Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

4 stars

The Glow Up (Franklin U Series, Book 5) by A.M. Johnson: RB, Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

.                               .

Chris Delaney

I promised myself that this was going to be the year to finally buckle down. I’m a junior, and I’ve settled on a major. I’ve got focus and determination. The one thing I haven’t figured out yet? How to deal with the massive crush I’ve been harboring on the guy in study carrel six.

I don’t know his name and some of my friends think it’s time for me to move on, but he has this whole sexy, broody, dark eyes, and messy hair thing going for him. And yeah, he seems like he could be my polar opposite. The kind of unapproachable, serious type who doesn’t smile much, but I’d like to think he’s all rays of sunshine underneath his stormy expressions and disheveled demeanor. All that intense energy… I dig it.

I want to know him.

The rub?

I’ll have to find the courage to actually introduce myself.

Aiden Russo

The college experience is supposed to be parties, drinking, and fun with a few classes mixed in. It sounds pretty amazing, right? For me, it turned out to be endless lectures, avalanches of homework, and copious amounts of caffeine. The study carrel might as well be my dorm room. And that guitar under my bed? It’s got two years of dust growing on it. But this is the life I have to lead if I’m ever going to help my dad.

Pre-med isn’t for the weak.

The problem? Loneliness holds me hostage.

If only I could find someone willing to break through my ever-present cloud bank, and remind me what it’s like to have fun again.

Title: The Glow Up
Authors: A.M. Johnson
Length: 70K
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 5
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Hurt/Comfort, friends to lovers, Slow Burn.
Release Date: September 22nd

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

 

Thick smoke curled from the joint’s tip as I held it to my lips. The cloudless sky overhead bore down on my exposed shoulders, baking my skin in the California sun. I frowned and stared at the sidewalk for the hundredth time in the last ten minutes from my perch on the rooftop of the science building.

“Shit…” I wheezed and sputtered, choking and waving away the exhaled smoke.

“Such a novice. Are we feeling dramatic today?” Tommy asked, and I decided he wasn’t the most supportive friend I’d ever had.

Tommy was the Tommiest of all the Toms with his perfectly styled deep side part, polo t-shirts, and his love for being the life of the party.

“I don’t usually smoke this shit. You know that.”

He rolled his eyes and took a smooth drag like it wasn’t dragon fire. “Edibles are for the weak.”

“Edibles are for people who’d rather not pollute their lungs. But thank you for sharing,” I said without much conviction as my eyes snagged on a guy coming up the path.

I sighed. It wasn’t him.

“He isn’t coming.” My shoulders slumped as I leaned back onto my elbows.  “My life is over.”

“Yup, definitely fucking dramatic.” He held his hand to my forehead, and I swatted it away. “Your obsession is starting to worry me, my friend.” Tommy licked his fingers and dashed out the joint. “This guy doesn’t even know you exist.”

“Yet.”

He laughed, his bloodshot eyes squinting in the sunlight as he stared at me. “Your optimism will be your downfall.”

“Thanks.” I sat up and pulled my legs from over the roof’s ledge. Standing, I wiped my hands on my jeans. “I better get back to work.”

“Don’t get mad at me, dude. I’m only speaking the truth. You’ve been salivating over this guy since freshman year, and you don’t even know his name. That’s kind of… weird.”

“One… I’m not mad.” I held up my fingers.  “Two… in my opinion, names are overrated. And three…  fuck you, I am not weird.”

This week’s entry in the Franklin U world gives us Chris, the far too serious pre-med student and Aiden, business student who is also getting his massage therapy degree. Oh and he has been crushing on Chris from afar since freshman year.

Aiden also lives in Stoner, I mean Stormer House. First time we are getting a resident from the infamous house clouded in pot smoke. Chris lives in the dorms still as it is part of his scholarship, which he desperately needs.

A chance meeting and an embarrassing moment finally bring them together. Aiden was convinced that if he was meant to meet Chris, it would happen organically. And it seems like for the first time in three years, Chris finally lets go of the weight on his shoulders. Why he is in premed. What his plans are. Why he literally does nothing but study.

Aiden is determined to have him “glow up”. Start experiencing college life a little at a time. Letting go of some of the enormous pressure he put on himself. They quickly become fairly inseparable. Well, as inseparable as two guys in different majors can be.

