book 6) by A.M. Arthur: New Release Review

January 18, 2021 by Denise Leave a Comment

Opposites attract in this sexy, slow-burn romance, the next installment in A.M. Arthur’s fan-favorite Clean Slate Ranch series.

Levi Peletier is settled—for now. With his life on the rodeo circuit reined in, he’s content doing trick riding demos for tourists at Clean Slate Ranch and spending his off-hours with three finicky felines. It’s a life he’s grateful for, one that keeps his heart safe.

George Thompson couldn’t be less like the ruggedly sexy Levi. A onetime figure skating star, he’s hung up his skates to live in introverted anonymity in San Francisco. An effort to shake up his regular routine finds him at Thanksgiving dinner, dude ranch style, and he immediately falls in love with the gorgeous view—the wide-open spaces and big blue sky aren’t bad, either.

The country cowboy and the stay-put city boy strike up an unlikely friendship that blossoms into something more. But getting attached is a bad idea. Because the open road is calling to Levi, and it’s a call George can’t imagine answering. When the past catches up to them, this odd couple will have to decide if a future together is worth fighting for.

Amazon

Carina Press

The Clean Slate Ranch series is branching out. This time we get to know more about the twins in the upstairs apartment that we met in the previous book. And Levi, the trick rider we also met previously. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.

George and Orry are twins who are very quiet and keep to themselves. But, by association, get involved with the Clean Slate Ranch “family”. A big Thanksgiving dinner and an injured cat bring George and Levi together. Even though George is a complete introvert and is bordering on agoraphobia and Levi is outgoing and loves the outdoors.

Levi slowly romances George without even meaning to, I don’t think. But the calls and lunches are definitely romantic. Levi is hesitant because of the age difference and because George is so shy. But with Levi, he slowly comes out of his shell.

I really like how Levi was portrayed. He has done a lot of soul searching the past 4 years after a tragedy and you can tell by the way he speaks how mindful he is. “I hear you and I respect that”. Very new age-y, hippyish, but it totally works for him.

Even though we got to know George, I don’t feel like his story was fully told.

Ugh, sometimes when you are “friends” with an author, reviews can be difficult. There is nothing wrong with this book at all. It is written well, there is a good romance, hot sex, care and respect given to past traumas and current virginities. There are even cute cats. And even though I liked the book and will recommend it- especially for followers of the author and/or series, it might be time to put the Clean Slate Ranch out to pasture.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Angels in the City by Garrett Leigh: New Release Review

December 21, 2020 by Denise

A fake relationship with a stranger. An office romance with doughnuts and white knights. An addictive arrangement—friends with benefits—fast turns to love.

Jonah Gray is rich, successful, and the most eligible bachelor in the city, according to his mother, at least. But the truth is, despite her efforts to pair him off, he’s fine on his own. All he needs is a date to the Christmas ball.

Sacha Ivanov is a lone wolf, content in the cycle of long days, late nights, and anonymous hook ups, but when a chance encounter in a broken-down lift brings a gorgeous copper-haired CEO into his life, everything begins to change.

As Christmas fast approaches, a favour for a stranger blooms into something more. He doesn’t do second dates or relationships. But for kind-hearted Jonah, his angel in the city, he might just change his mind.

Angels in the City is a Christmas themed MM friends-to-lovers, forced proximity, office romance. Expect fraught days, steamy nights, and true love built around festive snacks and Christmas trees.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Fake boyfriends is always a fun trope. But these guys were strangers to fake boyfriends in 20 minutes! And then fake boyfriends to a one night stand. But they work in the same building on the same floor and share the same break room.

Sacha is a Russian expat living in London. Everyone thinks he is grumpy and scary. But Jonah saw the real Sacha when they first met. It’s the Sacha that keeps drawing Jonah in.

This was Christmas themed, but definitely not just only a Christmas book. In fact, I loved that Sacha (being Russian) doesn’t even celebrate Christmas. It’s nice to see a character that is different from the norm.

Something that surprised me- the low angst! Garrett Leigh is a master of angst! But nope, except for a mother who died when he was young and a father he doesn’t speak to, there was no drama!

Being that it was tame, there was also quite a bit about their respective jobs. Those parts were a little boring. I don’t want to sit in on meetings at my own job, let alone fictional ones.

Overall, a fairly feel good, low angst, Christmas is involved story.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Merry Measure by Lily Morton: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

December 15, 2020 by Denise

Arlo Wright’s introduction to his sexuality came when he saw his older brother’s best friend, Jack Cooper, in his sweaty football kit. Unfortunately, he didn’t have long to enjoy the revelation because he promptly knocked himself out on a table.
Relations between them have never really moved on from that auspicious beginning. Arlo is still clumsy, and Jack is still as handsome and unobtainable as ever.

