Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

He’s The One (Fate We Make Book 1) by Barbara Elsborg: New Release Review

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Col’s world is falling apart. His relationship has been exposed as a sham, he’s lost his home, and been fired from his job as a stonemason. Who says bad luck doesn’t come in threes? With no option but to move back in with his parents, and with his efforts to find a new job hitting a brick wall, Col’s life is going nowhere.

Theo, unwilling heir to the ancient Asquith Hall estate, is desperate to gain some independence from his overbearing family. Despite his efforts to live up to the role he never wanted, he’s constantly battling to earn his family’s respect. Being made to feel lacking takes its toll, and sometimes, it’s hard to stay happy.

When a near fatal accident forces their paths to cross, Col and Theo discover in each other the connection both have been craving. As their love story unfolds, so do the secrets and sadness hidden at the heart of Asquith Hall. The past can’t be changed, but with Col’s stonemasonry skills and Theo’s determination, they might just be able to restore what’s broken and find happiness.

Warning – past child abuse of a secondary character (no on-page detail), descriptions of violence, horrible parents and lovely parents, wayward brothers, a man who mends stone and hearts, and a young man who never has an unspoken thought.

The feeling of this story brought me back to my first reading of The Making of Jonty Bloom, which I *think* was my first book by her that I read. Interesting setting, story, characters and backgrounds. The story wasn’t rushed nor was there any suspension of reality necessary. There was even a bit of a subplot surprise that I totally didn’t see coming. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

I read quite a few British authors, so this wasn’t the first to feature an old castle or estate with aristocracy as main characters. It does always surprise me how these people generally aren’t wealthy and it takes A LOT to keep their estates running.

Lord Theo, Theo to most of us, is actually “the spare” as his older brother disappeared years ago. And for someone who takes the brunt of his parents depression and general unhappiness as well as the snide remarks he gets from the estate manager who is supposed to be training him, Theo is a pretty happy guy. He’d be happier if his parents weren’t trying to force him to marry a woman knowing he is gay.

Col has had a fairly difficult life. Abusive, neglectful, drug addicted parents. An older brother he practically worships in prison for killing them. He was in the system for a couple of years before ending up with the couple he lovingly calls mom and dad, although they never formally adopted him. And then he finds out his live in boyfriend is actually married and not taking care of his parents on the weekends, but going home from London to his wife and children. Ouch.

Theo and Col find each other when Col is working at the estate. There are quite a few obstacles in front of them but they take them one at a time and knock them down. Each wonder if they are good enough for the other. Each taking the others concerns to heart. Col really doesn’t mind that Theo talks. A lot. And Theo doesn’t care that Col comes from an ugly background. They worked to get to know each other AND unravel a bit of a mystery.

Then there are two epilogues which are very satisfying.

This one is fighting Jonty for my favorite Elsborg book.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Baxter’s Right-Hand Man by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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.                                             .
The movie star meets his match…

Pierce

Welcome to Hollywood, baby! Perhaps you’ve heard of me. I play Baxter, the adventure-seeking, crime-fighting hero, adored by fans around the world. Nice gig, right? My job has its perks for sure—private jets, a chauffeur, and the best tables at the fanciest restaurants in town. It’s nuts!

Downside—it’s hard to know who you can trust.

But I trust Lorenzo. He’s funny, sweet, and very real.

Look, I’m not in the market for anything serious. Between my greedy brother and the old man who claims we’re related, I’m a little wary, but I could use a friend.

And a sexy distraction.

Lorenzo

What is happening here? Major movie star, Pierce Allen wants me.

Me!

I don’t get it. I’m too fabulous and he’s too famous.

No, wait. He wants something from me, like my help and maybe my body. This should be a no-brainer. However, closing the last chapter on a long-term relationship has left me feeling a little fragile, and the last thing I need is to risk another broken heart.

But I’m too intrigued to walk away. I can play the part of Pierce’s “right-hand man” and keep things light and friendly. No problem.

I’m way too smart to fall for a movie star.

I hope.

Baxter’s Right-Hand Man is a MM, bisexual romance featuring a sexy, slightly egotistical movie star and the adorable diva who brings him back to reality.