Aiden and Chris are really awesome together. Aiden NEVER pushes Chris to do something out of his comfort zone. But he does support him and encourage him to live life a little.

It was great to read a story about a guy struggling but trying his hardest. I’ve never read a book where one of the main characters did nothing in college except go to classes and study for hours and hours on end. Aiden helps teach him balance. Aiden also helped Chris FAR more than Chris ever helped Aiden, but it didn’t seem one sided at all. Aiden was that guy who loved helping people.

I’m going to say this was the most serious of the books, but it wasn’t overly serious at all. And it had a great epilogue, always a plus with me.

4 pieces of eye candy

.                              .

Amanda is an award-winning and best selling author of LGBTQIA and contemporary romance and fiction. She lives in Utah with her family where she moonlights as a nurse on the weekends and hikes in the mountains as much as possible.

If she’s not busy with her three munchkins, you’ll find her buried in a book or behind the keyboard where she explores the human experience through the written word, exploring all spectrums and genres.

She’s obsessed with all things Hockey, Austen, and Oreos, and loves to connect with readers!

Stay up to date by signing up for her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/NewsLetterAMJBooks

Connect with her Online
https://www.facebook.com/AMJOHNSONBOOKS/
Instagram @am_johnson_author

Connect with Amanda:
www.amjohnsonauthor.com
https://linktr.ee/am_johnson_author_
IG @am_johnson_author

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bet You (Franklin U Series, Book 4) by Neve Wilder: Blog Tour, Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

by

.                                 .

Spencer

Whose brilliant idea was it to build university housing next to one of Franklin U’s most notorious party frats?

I’m a real student—the kind who actually came to college to learn, not some dumb frat bro who sees Franklin U as a four-year challenge to consume the most booze and throw out the best pick-up line.

Their all-hours lifestyle is driving me crazy. Not to mention, the jerks keep taking my assigned parking spot.

But the worst offender might be Cory Ingram. Sure, he has a smile that could melt a polar ice cap, but no way will I ever be one of his minions. I’m pretty sure I made that clear when I blew my top at him. So I have no idea why he’s suddenly everywhere around me, turning on the charm like I might actually fall for it.

Nope. Not gonna happen.

Cory

From the first day I set foot on Franklin U’s campus, everything has been golden. I have a ton of friends, endless parties to be the life of, and whoever I want in my bed on any given night. Sure, I’m a shameless party boy, but I’m not a jerk. Ask anyone. Seriously.

Even the crotchety old groundskeeper waves and smiles at me when I pass.

Then there’s Spencer Crow. I’ve never seen a guy’s face get so red over a parking spot. Even when I try to make it right, he proceeds to give me the tongue-lashing of a lifetime—which is about the moment I notice that, in addition to being irrationally irate, he’s also crazy hot.

My friends think I’ve finally met the one person I can’t seduce…

Bet you I can.

Title: Bet You
Authors: Neve Wilder
Length: 65K
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 4
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: opposites attract, hate to love, fratboy player/confident geek, rich/poor.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Damn, this dude is fired up. And while I hear the words coming out of his mouth, it’s the visuals that strike me. Dark brown hair swept back from his forehead in a way that catches the sunlight in threads of warm gold. His eyes are a crystalline blue and what I’d consider penetrating if they weren’t filled with so much fury that I’m convinced he’s trying to laser me to ash on the spot. And a mouth that, well, if it wasn’t currently spewing venom at me, would leave me curious about how it’d feel wrapped around my cock.

How have I not noticed this guy before?

Or have I?

Shit, have I slept with him?

Maybe that’s why he’s so pissed over a parking spot? Who the hell gets this butthurt over a parking spot without some background motivation? I mean, I’m always up-front with my hookups that I am in no way relationship material, but that doesn’t mean feelings don’t get hurt sometimes. Maybe this guy is a ghost from hookups past?

“Have I slept with you?” I blurt, interrupting him while he’s saying something again about a dumpster on Lee Street.

His jaw snaps shut, then opens again, bewilderment wrinkling his forehead. “What? Of course not,” he growls as if I’ve mortally offended him by the suggestion, which in turn kinda offends me.