However, things look like they’re starting to change when Arlo finds himself sharing a room with Jack while on holiday in Amsterdam at Christmas. Will the festive spirit finally move them towards each other, or is Arlo just banging his head against a wall this time?

From bestselling author, Lily Morton comes a warm romantic comedy set in chilly Amsterdam

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

“Sorry,” I mumble.

He chuckles. “For what? You slept well.”

“That’ll be the wine,” I say. “I didn’t think I’d drunk that much, but I was obviously being drunkenly optimistic.”

“Well, you didn’t drink heavily if you compare yourself to Mel Gibson. A vat is nothing these days.”

I laugh and groan as pain slices through my eyeballs. “Shit.” I press my fingers against my eyes. “I need some paracetamol.”

“I’ll get you some,” he says.

I force my eyes open in time to see him throw the sheets back and get out of bed. For a wild second, I think he’s naked, but then the sheet clears his middle, and I see he’s actually wearing blue-checked pyjama shorts that are hanging low on his hips. In the bathroom, he rummages through his shaving bag, and I can’t help but eye the view. Broad shoulders, narrow hips, and lots of lean muscle that reflects how much he loves running.

He paces back to me, carrying a bottle of water and two tablets. I take the tablets, gulp the water, and watch as he strides to the tea tray and switches the kettle on.

“I’ll make some coffee,” he says over his shoulder.

“Why can’t I always share a room with you?” I say plaintively. “You’re so much nicer than Tom. I was always stuck with him when I was a kid.”

“Well, it’s a fact that I don’t snore like Tom.”

“Jesus Christ,” I say with feeling, propping myself against the pillows. “I’ve never heard anything at that decibel unless it was a jumbo jet. I’m fucked if I can work out why Bee doesn’t stab him in his sleep.”

He chuckles. “It is bad. I spent a year rooming with him at uni, and at the end I must have looked like Beetlejuice.”

I laugh and reach out eagerly for the mug he hands me. I inhale the fragrant steam and look at him. “This smells good and not at all like normal hotel coffee.”

He shrugs. “This place has a cafetiere.”

“Not at all like the youth hostel, which is the last place where Tom and I shared a room. It’s also the place I hitchhiked home from rather than listen to him snore anymore.”

He laughs. “You all argue like cats and dogs. I never could understand it because we didn’t do that at my house.”

“No need when your parents can kill someone with the force of their glare,” I mutter.

He shakes his head and carries his drink over to his bed. The mug has a string and a little label hanging from it, so I’m pretty sure his drink is so powerfully healthy that it’s detoxing him through the china.

He settles back into bed. “You feeling better?”

I try a cautious shake of my head. “A bit,” I say judiciously. “Nothing that a nice greasy fry-up won’t cure. I’ll shower and get dressed in a minute and then we can go down to breakfast.”

“You sure you’re up to it?” he asks, eyeing me dubiously.

“Of course,” I say robustly. “Tom’s paid for this, and it’s probably cost more money than the European Union’s tea budget, so we’re going down there and eating every expensive morsel.”

This book was so fun!!!

Set in Amsterdam during Christmas, Tom assembles his best friends and his brother for a short holiday during which he will propose to his boyfriend, Bee. Tom’s best-best friend, Jack, and his brother, Arlo fly together from England to Amsterdam. And end up rooming together due to a mix up. No big deal, right? Except for Arlo’s gigantic crush on Jack.

I adore how so many of Lily Morton’s characters are snarky, witty, awkward, etc…but they are those things in different ways. I don’t feel like the same personalities are recycled book after book. Arlo is snarky because he is awkward, witty because he is sharp. His humor is different than other main characters.

Jack is stoic, but also warm. It seems as though he is humoring Arlo, but really he is trying to take care of him. Until the super drunken night.

No spoilers (but duh, it’s a romance with a HEA) I love that Jack didn’t hide from Tom. He’s a stand up guy who was crushing on Arlo as well and decided that Arlo was absolutely worth it.

The backdrop of Amsterdam at Christmas was just beautiful. They did fun, touristy things that really highlighted the city. All of the side characters- the other friends, the EX (dun, dun, DUN!), even their parents who show up at the end.

Sweet and Christmas-y and just wonderful.

4.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Lily writes contemporary romance novels, and specialises in hot love stories with a good dose of humour.

Lily lives in sunny England with her husband and two children, all of whom claim that they haven’t had a proper conversation with her since she bought her first Kindle.

She has spent her life with her head full of daydreams and decided one day to just sit down and start writing about them. In the process she discovered that she actually loved writing, because how else could she get to spend her time with hot, funny men!

