Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Unloved (The Unlucky Ones) by Marley Valentine: Quick Review

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From USA Today bestselling author Marley Valentine comes an all new emotional, hurt/comfort, polyamorous romance.

We longed. We lost. We loved. Desperately.

I thought I had my life all figured out. But after a college football accident leaves me deaf, I was learning how to live all over again.

I expected the anger, the frustration, and the struggle to readjust, but what I didn’t expect to happen amongst the chaos, was to fall in love.

Especially not with two men.

Rough-edged puzzle pieces, Rhys, Samuel, and I were nothing but aching memories, painful realities, and hidden scars.

We were products of our pasts, abandoned and unloved, messy and complicated. Individually we had baggage; together we had mountains to climb.

But when the three of us were tangled up in one another, spilling secrets in the dark, hearts beating in sync, nothing else mattered but them.

We needed to break the cycle, because they deserved love… And who knows, maybe I finally did too.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I am such a complete sucker for angst. Add in friends to lovers, bi awakening, a throuple AND a deaf main character? It’s like catnip. And the story didn’t disappoint.

I didn’t read book 1 so everything was new to me. There seems to be quite a bit of overlap of stories with book 1 and 2, but really it’s fine if you haven’t read book 1. But you know I am going back for it!

Lennox becomes deaf without warning. He grew up in the foster system and had no idea that this was a genetic possibility. Until he took a hard hit in football and never heard again.

You could feel his fear. Fear, being overwhelmed, feeling excluded, anxiety, depression. All completely new feelings to a college football player. His best friend Samuel is there for him every step of the way. Especially since his brother took off after a bad break up. He does have a close friend group who went through foster care with him and they all rally around Lennox during this huge change.

On the outskirts is Rhys. Fresh out of rehab for the millionth time. He wants to stay sober. His sponsor is one of Lennox’s foster siblings. And Rhys has a deaf sister so he knows ASL. Sounds like the starts aligned, right?

Wrong. Samuel is still exploring being bi. Being bi with his best friend. Who is now deaf. And Rhys who is struggling to stay sober, helping Lennox learn sign language and falling for both men. And Lennox, learning how to navigate life while deaf, trying to repair his relationship with his brother, exploring a romantic and sexual relationship with his best friend AND his feelings for Rhys. It’s a lot.

And yet all of these things unfold with sensitivity and realness. No shortcuts were taken on their road to heeling and self discovery.

I adored these men together. They were absolutely made for each other.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Until We Meet Again (Roosevelt College book 2) by Christina Lee: New Release Review

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Bruce “Bones” Lanning and Emil Ettinger had a decent roommate arrangement at Roosevelt College—other than Bones leaving his dirty socks lying around—so they agree to share the same space again. Their relationship has always been ridiculous banter and competitive streaks, and they assume this year will be the same.

So why are they suddenly enjoying nights holed up in their room together?

Bones can’t figure out what’s changed, why he likes being around Emil so much and why he’s suddenly falling asleep in Emil’s bed. And as far as Emil knows, Bones is straight, so why does he seem jealous when Emil arranges a random hookup, then asks all sorts of questions about what it’s like to kiss another guy?

To put an end to his roommate’s endless queries, Emil kisses Bones, convinced he’s just goofing around. But one encounter leads to another, until Emil begins seeing Bones in a different light. Underneath the clueless, carefree facade lies a deeper emotional underpinning that allows Emil to become more vulnerable too—and maybe even admit that spending time with his roommate is the best part of his day.

Still, Emil isn’t about to become another jock’s experiment, so he makes it clear that their hookups are totally casual. Until they’re not.

*TW: References to the death of a sibling

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

If ever there was a character with golden retriever energy, it’s Bones. College football player, unknown direction for a major, no long term relationships AND living up to the pedestal his parents put his dead brother on.

Emil is pretty much the opposite. Knows what he wants to do, plays in the marching band, also a dancer, would love a boyfriend and an only child who’s parents adore him but don’t push.

Which is why after freshman year rooming together they decide to room together again. Because even though they shouldn’t get along, they do.

You know where this is going, right? But it’s cute. So cute. Especially since they already lived together for freshman year so they aren’t strangers. And Bones is one of those guys who is trying to do better after knowing better. Like when his teammate came out last year (book 1, XOXO, you know you wanna). So he checks himself. He recognizes that just because people are different from him doesn’t mean, literally, anything to him. But it’s cool to see someone actually making an effort.

Experimenting turns into fwb turns into more. All while navigating school and football and marching band and families. Emil is so great as a quiet support system for Bones when he needs it.