Look, my body count is pretty high, but like I said, I’m always up-front with my partners, always get consent, and am dedicated to their pleasure as much as mine. I mean, Jesus, I once went down on a girl for two hours because she’d never had an orgasm from oral before, and it took us that long to figure out what combination of lips, tongue, and fingers was the winning ticket. But by god, we fucking found it. And then celebrated after with a two-hour nap before she blew me a kiss as she left. I never heard from her again, but I like to think she’s out and about these days tugging the roots of guys’ hair as they bring her to multiple orgasms.

God, he’s still going. I zero in on his mouth, the plump Cupid’s bow and the thinner lower lip—which gives him a stern look that’s really working for me. I shake my head, trying to focus on the words coming from those sexy lips.

“…not if you were the last man alive.”

Okay, so he’s gay. Or bi. I squint at him, still confused. “I’m sorry, but I need to ask again: Is this amount of aggression really warranted over a parking space?” When he purses his lips, I can’t help it—I have to fight back a grin. It’s just… he’s so fucking indignant. “Look, I’ve said I’m sorry about your space, and I’m moving the car now.”

“Which would only help me if I could time travel back to an hour ago to before you parked in the spot.”

“How about I drive you to your car?” I figure that’s a considerate offer and the best olive branch to offer that I can think of at the moment.

He blinks in surprise before his mouth pulls into another scowl. “No, thanks. I’ll walk.” He stalks past me and starts down the street.

If you’ve been reading the books as they release, you know that we had met Spencer previously. He was hoping to get into the life sciences house to live with other people with his major. His friend warns him of the frat next door. The one that is ALWAYS loud and often throws parties. He doesn’t listen.

The frat IS loud and keeps him up often. After school full time AND working at the local bar, he is over it. And finally snaps when someone parks in his assigned spot. AGAIN. When he snapped, I felt it in my soul. Been there.

Cory is the guilty party. He tries turning on his charm to no avail. He is known for his charm! But Spencer isn’t having it. So now it’s a challenge. And when the frat brothers find out, it’s also a bet.

Cory is RELENTLESS in his pursuit. But alone with that, he is actually super respectful. And Spencer is charmed, he is just trying not to be.

If you’ve read any Neve Wilder books before, you know she can write a pretty filthy (in a good way!) sex scene. Well. Let me tell you. There were scenes where these two guys weren’t even in the same house and my kindle almost caught fire.

There’s some good cat and mouse here without being creepy. Cory is funny and charming and Spencer is no match. They play off of each other really well. Cory’s charm to Spencer’s snark. But it is a slow burn until they get their hands on each other.

This was a fun read with a good plot and a nice story as well. Sexy, cute, funny AND romantic. Excellent addition to the FU world

4 pieces of eye candy

Enemies to lovers, is not a favorite trope of mine, but is always entertaining! In this one, we have Corey and Spencer… again, as we’re used to seeing in this series so far, they’re about as different as night and day, and it isn’t all sunshine and roses when they first meet… – or any time they meet, there at the beginning. Spencer is at Franklin U to get an education. He takes it seriously, or as seriously as he can living next door to a fraternity. A party-friendly fraternity, with bro’ey dudes that do nothing but keep him distracted and disrupt his life… they even steal his parking space…

Now, I wanna say that I was a little apprehensive to start this one because I hate the whole ‘bet’ thing, they always get caught and someone always gets their feelings hurt…it’s right around the same ball park as “rule number one: you can’t fall in love with me…” like, well, now we know it’s going to happen… but I’m glad I stuck with this one because I did enjoy the chemistry and the banter between these two. I didn’t think I was going to warm up to Corey, (and not because I have a weird taste or Corey’s since it’s my husband’s name) but I’m so glad that I stuck with it!

I’m really enjoying this series and though I’ve been called out recently for spoilers and telling the whole synopsis in my review, I’ll leave it here and say that if you enjoyed the rest of this series, you’ll love this one too!

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

Neve Wilder reads promiscuously, across multiple genres, but her favorite stories always contain an element of romance. Incidentally, this is also what she likes to write. Slow-burners with delicious tension? Yes. Whiplash-inducing page-turners, also yes. Down and dirty scorchers? Yes. And every flavor in between.

She believes David Bowie was the sexiest musician to ever live, and she’s always game to nerd out on anything from music to writing.

And finally, she believes that love conquers all. Except the heat index in July. Nothing can conquer that bastard.