Title: Baxter’s Right-Hand Man
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 75k
Series: The Baxter Chronicles, Book 2
Genre: Contemporary.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

We engaged in a playful tug-of-war that probably would have ended up in a serious lip-lock if we weren’t in public. I let go before I did something stupid, pulled my ball cap farther over my forehead, and studied the black-and-white photos of the beach.

There was one other couple at the register, two baristas, and two uber-friendly golden retrievers. No danger here at all.

I felt more relaxed than I had in weeks. And very…ordinary in the best possible ways.

We took our lattes and treats to the beach and sat on a bench overlooking the ocean.

“I could live here,” I said conversationally.

Lo grinned. “It’s a nice place. Want the pink house?”

“Fuck, no. Something small with a view and a bench like this one.” I squinted at the gray horizon, inching closer to him. “I would like this.”

Shit. I’d said too much.

My heart thundered in my chest and my cheeks heated. I wanted to blame it on the latte, but I knew that wasn’t it.

“Me too,” he whispered.

The thundering sensation peaked into an internal storm. My head pounded as if in a race to keep up with my renegade heart. And suddenly, I wanted to ask tougher questions I’d never cared enough to ask anyone, like…what else do you want?

Do you want a house, a dog? Or are you a cat guy? That could be a problem ’cause I’m mildly allergic, but we’d make it work. Would you want a bungalow like Jasper’s? I could buy one tomorrow. What about kids? I love kids, but my parents sucked and I might too.

Those were safe boyfriend questions. It wouldn’t be weird to unload everything on my mind. Lo would be into it. We could sit here all day and just daydream like any normal couple who wanted a future together.

But I couldn’t give him normal. I couldn’t give him peace or quiet or—

Just as full-scale panic seeped in and took over, Lo slipped his hand in mine and rested his head on my shoulder. “Someday,” he said softly.

I closed my eyes and squeezed his hand.

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, 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a newly 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: https://amzn.to/3NWuz93
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayes3/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@lane_hayes

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Loving Lennox (Out in Austin) by KD Ellis: Release Day Review

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FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANCE KD ELLIS

Book four in the Out in Austin series

Riley didn’ t know home wasn’ t a place… It’ s a person.

Riley would rather sell himself on the streets again than go back home. Only a chance encounter with a stranger saved him from becoming another statistic as a teenager, but now he’ s aging out of the youth shelter and has nowhere left to go— until a kind act from the shelter’ s director sends him straight to Lennox.

When Lennox’ s older sister begs him to rent out his spare room to a kid about to become homeless, he gets way more than he bargained for. He expects an acne-spotted, Red-Bull-bingeing teenager. What he does not expect is Riley.

Riley, who has a dominant streak a mile wide but somehow submits so beautifully.

Riley, who has a tough exterior but hides a sensitive soul.

Riley, who might just be what Lennox never knew he was looking for.

Amazon – All Regions

Pride Publishing

Overall, I liked this book. The story flowed really well even though there was a lot of content. But there were also things that didn’t get enough time- or any time, that left me a bit wanting.

We start with Ryland, soon to be Riley, as a homeless teen because he ran away. We’re kind of left wondering exactly from whom and what he ran for a long time. And then when we find out, it made me wonder how he didn’t get caught for so long. It’s close to 10 years. But ok.

The first friend he makes while being homeless disappears. And we basically never hear about him again. That was kind of sad.

We see Riley get to a shelter for gay youth, where he makes a good friend and seems to do well. He also gets to kind of be a kid.

Flash forward to Riley aging out and meeting Lennox who takes him in as a roommate. Lennox also has issues at home. He is in the closet, his parents want him to be a doctor, he wants to be an artist, etc. He ends up getting his law degree, but makes his money as an artist.

There’s immediate chemistry with them. They dabble in D/s, Riley starts camming for money, there’s a bunch of shelter cats that Riley steals/rescues, Lennox and Riley start doing porn together, there’s a lot going on.

Oh and we find out who and what Riley ran from almost 10 years ago. There’s a situation, several weeks go by, things are glossed over…and it’s resolved. And then apparently Riley is fine. Uh, sorry but that guy has some trauma to deal with.