She loves chocolate and Baileys and the best of all creations – chocolate Baileys! Her lifetime’s ambition is to have a bath in peace without being shouted by one of her family.

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Strawberry Kisses by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

December 14, 2020 by Denise

Patrick’s To Do List:
1. Tell family I’m gay
2. Make giant cake for anniversary party
3. Convince Connor to be my fake boyfriend for the weekend
4. Try to keep my hands off Connor
5. Make sure Connor doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him for the last three years

Connor’s Steps for Success:
1. Perfect pole routine for Chrome Stars
2. Continue search for perfect music
3. Survive weekend with Patrick’s family without mauling him while sharing a bed
4. Prevent feelings from exploding like a glitter bomb
5. Make sure Patrick doesn’t find out I’ve been in love with him forever

Strawberry Kisses is a 78,000 word standalone, contemporary MM romance featuring a sweet pastry chef, sassy pole dancer, a nosy but loving family, fabulous make-up, fluffy feels, and copious amounts of cake.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

New to me author! That I like! YAY! Yes, I know that is rare. Ish.

Connor and Patrick. BFF who are a bit like Mutt and Jeff. Patrick, pastry chef, doesn’t work out, big family that are definitely on the high end of middle class, quiet and a bit introverted. Connor. ballet and pole dancer, incredible body, son of a single mom, full of energy and everyone’s friend.

They shouldn’t be best friends, but they are. So when Patrick has to go home for his parent’s 50th wedding anniversary, he figures he finally has to come out to them. They are hardly surprised and they think Connor is his boyfriend.

BFF to fake boyfriend to real boyfriend! Fun!

I love how Patrick just let Connor be who he was. Slightly fem, wears make up, is a pole dancer. He won’t tolerate anyone making comments or disparaging him. It was so sweet. Even though they were “fake” boyfriends, they fell right into the roles. Probably because they were the roles they each wanted but were too afraid to say.

Until the kissing.

Patrick’s family was fun and funny and added to the story without taking it over. Some of the comments from the elderly aunts were an absolute riot! But at the same time, it didn’t drone on introducing 100 family members. Just a couple to keep it interesting.

There’s a bit of a “is this real or is this fake” thing, which both characters struggled with before they finally came to their senses. Whew!

And the epilogue was just perfect. I am such a sucker for a great epilogue.

If you are a Lily Morton fan, this book is in that same vein. Not as snarky, but similar humor, great characters and a good story line.

4 pieces of eye candy

Tic-Tac-Mistletoe by N.R. Walker: New Release Review and Excerpt

December 14, 2020 by Denise

Hamish Kenneally is moving from Australia to the US for a fresh start, beginning with Christmas at his sister’s place in Idaho. When a snowstorm diverts his plane to Montana and leaves him stranded two days before Christmas, he hires a car and drives right into a blizzard.

Ren Brooks has always called Hartbridge, Montana, and his family hardware store, home. After a few failed attempts at love, he’s resigned to being single forever—after all, no guy wants to stay in his sleepy little town for long. And after his dad’s passing earlier in the year, Ren’s Christmas is looking bleak. But when a car runs off the road in front of his property, Ren pulls the driver out and takes him home to get out of the cold.

With the storm and the holidays leaving Hamish with nowhere else to go, Ren kindly offers a place to stay. Hamish is certain he’s crashed right into a Hallmark Christmas movie, despite more car delays and road closures and the prospect of not seeing his sister for Christmas. And with help from Hamish, Ren is beginning to feel a little Christmas cheer.

These two unlikely strangers have more in common than they first realise, and after two days of Christmas decorations, cookies, and non-stop conversation, it looks like Christmas might be saved after all.

Tic-Tac-Mistletoe

NR Walker

Genre: MM Holiday Romance

Release date: November 27, 2020

Tropes:

One Aussie, one American
A snowstorm
Christmas cookies
A dog called Chutney
Laughs, tears, and all the feels

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

A totally catastrophic, unmitigated disaster.

What is a totally catastrophic, unmitigated disaster, you might ask?

Let me break it down for you real quick.

My life, my relationship, my job, my plans, my future, and this whole damn trip.

So, basically me.

Me.

I am the totally catastrophic unmitigated disaster.

Hamish Kenneally, thirty-one-year-old Australian, who quit his shitty job and sold his shitty apartment and left behind his shitty life in Sydney, packed his said-shitty life into two suitcases, and boarded a plane to spend Christmas with his sister in God-knows-where, Idaho, USA.

Well, Christmas first. Then two years, at least, in America trying to unshitify his life.

