Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

4 stars

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

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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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Catered All the Way: An MM Holiday Christmas Romance by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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Tis the season for a hopeless crush on my older brother’s best friend…

This year will be different. I’m all grown up, my gaming channel is a huge success, and I finally have the confidence to make my move on Atlas Orion, the hottest chief in the navy.

However, I don’t intend for my smooth move to be covering Atlas in cranberry sauce. Not at all how I want to reintroduce myself to my new roomie and coworker. Atlas is in town to help save Seasons, my family’s historic holiday gift shop and event space. Seasons is booked solid with catered parties, so we need to avoid any more disasters.

Like my malfunctioning air mattress. We’re down to one bed, two dudes, and a whole lot of holiday-fling temptation. Atlas has never been with a guy, but I don’t have to do much persuading. And what better way to explore than a secret romp? No strings, and no one has to know.

The problem? With every passing week, I fall harder for Atlas, who’s far more than his drool-worthy muscles and heroic job. He’s kind, funny, makes me breakfast in bed, and each midnight snowball fight brings us that much closer to heartbreak.

Atlas can’t stay in Kringle’s Crossing forever, and I can’t imagine leaving the only place I’ve called home. Our feelings run deep, but is it a holiday illusion? Can we find our way to a lasting future?

CATERED ALL THE WAY is a brand-new, full-length holiday romance from the beloved author of THE GEEK WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS. Lovers of stand-alone swoon-worthy Christmas stories will fall for this geek + military pairing. Full of spicy first times, bisexual awakening, quirky small-town residents, and guest appearances from some fan-favorite characters, this only one bed, brother’s best friend romance is sure to find a place under many trees! Dual POV and the happiest of endings guaranteed.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

I love Christmas romances. They are my version of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Except way better.

Annabeth Albert has brought us another adorable, sweet, hot romance just in time for Christmas. Set in the idyllic Kringle’s Crossing, we have Zeb, full time gaming streamer and part time cater waiter and retail worker for his family’s business. Every year he straps in to work the crazy season from Thanksgiving until Christmas. His brother’s best friend, Atlas, is due to arrive on leave from the military to help out. So Zeb finagles it so that Atlas stays with him instead of with Zeb’s brother. Not because he has a crush or anything. 😉

Atlas rather quickly realizes how attracted he is to Zeb. Which is a first for him. Zeb has no problem offering himself up on a platter for Atlas to experiment with. But of course the no strings attached experiment quickly grows strings. And they also have the shared history from when they were teens and Atlas was at their house often hanging out with Zeb’s brother.

There were actually quite a few little, or not so little, details that really caught my interest. Mostly because they gave the story and the characters that much more depth. And it wasn’t just Zeb and Atlas. But also Zeb’s brother and wife. The backgrounds of the men, their jobs, family issues and even a non-binary side character. So great to see that when if there are other LGBT+ characters they all seem to be close friends with each other. Nix worked there and was friendly, but they had their own life going on.

There were Easter eggs for those long time readers. Always fun. And selfishly, I love when a book is set in an area I sort of know. Kringle’s Crossing is fictitious, but other towns and areas mentioned were quite real.

This book will definitely hit you in the feels. Especially if you have experienced any of the situations that these characters have. Ultimately, you’ll be left with a smile and maybe a little Christmas cheer.

4 pieces of eye candy

Hide With Me (The Game Series Book 13) by Cara Dee: New Release Review

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𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐲𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤 • 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐱 • 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 & 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐲 • 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 • 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩 • 𝐃/𝐬 • 𝐌𝐌𝐌 • 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Don’t mind the sweet scent of waffles. That’s just little Gael breaking the resolves of two protective Daddies, one shy yet sinful bite at a time.

It’s no coincidence Gael Grimes is in Professor Aavik’s class. He’s had a crush on the professor since he first spotted the man in the kink community they’re both part of. According to Gael, Professor Aavik is just super dreamy! Distinguished, charismatic—a total silver fox. But when Gael’s ex-boyfriend ignores the restraining order against him and tries to reach out, another man steps out of the shadows, and Gael is suddenly at a loss for words and can’t describe the intense attraction.

Private investigator Joshua “Santiago” Jones has been keeping an eye on Gael for a while as a favor to a friend. Under different circumstances, he would’ve loved to get closer to Gael. The boy’s cuter than words, definitely on the Little spectrum, funny, smart…but this is work. The only reason Santiago has to get close now is to protect Gael from his stalker ex-boyfriend.
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The Game Series is a BDSM series where romance meets the reality of kink. Sometimes we fall for someone we don’t match with, sometimes vanilla business gets in the way of kinky pleasure, and sometimes we have to compromise and push ourselves to overcome trauma and insecurities. No matter what, one thing is certain. This is not a perfect world—and maybe that’s why the happily ever after feels so good.

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Oh I’ve been waiting for this book! I am a big fan of Cara Dee so I will read all of the books as they come out. But I was craving a new love story. New characters, new loves, new dynamics and boundaries and limits and roles. And I got them.

We knew Dean. As Walker’s step brother he has shown up before. Most notably when Walker and Macklin were figuring their relationship out. Also entering the picture ae Santiago and Gael. They have also had cameo’s in other books. But now we get to KNOW them as they get to know each other.

I always liked Dean, what we knew of him. So buttoned up and proper. A history professor and author. But behind closed doors he is filthy. And still almost proper if you can imagine.

Santiago is the kind of classic bad boy. A former cop who works as a private investigator now. The Tenley brothers have him looking into Gael’s ex boyfriend who is known to be rather stalkerish.

Since Dean and Santiago already knew each other and Gael is in Dean’s college class and Santiago is helping out Gael, it was the perfect storm for these men to find each other and explore what they are and can be.

Gael is so eager. He has zero experience, but mostly knows what he wants. Santiago and Dean have no problem helping him to explore.

Writing a triad story without one person becoming the center of attention or without one couple edging out the third. But Cara Dee knows how to do that. She’s done it before and she did it again. And while this is the third triad (pretty sure) in the Game series, all three triads are different from each other. There’s no falling on what she knows and did before. No changing of names to tell the same story. This one is as unique as the others.

Gael finding his submission and his middle/little self while Santiago and Dean guide him without pushing. He blossoms as he is free to be who he is. Especially after the toxic relationship he was in previously. And I do love that he isn’t one of the stereotypical body types we so often see. Refreshing.

Besides their burgeoning relationship, Gael also gets to experience one of his fantasies. Which, again, Cara Dee writes really well.

As much as I enjoyed this book and story, I feel like the Game included at the end of the book was unnecessary. Especially because it was so soon after the other thing. You’ll see.

And we were left hanging with something which has me like “ARGH!”. I’m sure Ms Dee is laughing knowing we are all probably like that.

Solid entry in the Game series. I can’t wait to hear more from these three. And to find out…..

4 pieces of eye candy

Next Season: MM Small Town/Hockey Romance (The Elmwood Stories Book 2) by Lane Hayes: New Release Review

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The injured hockey player and the grumpy chef…

Riley

My time playing pro hockey will be up soon. I can feel it. And I’ve heard the rumors: he’s too old, he’s had too many injuries, he’s lost his edge. I don’t want to admit it, but they could be right. Next season might be my last.

Or this season. Because of course, this is when the universe decides I need another concussion. It’s a doozy too—the kind that’s going to keep me off skates for a while.

Which is how I end up in a small New England town in the middle of nowhere Vermont, eating every meal at a diner where a grumpy chef from Quebec makes haute cuisine…and burgers. Jean-Claude is funny and charming and—

Okay, I have a crush on a gay man.

This is a new one.

Jean-Claude

Confused straight men are entertaining. But Riley is…fascinating, sexy, and curiously vulnerable. His injury has rocked his confidence a bit, so perhaps he’s in need of a friend. Any friend. Even moi.

I’m an unlikely choice, but maybe he just likes my tuna salad.

No…I think it’s me.

And though I’m happy to help him explore his bisexual curious side, I have career concerns of my own. See, the things I love most about Elmwood seem shaky and uncertain, but not Riley. He’s solid and genuine. Suddenly, this temporary secret liaison feels more real than anything in my life.

I need more than this season. I want it all. With Riley.

Next Season is an MM bisexual-awakening romance featuring a grumpy chef, an injured hockey player, and a big HEA in a small town where anything can happen.

Title: Next Season
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 57k
Series: The Elmwood Stories, Book 2
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Bi-awakening, Small Town, Hockey, Grumpy/Sunshine, Holiday

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

We are back in Elmwood, but a few years have passed. I like that. I mean, I am all for suspending reality (I mean, don’t go crazy) but when almost no time has passed before the next couple meet and fall in love it’s just too quick. I like seeing the time progression.

This time it is a current player who is flirting with retirement when he takes a hard hit on the ice leaving him with a pretty severe concussion and a nice head wound. Riley needs to recover, quietly, so his friend and former teammate offers the house his husband owns and was planning on selling to recuperate.

If you read book one, you HAD to be intrigued with Jean-Claude and want more of his story. Well we get it over the course of the book as he and Reilly get to know each other. I liked that Reilly had no inkling of liking men or being bi before this. So it took him by surprise, but he also wasn’t icked out about it. He had moments of “is this too gay?” but they are very quickly brushed aside.

While Reilly slowly recovers and Jean-Claude accepts that this is a short term thing, they really develop a close relationship. I loved that they were supposedly on the down low (hahahahaha, small towns) but had no problem hanging out in public. I hate when it’s a secret and they act like they hate each other in public.

Jean-Claude’s back story is a bit angsty, but not too bad. It definitely helps explain why he is a bit grumpy and gruff. On the outside. Really he is a big teddy bear. Another thing I liked. He wasn’t what many would think of as a “gay, French Canadian chef”. That is to say, he was no twink. In fact, he was slightly bigger than Reilly the pro hockey player.

Overall it was a sweet story and I really liked these guys together. I don’t feel like either one sacrificed anything for their relationship. They just made each other stronger.

There are other gay men in Elmwood and I want their stories next please!

4 pieces of eye candy