OH! And Riley was an alcoholic when he was in the shelter but we don’t see it. How did he buy it? With what money? How did he not get caught? And even though it’s mentioned that he has been sober since before he left the shelter, Lennox finds empty bottles. GAH! I hate inconsistencies like that.

BUT, even with all of that, I loved Riley and Lennox together. They were perfect for each other. They get a little more into D/s and BDSM, which is fun, and hot, but also Lennox belongs to a BDSM club but we never saw him there.

If all of these little things were fleshed out, this easily could have been a 2 or 3 book series. Alas, it’s all crammed into this book.

Was it worth my time? Yes
Good story? Yes
Good characters? Yes
Do I recommend? Yes

I do wish more things were fleshed out to just get deeper into the characters.

4 pieces of eye candy

Rookie Mistakes by Beth Laycock: Release Day Review

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Can a rookie mistake lead to love?

Mitch Griffiths is an ordinary man just trying to make ends meet. He lost everything thanks to his ex: his restaurant, his partner, his home. So, when his dad gifts him a ticket to the British Grand Prix and a Silverstone Driving Experience, well, a change of scene for the weekend couldn’t hurt, could it? Even if Formula 1 is kind of boring.

Robert Andilet is a veteran F1 driver on his returning season after a six-year absence. He has a lot to learn, not least of which is how to deal with the media attention, a “rivalry” between him and his rookie teammate, as well as his attraction to a man who readily admits he thinks F1 is tedious. It was a rookie mistake to let Mitch walk away after their first meeting, will Robert make the same mistake again?

This M/M romance from Beth Laycock features a famous/ordinary man, older MCs, and is set in the high-octane world of Formula 1 featuring fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, an HEA

Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

The final book in the Lights Out shared world gives us a veteran driver who gets a second chance with a new team and a guy who is licking his personal wounds and knows nothing about F1.

This one sounded interesting. But alas, I found it a little boring.

Mitch is such a wet noodle. Apparently he had a catering business with his ex who drove the business into financial ruin and Mitch had no idea until it was too late. So he is back home with his parents temporarily, while they go on vacation.

His dad leaves him tickets for F1 that is racing locally as well as a driving experience. It’s just odd because Mitch has no interest in F1 and his father knows that. But, whatever.

Robert lost his position with a team a few years ago, but was invited back by a brand new team. And a brand new team means doing all of the non-racing things he hates. Until Mitch ends up in the passenger seat during the driving experience.

In books 1-5, the characters really worked to keep the fact that they were gay or bi private. Besides the fact that they depend on sponsors who might not like one of their drivers being gay, but they also raced in countries where being gay is a literal crime. And while Robert and Mitch certainly didn’t flaunt their relationship, they didn’t stress out or go out of their way to hide it either.

And while other drivers on the circuit are fighting for podium wins, Robert just wants a top 10 finish to get some points and get his contract renewed. Besides mentioning his diet here and there, there was no other mention of the conditioning that goes into driving. If this was my first F1 book, I wouldn’t have even noticed. But it seems like such a huge part of their training that was just ignored.

And Mitch, I think late 30’s? is just so blah about his career. He’s a chef. But when Robert asks him something like “Oh you like to cook” he says it is his dream. Just really weird.

Overall the book was fine I guess. Just kind of boring and the characters didn’t seem real.

3 pieces of eye candy

Black Flagged (Lights Out) by Emma Jaye: Release Day Review

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Will a Black Flag end love before it leaves the starting line?

Dren is a mercenary, not a babysitter, yet protecting an F1 “bad boy” from his own recklessness is his next contract. The media darling everyone loves to hate is annoying as hell and a target both on and off the track.
Staying close is the only way to protect Karl from himself and others, but the forced proximity reveals the man behind the uncaring, flippant mask. In public and private, Karl craves attention, but it’s not Dren’s job to provide it. But Dren can’t help falling for Karl’s provocative passion, and he shouldn’t because when the contract ends, he’ll return to the organization that holds his soul.