These guys were super adorable both together and when they were with their friends. Their budding relationship seemed very natural and didn’t offer those “omg we will be together forever and ever” thing that often makes me roll my eyes.

So although Bones has a sticky family situation, most of the book is pretty light hearted and easy reading. Perfect story for sitting on the couch with hot chocolate when it’s cold out.

4 pieces of eye candy

Sweet and Kinky (It’s a Kink Thing, Book 7) by M.C. Roth: New Release Review

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FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE M.C. ROTH

Book seven in the It’s a Kink Thing series

One video will change everything.

Wherever Isthmus and Rowes go, a horde of reporters follow, as they try to catch a snippet of everyone’s favorite actors from the hit television show Gunlover. They are best friends— sharing the screen together, along with a home and hotel rooms. But one fan video changes their lives forever when it accuses them of being in a D/s relationship.

Rowes is straight, and Isthmus can’t imagine that his best friend is kinky, but his thoughts keep straying to the video. As they start to get closer and the boundaries between them fall, they try to resist the inescapable pull of kink and passion.

Amazon – All Regions

For a kink book, this one was awfully cute. Definitely had some sexy in there. But a lot of cute and sweet. Unfortunately a lot of contradictions which makes me crazy. We’ll get to that.

Izzy and Rowes co-star on a tv show. They are also BFF. Very touchy feely bff. And since Izzy is out, rumors abound. But Rowes insists, often, that he is straight. But they are tv actors who share a hotel room. And often a bed for cuddling.

With the rumors come social media posts, photos and videos. One particular video shows them that they seem to be very D/s without even knowing it. Which gets them both thinking. And worrying. Because Rowes is straight. And he has a clause in his contract that he couldn’t have sex with anyone on or related to the show. He is the only one though. Which is definitely odd, but ok. But that clause causes a lot of anxiety with Rowes.

So some rando on the internet put together pictures and video snippets to claim they are in a D/s relationship. How do you test that out? By going to a kink club of course! (no) Well, Rowes is definitely not as straight as he thought he was. In fact, he kind of just rolls right into the sex with my bff who is a guy and also a Dominant and omg I am a submissive. And he was adamant that he was straight. Not even wondering if maybe he was a tiny bit bi. Nope. Straight as straight can be. Except no. That was one of the biggest contradictions.

I also never really knew who the star of the show was? Sometimes they say it’s Izzy. Sometimes Rowes. Sometimes a guy named Connelly and a woman named Annelise are listed as 2 of 4 co-stars. Would this bother most readers? Probably not.

Another contradiction is that at the beginning Rowes is very health conscious and monitors what he eats. In fact, one of the Dom like things Izzy does is tell him he was good today and should order extra croutons on his wrap. But their manager has a stash of high calorie snacks she gives him daily. And why do they have a manager who acts like a babysitter?

(maybe a little spoiler-ish?)
Ultimately, Izzy and Rowes get outed. By whom? Because that’s kind of big. Nope, we never know. Why was their manager, who is always totally put together a giant mess at The Big Meeting? Sigh. I have questions.

Now, if you strip away all of the mundane stuff- the D/s dynamic and scenes were HOT AF. Even if I did keep hearing in my head that Rowes wasn’t gay. But ya. Hot, inventive, and fun to read. More of that please.

Izzy had a lot more introspection about whether he really was a Dom than Rowes did about being a sub AND bi. I wish Rowe had that growth and development.

The book was fine. The story was fine. The scenes were hot. There’s a good chance I’ll forget I even read this book.

3 pieces of eye candy

Nerdy, Dirty Valentine by Skylar M. Cates: Release Day Review

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A nerdy virgin professor wants a little dirty talk… but am I the right person to give it to him?

James assumed I was his bully in high school. In my drunken haze, I thought he was mine. We were both wrong. Starting over as tentative friends, I offer to help James with his dating techniques up until Valentine’s Day. I figure it can’t hurt. I’m sober and a proud firefighter, too busy to worry about romance. And James claims he only needs my help until he finds a real relationship. I don’t want to make a mistake or hurt him.

As February approaches, I find my long-buried crush on James resurfacing again. Only this time, I’m determined to do something about it. Will I have to let James go by Valentine’s Day or follow the feelings in my heart?

Note: Nerdy Dirty Valentine is sweet and naughty. It contains hurt/comfort, practice dating, and friends-to-lovers tropes. For any mild triggers, please see a warning in the opening page

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I get that most romance books are heavy on the tropes. But this one twisted it a bit. They consider each other enemies because each thought the other bullied them in school. But really they were just both awkward (in different ways) and were crushing on each other. They didn’t know each other long as teens because one character moved around a lot. But somehow they ended up in the same diner one New Year’s Day.