Connect with Neve:
https://www.nevewilder.com/social-links
Newsletters: nevewilder.com/subscribe
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/neve-wilder
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S8U32a
Facebook Readers’ Group: facebook.com/groups/WildersWildOnes
FB Page: facebook.com/nevewilderwrites a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wildfire (In Vino Veritas) by Garrett Leigh: Release Day Review

by

.                                  .

A gorgeous new sexual awakening romance with sizzling first times, snarky British banter, and off-the-charts chemistry.

Life doesn’t always pan out as you expect. When it explodes in my face, literally, an old friend offers me a place to heal and a job renovating the kitchen of Burlington’s coolest wine bar.

V&V is a chill fest. Living above it should be a blast. But I’m not built to be a social butterfly. Not anymore. I’m a damaged man.

And I’m not its target clientele.

At least, I think I’m not until I come face to face with the most beautiful human I’ve ever seen. Joss is the new chef and my roommate. He has hair like spun gold and it’s as pretty as the rest of him. Crystal blue eyes. Megawatt smile.

I can’t stop staring. Or thinking about him. He chases my nightmares away. And when he spots my crush a mile off, his solution to our chemical attraction blows my mind.

An experiment of sorts. Science. Is this sexual exploration or sex education?

Either way, Joss is only here for the summer. He’s leaving.

I can’t fall in love with him.

I can’t.

Shame my foolish heart never got the memo.

WILDFIRE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort romance in the True North world, with a brooding lumbersexual, a wild-hearted chef, sweet angst and all the Vermont food. Content warning: contains mentions of depression, ADHD, suicidal ideation, and PTSD recovery.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Audio – Audible

Goodreads

I am a big fan of Garrett Leigh. Often dark and gritty, definitely not what you would call light hearted. But those are my jam. I love a good messed up character. And these guys were messed up, but not in a way I’ve come to expect. Not a bad thing at all.

Let’s discuss. First, almost all of Garrett Leigh’s books are set in the UK. This one is part of the In Vino Veritas world so it is set in Vermont. One of the characters, Joss, is British. The other, Kai, is Vermont born and bred. What struck me a little funny is how often the Americans say “Dude”. I mean, we really do say dude. Probably too often. But it didn’t really fit the vibe of the characters to me. It doesn’t take away from the story at all, but I couldn’t NOT say something. Dude.

Kai has some serious PTSD from an incident not even a year ago when he worked mountain rescue. Ironically, the incident happened on his way home from work. He has left that job and another former mountain rescue guy, Tanner (from Heartscape, another book by Garrett Leigh in the In Vino Veritas world) pulls him back from the brink of mental health collapse and is a support to him in more ways than one.

Joss, self described wanderer, chef and friend of Tanner’s husband lands at the bar to head up the new kitchen there. And to share an apartment with Kai.

How are these guys “messed up”? Well besides Kai’s PTSD that is triggered by things that have nothing to do with what happened, he is also straight. But Joss is so pretty with his long blonde hair and blue eyes. Joss has pretty severe ADHD and nonverbal Tourette’s Syndrome. And while that mostly manifests when he is sleeping or soon after waking up in the morning, it can still pop up.

I loved that ADHD was described in a completely different way than what so many people think it is. Being hyper focused. Or completely zoning out. Or going down a google rabbit hole because he couldn’t remember what he was originally looking up. Burning food, or pots, or kitchens, because he forgot what he was doing. And there is no way to predict any of those things. AND he is medicating twice daily.

Both guys are really down on themselves about these issues that they have no control over. Joss’s ADHD/Tourette’s doesn’t bother Kai in the least. In fact, he kind of steps in quietly to help steer Joss in the right direction when he can. And Joss’s presence in the apartment alone helps Kai. And even though he is straight, he feels such a strong connection with Joss.

Their connection and subsequent relationship, such as it is, is so organic. Nothing is forced. Even formerly straight Kai just kind of goes with it. He questions things, but those questions don’t seem to hold him back.

I loved these guys. Seeing ADHD through Joss’s eyes was enlightening. And Kai’s PTSD that slowly gets better, but will probably never go away.

Must read for any Garrett Leigh fan.

4 pieces of eye candy

Mother Parker by Rhys Everly: New Release Review

by

.                                 .

Divorced. Beaten down. A failure. Until a ray of sunshine comes into my life…

People call me Officer Grumpypants, but wouldn’t you be if life kept knocking you down?