Karl avoids people he can’t trick, charm, or buy, and his new bodyguard falls into that irritating category. But before he knows it, Dren’s imposing presence becomes his seatbelt in the rocky, perilous world of F1 because there’s genuine concern and interest behind the gruff exterior.
When a fiery crash gets Karl suspended for dangerous driving, can the pair find his mysterious enemy before Karl loses his career and Dren?

This M/M romance from Emma Jaye features an arrogant F1 driver with a hidden past and a bodyguard who is in way too deep. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.
Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

If you’ve been reading along with this shared world series, you know that Kurt is the driver who people like to punch. I mean, it’s not without merit, but still.

He’s a jerk. Cocky, attention seeking, unrepentant jerk. We first met him in Team Orders when he was the driver responsible for (directly or indirectly) a serious crash that almost killed another driver. He walked away.

Besides his punchability, it seems that someone wants him dead. Or at least seriously maimed. So his team owners hire him a body guard. One of those lethal, blood oath to the brotherhood type deals. (FTR- the author has several books with this group, the orta, but I’ve not read them). Kurt does not want a bodyguard.

We get to know Kurt better throughout the book. And don’t get me wrong, he is still pretty much a jerk, but his background explains a lot. Dude needs some serious therapy.

Dren is a dutiful bodyguard. He also wants to figure out who is trying to kill Kurt. And resist Kurt’s not so subtle sexual invitations. Of course that last one didn’t last long.

This was a good read. While reality certainly had to be suspended for some things, it was entertaining and kept me reading. It was fun to have a main character that you already didn’t like from previous books. And he didn’t even get a big redemption arc. Which I appreciated. Some guys are just the way they are. Sometimes making them see the error of their ways just shouldn’t happen.

4 pieces of candy

Scoring Points (Lights Out) by HL Day: New Release Review

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Can two warring team principals in the cutthroat world of F1 ever admit that there’s more to life than scoring points?

On the surface, Kurt Whitford has everything. A successful business. Good looks. Money. A famous popstar girlfriend hanging off his arm. And as the icing on the cake, he’s just been announced as Nebula’s new team principal. The downside? The opposition. It’s seventeen years since Kurt has seen the infuriating and irresistible Gio Rossi, but the man hasn’t changed a bit.

Whatever Kurt Whitford has, Giovanni Rossi can surpass. Well, except for the girlfriend. Despite needing to keep his sexuality on the down low, he’s not that far in the closet. And if Kurt thinks that Gio’s ready to let bygones be bygones, he couldn’t be more wrong. Gio hasn’t forgiven. Or forgotten.

As a long-rooted rivalry kicks off once more and sparks fly both on and off the track, can Gio and Kurt go head-to-head without the media getting wind of their true feelings? Or is their undeniable sexual chemistry about to prove their downfall?

This MM romance from H.L Day features enemies to lovers, opposing teams, secrets that go way back, and suppressed feelings. Set in the high-octane world of Formula 1, it features fast cars, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

The next installment in the Lights Out shared world. This time we get the story of two team principals. Which I liked because…I don’t know a lot about F1 so it was cool to read about what they do. Also, they can’t all be F1 drivers, right?

When I started reading this one, I immediately didn’t like Giovanni. Even at 15 he was cocky. The more I got to know him, the more I realized that he had some Big Feelings for Kurt going back to when they were 15.

Now they are the 2 youngest team principals with a rivalry that plays out in the media even though they haven’t seen each other in person in YEARS. Kurt wants to forget they ever had an issue and move on, but Gio. Nope. Those Big Feelings are in the way. But it takes us a bit to see it.

Kurt and Gio have the hate sex thing DOWN PAT. Like, they wrote the book on it. It’s pretty hot too. But that’s when we start to see that Gio wants more.

It isn’t until someone points out to Kurt some big signs that he realizes what a jerk he is. Kurt has some emotional damage from his dad that doesn’t help things. Oh. And a fake girlfriend. So that’s fun.

Watching them both open themselves up to each other was wonderful. They stumbled a bit, actually talked to each other and realized that they do belong together.

I liked the different view of the sport in this book. It was fun to get more of a behind the scenes thing.

4 pieces of eye candy