Phin is the first to want to make amends and be friends. James is having none of it. But…

Add in another trope of “you can practice with me”. They are both openly gay so that’s a plus. Just so happens that awkward student James is not awkward adult James and doesn’t have experience. And let me tell you, it’s fun to read.

There were some surprises, a couple of “so that happened”, and a lot of hot swoony sex. Phin and James couldn’t be more different, but what they do have in common is respect for each other. Respect for what each of them has gone through or is still going through. And that respect is what made them falling in love so much more believable.

This was a good read, I liked that it was a bit different and there’s a dog.

4 pieces of eye candy

The Step Bet (Peach State Stepbros #1) by Riley Hart and Devon McCormack: Release Day Review

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TROY

Sometimes I want to punch that smirk off Atlas McCallister’s pretty face.

He’s cocky. A troublemaker. A pain.

And, unfortunately, my stepbrother.

We’ve been fire and kerosene since our parents got together, and to keep from exploding into fistfights, we’ve used challenges, dares, and bets to battle out our differences.

Our past bets have been a little inappropriate—scandalous, even—but Atlas’s latest bet has gone too far.

Do I really believe if he loses, my straight stepbrother is gonna mess around with a guy? And not just any guy: me, his rival and nemesis?

Not a chance.

But if he’s so confident he’s gonna win…well, my big stepbro must not know me as well as he thinks…

ATLAS

I love getting under Troy’s skin.

Mr. Former Prom King. Mr. Heartthrob. Mr. Infuriatingly Perfect. Messing with him is too easy. Too fun. Maybe that’s why I’m a little obsessed with him.

Our latest bet is the perfect way for me to test the bisexual waters, and once I dive headfirst into the deep end, I don’t want to stop.

With Troy. My stepbro.

It was supposed to be just a little fun, yet with each touch, I like him more than I should. It wasn’t supposed to go this far. Now I want Troy to be all mine.

But what we’re doing has bigger consequences than our little step bet, and when the stakes are this high, is it worth gambling our hearts when we know this is a game we both could lose?

This is the first book in the Peach State Stepbros Series. It can be read as a standalone.

Trigger Warning: The Step Bet is a steamy romance, but one of the secondary characters struggles with addiction. This may act as a trigger for some readers.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

This was a fun, different enemies to lovers kind of read.

Step brothers who love to hate each other. I mean, they get a long but they also really enjoy ribbing each other. Kind of like real brothers. But these guys are very different in a lot of ways. Gay vs straight. Frat guy vs no frat. One is seemingly fine with a parent who was part of an affair. One has so much anger about that affair that he avoids going home at all costs. But they go to the same college and their parents are married to each other so…. they make everything a competition. Which is SUCH a guy thing. But a bet makes the taboo(ish) not so taboo.

Once I really got into the book, I just wanted to hug Atlas. The guy who wants people to think he is an a-hole. Because he is just holding so much in emotionally. But it seems like he never got the chance to really grieve so things because his father is just so awful. Doesn’t help that Atlas’s dad thinks Troy is the bee’s knees.

Troy also has quite a bit of trauma, but he is a people pleaser. Which means he goes along with whatever Atlas’s dad wants. And it means he wants to be friends, or at least more friendly with Atlas.

When Atlas begins to open up to Troy just a little- ugh, my heart. It made me hate Atlas’s dad more and really wonder what was wrong with Troy’s mom that she didn’t try to make the situation better.

Let’s get down to the relationship part. After losing a bet, Atlas eagerly pays up. Use your imagination. But that opens the doors to more. And Atlas still acts like an a-hole but it’s like he doesn’t WANT to with Troy. Just feels like he has to. Troy works to break through though. Because feelings come fast and come big. But the two of them play off each other so well; they were meant to be.

As a dual POV book co-written by 2 authors, you would never know it. Although each main character has their own distinct voice, there’s nothing that even hints at 2 different authors. I call that a win.

4 pieces of eye candy

Holiday Crush: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 3) by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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The hockey has-been, the barista, and some holiday magic…

Court

Cut from the team, fired my agent…now what?

This can’t be it for me. Unfortunately, the phone isn’t ringing. My best bet is to head home for the holidays and regroup.

Problem: I don’t know what to do with myself. Helping out at the rink might be my ticket out of here, but nothing is happening fast enough. And then there’s Ivan. No, no, it’s not what you think. We went to school together. We’re acquaintance-friends…nothing more.

But you know, I like him. A lot. He’s funny and relentlessly upbeat. I’m a better person when I’m with him—the kind who volunteers to deck the halls and wrap garland on lampposts and—

Whoa. What’s happening here?

Ivan

I love the holidays! But running the coffee shop on my own during the busiest season of the year is going to be a challenge. And the sudden appearance of my former crush is all kinds of distracting.

See, I spent my formative years mooning over Court Henderson, our high school’s hockey phenom, even though he was out of my league. Thankfully, I grew up and left the silly remnants of my youth behind. Or did I?

Grown-up Court is full of surprises, and under his gruff yet extremely fine exterior, he’s a good soul with a huge heart. He’s charming, sweet, handsome, and— Uh-oh.

My crush is back. Just in time for the holidays…

Holiday Crush is an MM bisexual, small town romance featuring a renewed ancient crush, some mistletoe latte art, and a little seasonal magic.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

I couldn’t tell if I had a crush on this guy or if an epic case of blue balls was to blame. And wasn’t thirty-four too fucking old to have a crush on someone? It wouldn’t have occurred to me that it was possible to have one if Ivan hadn’t brought it up the other night or—

Focus, Henderson.

I set my napkin on the counter and opened it slowly and theatrically, folding one side over and meeting his gaze as if revealing a special treasure.

He played along, gasping with his hand on his heart. “OMG.”

“One for you, one for me. So I guess the real question is…what goes best with a maple cookie?”

Ivan beamed. “If you’re a tea drinker, I have a fabulous cinnamon spice blend. If you want to stick to coffee, I’d suggest a strong roast or an espresso.”

“What would you have?”

“Tea.”

“I’ll have that,” I replied. “Or are you closed? I just noticed it’s empty, and it’s never empty in here.”

He peeked at his watch. “We’re open for five more minutes, but once the after-school rush is over, it’s pretty quiet.”

“Makes sense. So…want to eat cookies with me?”

“Well…” He made a meal of that one syllable as he nodded. “Sure. Okay. I’ll lock up, make the tea, and meet you at the table behind the register. Whatever you do, don’t sit at the window or everyone in Elmwood will see us and want to know what sort of treacherous scheme we’re planning.”

I chuckled, but hey, he wasn’t wrong.

A few minutes later, we sat across from each other like we had the other night in his kitchen, sharing tea and cookies…instead of gin and bagel sandwiches.

I gingerly cradled the oversized white mug and took a sip. “It’s good. I can’t remember the last time I drank tea. I was probably a kid, and I’m sure my mom or grandma added a ton of milk and sugar.”

“I can offer those things too, but it’s best without.” Ivan bit into a cookie and let out an orgasmic moan. “Oh my God, this cookie is pure heaven.”

He licked his fingers one by one, eyes at half-mast as he slid in his chair. Shit. And now I had a boner. I swallowed hard as I snapped the stem off the leaf-shaped cookie and popped it into my mouth.

There was a reason maple cookies were the bakery’s bestseller. They were fucking amazing. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the light drizzle of icing added an extra punch of maple flavor. They should have been too sweet, but somehow, they were perfect.

Ivan obviously agreed. He hummed with pleasure as he took another bite.

“You need to stop having sex with that cookie. Or get a room, for fuck’s sake,” I grumbled.

I’ve loved the Elmwood series and was excited to read this Christmas entry. It did not disappoint.

We know Ivan the coffee shop owner from the previous two books. His amazing coffee and questionable latte art added a little something to each story. Now the goth kid turned still goth but adult business owner, finds the guy he crushed on for 10 years is home. But goth kid plus jock kid didn’t equal hanging in the same circles then, so he didn’t expect much now.

Here’s something I loved about this book. Court was a professional hockey player. NHL? Nope. AHL? Also a no. Court is in the minors. The kind of minors where most of the players have a second job. But Court finds himself with no job when he is cut from the team.

Court thought he would get his game back on track while home, but he learns that playing pro hockey isn’t all that life is. Especially when he only has a year or two left in him. Plus there’s his family and this goth guy…

Court and Ivan were great together. Both opposites in the jock/goth sense but both out and proud, loyal and with a history in Elmwood. They move together as a couple effortlessly even without knowing if they will continue because of Court and hockey.

Court went from angry and rudderless to happy and grounded while Ivan went from stuck on what to do professionally to moving forward and growing in ways he didn’t expect. With them supporting each other.

So yep, another Elmwood win

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. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.

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