My life is an endless sh*t list that I can’t even begin to unravel.

It all started when my parents died.

It continued when I was forced to sell my house.

And it all came to an epic conclusion when my wife walked out on me.

What I need is to get my mind in order and my life back on track.

So when my old commander offers me a job in Mayberry Holm, I grab the opportunity by the balls.

I’m ready to put my head down and my hands to work.

What I wasn’t planning though was becoming pet food for crows by this infuriating little man who throws seeds at my face.

Or being hired to help said man with his new store.

Or having to protect him from a bunch of criminals that prey on his softness and sweetness.

Even though he drives me insane, I can’t stop thinking of him. And even though he’s annoyingly cheerful, I can’t help but smile around him.

Or fantasize about him doing… naughty things to me.

What the hell is happening to me? Am I falling for the young, bubbly, pink-haired man? And is it too late to stop it?

Welcome to Mayberry Holm, a small island in the Atlantic full of crime, secrets and happily-ever-afters, and the ex-Navy SEALs that come to deal with them all.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Okay, new series! Protector, opposites, Navy SEALs? Why would I turn this down?

Nay… I didn’t….

Okay, so… Parker, nicknamed by his own sister, Officer Grumpypants, or something silly but accurate, was really hard for me to like. I didn’t for a good bit of this book, I’ll be honest.
It was almost like he took douchey-ness to extra douchy-ness… but he grew on me.
He grew on me mostly because I liked how he eventually was with Hwan.

Hwan… I loved immediately. He’s the sun to Parker’s gloom, living his best, albeit somewhat lonely life, he was content. I liked that he didn’t let Parker’s disposition get him down and when someone is threatening his bubble tea shop, the protector Parker, sets out to find who’s responsible.

I will admit that for a first book, I did feel a little out of the loop at times… like there was something I was missing or maybe should’ve read first, but I didn’t find out about the sneak peek until I’d finished and read other reviews to see if maybe I missed something.

I wish someone would’ve told me sooner, but meh…

It was a fun little roller coaster ride through the isle of Mayberry, and I’m really excited to see who’s next!

4 pieces of eye candy

Real Hazard (West Coast Forensics, Book 4) by Elle Keaton: New Release Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

by

.                            .

Foster Jennings

Things I love

✓ my kid sister

✓ the no-hope dogs I rehabilitate

✓ my job as an EMT

✓ and maybe my new friend Dutch.

But Dutch isn’t gay and physical attraction isn’t something I feel often. Are these feelings real, or am I just tired of being alone?

Dutch Hansen

This is all Hazel’s fault. Hazel the Hazard.

✓ Hazel made me come to first grade safety day.

✓ Hazel blurted out—loudly—about the beautiful fireman.

✓ Hazel invited the beautiful fireman over for a tea party.

I swear I’m not gay, but Foster Jennings is the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, outside and in.

Dutch
Hansen is the single dad of a precocious daughter. He moved to Piedras wanting a better life for Hazel and himself. Things are shaping up, he’s landed a permanent job at Brooch Resort and Hazel has quit having nightmares that someone is going to steal her away.

Then everything goes sideways, Dutch’s past threatens his future and he doesn’t know where to turn.

Something is wrong, Dutch is pushing him away and won’t tell Foster why.

When Hazel goes missing Dutch can’t hide anymore, he needs his… Foster to help him get Hazel back.

#Demisexual #BiAwakening #SingleDad #FindingFamily

Book four in the West Coast Forensics series, can be read as a standalone but may be more fully enjoyed if you start with Real Trouble.

Title: Real Hazard
Authors: Elle Keaton
Series: West Coast Forensics, Book 4
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense.
Tropes: Demisexual, Bi-Awakening, Single Dad, Finding Family.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“It is what it is. I’m the one who keeps an eye on the old man. Scott won’t set foot back here. Which, to be honest, I’m fine with. Scott and I do not get along. But enough about me.” Wade looked back at Dutch. “What about you? What skeletons do you have in your closet?”

Dutch blinked, feeling the spotlight swing his direction. He’d had just enough beer to be sort of honest. “Oh, you know. Chaos, mayhem, anarchy, and a little destruction here and there…”

“The cousins of the four horsemen.” Foster snickered, not knowing how close to the truth Dutch had come. Luckily the waiter returned with their beers and two bowls of popcorn, and the conversation veered away from the past. Dutch breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t even like thinking about his history, as if it might find its way back to him.

When their second beers were gone and the popcorn bowl empty, he and Foster both declined Wade’s offer to buy them a third. “I’m not the man I used to be.” “Dutch shook his head. “If I have another, I’ll need a ride home, and I need to be on my toes tomorrow.”

“Suit yourself,” Wade grumbled. “I’m gonna stay here a bit longer and drown my sorrows.”

“Dutch clapped him on the back as he scooted around to leave. “Take care. See you at work. Don’t let the raccoon sex get you down.”

“I keep promising myself I’ll quit.” Wade barked out a laugh. “Damn raccoons definitely have a better sex life than I do.”

Foster walked with Dutch to his car. “I never did find out your favorite band,” he complained. “Next time.”

“Definitely. My schedule is settling into something normal-ish, so just text me when you’re free.”

Dutch beeped his lock, watching Foster amble down the sidewalk to wherever he’d parked. Or maybe he’d walked here? Pulling onto the street, Dutch realized he was smiling. The evening had been fun. Even running into Wade had been fun. The squishy feeling in the center of his chest was a fledgling sense of belonging, and he wanted to keep it growing.”

I am such a sucker for a single dad!

I didn’t even realize that this was part of a series, so I’m going to have to go back and read the others, but in this one, we have Dutch and his daughter Hazel. (is that not the cutest old lady name?) They moved to a new town for a fresh, safe start, and things are going really well….for a while.

Foster is an EMT and it’s Hazel who brings him to attention during a safety day at school. I loved her from the very first second, I thought she was the cutest.
It isn’t often that you see a child character so upfront and prevalent, especially in m/m romance.
Not that it’s unheard of, but they tend to stay background characters and it felt like Hazel demanded to be seen and heard, and she fit in so effortlessly. I just adored her.

Unfortunately, as it does, just when folks finally find a little sense of happy, trouble comes knocking… Dutch tries to figure things out on his own and pushes Foster away… or he attempts to. Foster isn’t so easily swayed.. he’d already gone and gotten charmed by the cute duo, so he doesn’t scare away easily.

This one was a slow burn and I enjoyed every bit of it. I mean, cute kids, a sexy EMT, an ex-enforcer for a motorcycle gang, an outspoken and resilient little girl, and ….also puppers! Why wouldn’t you want to read this one?

5 easy pieces of eye candy for me! I can’t wait to go back and read all that I missed!

.                               .

Elle Keaton writes contemporary gay romance and MM romantic suspense set in the Pacific Northwest. Elle’s books are known for their hot mm romance, complex characters, and unique sense of place. The men start out broken, and maybe they’re still banged up by the end, but they always find the other half of their hearts.

Elle published first in 2017, now she has over seventeen books available for you to read or listen to.

She loves cats and dogs, Star Wars and Star Trek, pineapple on pizza, and is known to start crossword puzzles with ballpoint pen.

Love always wins, thank you for supporting this indie author!

Connect with Elle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ElleKeatonWrites
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HighwayToElle/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elle-keaton
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellekeatonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PirateQueenRdz1
MeWe: https://mewe.com/profile/5ac2766f310a7853d4ce8ad4
Website: https://www.ellekeaton.com/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3R02Cff
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/ek-gr-profile

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Playing Games (Franklin U Book 1) by Riley Hart: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

by

.                             .

Brax

Tyson Langley thinks the king in Franklin University Kings is in reference to him. Star lacrosse player and God’s gift to the female and male population, there’s nothing the spoiled jock can’t have.

It’s impossible for us to be in the same room without talking crap to each other. But I also have a secret… As much as I despise Ty, I want him too. I revel in our banter and in never knowing what he’ll say next.

I’ve spent too much time on the wrong side of the law for someone like Ty, though, and if I want to make it through college and escape my past, he’s a distraction I don’t need.

Ty

Braxton Walker needs to learn to lighten up. If you search brooding online, his name pops up. He’s the bad boy with a leather jacket and a scowl. We couldn’t be more different.

Finding ways to annoy him is like the longest foreplay session of my life. And when we end up working together, it gets harder to deny how hot he makes me.

What’s a little hooking up between enemies?

We weren’t supposed to become friends or share secrets. We weren’t supposed to understand each other and all the complicated stuff we’re going through.

I’m used to playing games, only the more time I spend with Brax, the less it feels like playing around and the more it becomes something real.

Title: Playing Games
Authors: Riley Hart
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: opposites attract, enemies to lovers.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“You like that I don’t make anything easy on you. If I had, you would have lost interest already. Everyone gives you what you want without you even having to ask for it, but not me.”

“That’s not why I want you. I want you because you’re hot.”

We stopped walking. Brax didn’t seem to have the same issue I did about wanting to protect what we were doing. He stood close, cupped my cheek, traced my bottom lip with his thumb, which made me chub up because, again, he was hot. “Truth, but it’s also because I don’t kiss your ass, and I don’t sugarcoat shit for you. Eventually, that’ll get old and you won’t want someone who makes you work for it.” For a second, I thought he was going to kiss me, right there under a palm tree, in the middle of campus, but instead he dug his teeth into my bottom lip and bit gently. “I’ll never stop making you work for it, Lacrosse.”

Classic enemies to lovers, Jock and anti-Jock. But since we enter the chat 3 years into the enemies thing, we get the fun turning into lovers part.

Saying they are enemies is a stretch. Brax just doesn’t like jocks- especially rich boy jock Tyson. They guy is a golden boy, handed everything on a platter. Brax is the complete opposite. Works while going to school, mom took off when he was young, dad is prison. He was handed a house though, by his grandmother, that he shares with his Dad 2.0 brother, but still.

Once they start working together though, the playful banter turns into playful sex. Which turns into more. It’s so seamless and natural the progression of their relationship. Nothing was forced at all. I loved how Ty just kind of insinuated himself into Braxton’s life.

Brax could have been super emo and angsty about his life, but instead he is determined to do better for himself. Ty is the one who is emo and angsty about his life, but he also doesn’t take it out on anyone, he keeps it to himself.

This was a fun read that also set up the shared world of Franklin University, which consists of 8 books by 8 different authors. I love these types of series and look forward to the rest.

Listen… I’m a sucker for the opposites attract.

Maybe because my husband and I are as different as night and day and yet somehow… that’s what attracted me to him, but these two are really cute!

In this one, we have the nerdy-esque type one and the bro. Ty and Brax.
I love the chemistry between these two, even when they pretended to hate each other.
Why boys think being jerks is a form of flirting, I’ll never know, but these two pulled it off so well.
It’s a low angst read, which I really needed right now and I found Brax really charming.

These two felt they had to be one way to the world, hiding the things that were going on in their lives, but they found a safe space within each other and watching them get to that place was really cute. I really enjoyed it. It felt genuine and real and new.

I found myself rooting for both of them, both separately and together, though, really together.
There were times where I felt like the picking at each other was a little much, I think they went overboard a little bit at times and I wanted to slap them both around, but it worked for them and the development of their relationship. It was comfortable, in a way.

Overall, it’s just a really cute story with little drama and I just really needed that this week. I really really hope we get a story about Ty’s brother next!

4 pieces of eye candy from me!

.                                  .

Riley Hart has always been known as the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She won her first writing contest in elementary school, and although she primarily focuses on male/male romance, under her various pen names, she’s written a little bit of everything. Regardless of the sub-genre, there’s always one common theme and that’s…romance! No surprise seeing as she’s a hopeless romantic herself. Riley’s a lover of character-driven plots, flawed characters, and always tries to write stories and characters people can relate to. She believes everyone deserves to see themselves in the books they read. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading or enjoying time with her awesome family in their home in North Carolina.

Riley Hart is represented by Jane Dystel at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management. She’s a 2019 Lambda Literary Award Finalist for Of Sunlight and Stardust. Under her pen name, her young adult novel, The History of Us is an ALA Rainbow Booklist Recommended Read and Turn the World Upside Down is a Florida Authors and Publishers President’s Book Award Winner.
Join Riley’s reader group here!

Riley loves hearing from readers. You can contact her at rileyhartwrites@yahoo.com

Connect with Riley:
https://www.rileyhartwrites.com/
Join Riley’s reader group!
https://www.instagram.com/rileyhartwrites/
https://www.facebook.com/rileyhartwrites/
https://twitter.com/RileyHart5
Subscribe to Riley’s newsletter & keep up-to-date with new releases

a Rafflecopter giveaway