And if the trip to said God-knows-where, Idaho, was any indication of just how spectacularly extra-shitified my life was going to get, I should have turned around and stayed right where I was.

Because if the flight from Sydney to LA was bad, which it was, then the second flight, LA to Spokane, made the first flight look like a joy ride.

Because I didn’t get to Spokane, did I?

Oh no, of course I didn’t.

Because you see, Christmastime in America is in winter. Which is weird enough for this Australian. Christmas should be hot summer days at the beach, seafood and salads, beers and watching the bronzed surfers and drunk foreigners at Bondi. That is what Christmas should be.

None of this “sorry folks; to avoid flying into a massive snow blizzard, we’re being diverted to Missoula, Montana” crap the captain of the plane said when we were halfway there. Like the screaming baby in the seat next to me, or the vomiting lady in the row in front of me weren’t bad enough. Like we had any choice about which direction we were flying into.

I had no choice. I was now going to Montana. In a freaking blizzard, of all things. Ever been on a plane that flew into a snowstorm? There is zero joy in that kind of turbulence, believe me. It would also explain the screaming baby and the vomiting woman. And the man behind me saying Hail Mary’s . . . which you’d think might be comforting. But oh boy, is it ever not. Especially when he yelled the prayer every time we hit a particularly large pothole in the sky on the descent. Honestly, if this flight was a scene in a movie, you’d think it was too ridiculous to be real.

After the plane landed—to which I would have clapped and cheered like everyone else if I wasn’t stuck in the brace position after trying to kiss my own arse goodbye—we were kicked off the plane without so much as a good luck in the wrong bloody state.

So there I was, a clueless Aussie, after flying for twenty hellish-hours and now a few hundred kilometres from where I was supposed to be, trying to wrangle two overweight suitcases down the concourse, when one little wheel on my suitcase broke.

Because of course it did.

Frazzled and trying not to cry— Yes, cry. A thirty-one-year-old man can cry; shove your toxic masculinity in your cakehole and stop judging me. I was having a jetlag-fuelled shitastic day meltdown, trying to keep my shit together the best I could, and clearly not doing it very well. I was allowed a little saltwater leakage.

Anyway, getting back to my story. I tried to call my sister.

No signal.

Because of course there’s not.

So, taking a deep breath and willing myself not to spiral, I found my car rental kiosk. Finally, something is going right. “I have a car booked,” I said, trying to keep my now-broken suitcase upright with my foot while rifling through my backpack for my booking confirmation and driver’s licence. After dropping my passport and half the contents from my backpack all over the floor, then scrambling to collect it all while still trying to keep my suitcase upright, I handed everything over with a flourish of triumph. “Oh, that flight was the worst,” I said, sagging onto the counter. I was about to tell her all about my day from the ninth circle of hell when she looked up at me with that look.

You know the one.

The look of superficial appeasement before they cut you off at the knees. “I’m sorry, sir. But I don’t have a reservation under your name.”

I stared at her. My brain short-circuited and the will to live left my body. It was an actual out-of-body experience, I’m sure of it. I could see myself staring at her, mouth gaping like I’d been lobotomised.

Because of course they didn’t have my booking.

Why would they? My rental car was waiting for me in Spokane. In Washington. Not in freaking Montana.

“Oh,” I whispered, and my left eye twitched. “That’s nice.” I looked around the airport, at the line of annoyed people behind me. “Excellent. I’ve seen that movie where Tom Hanks lives in an airport. It wasn’t so bad. Could be worse. Could’ve been the one where he’s stuck on the island, I guess. Though I didn’t pack a volleyball, so that would’ve sucked.”

She blinked and tap-tap-tapped away at her keyboard. “But sir, we’ve had a lot of cancelled flights today because of the weather. I can arrange a vehicle for you, if you’d like?”

Oh, my sweet baby Jesus in a manger, why didn’t she lead with that?

NR Walker is prolific- writing so many different kinds of books, but one constant is she always has a light hearted, cute, funny rom-com style book as well. This is definitely that.

Adorable? check!
Dog? check!
Giant snow storm? check!
Forced proximity? check!
Cute, funny and sweet? check, check and check!

Ren and Hamish are so sweet. Hamish says it himself several times- it’s like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Small town, everyone knows everyone, lonely business owner, tourist (sort of) from Australia.

I don’t expect big sweeping storylines for a Christmas short. I was sweet and happy and falling in love. And you 100% get that.

In fact, as I was finishing it, I almost messaged the author to say that I wanted them to get a full book. But the epilogue was so satisfying that I don’t need it.

So curl up with some hot chocolate and smile as you read about Ren and Hamish falling in love.

4 pieces of eye candy

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

For more about N.R. Walker you can find her at: