Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

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Bad Deal: MM SEAL Bodyguard Romance (A-List Security Book 3) by Annabeth Albert: New Release Review

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I’m a bodyguard and far from ideal boyfriend material, but agreeing to this fake dating scheme might be the best bad deal I’ve ever made…
I’m a fixer. As a SEAL chief, I succeeded in impossible no-win situations. Now I’m retired and determined to improve the lives of my former military teammates through our Hollywood security firm. Plus, I get to guard intriguing people like Ambrose Sterling, creator of one of my favorite TV shows.

Of course, I want to keep Ambrose safe. When he’s attacked, I leap into action to save him and his scrappy little therapy dog.

But my good deed results in a coastal road trip with me pretending to be Ambrose’s boyfriend to keep him out of more danger.

I don’t do relationships, and I’ve never thought about dating a man before, but here I am, sizzling with every touch and dreaming about more stolen kisses.

Each night of white-hot passion brings us closer to an unbreakable bond. But I’m blue-collar, and Ambrose is Hollywood elite. I want a happy ending more than anything. Can I turn this fake boyfriend gig into the real thing, or am I just a guest star?

BAD DEAL is book three in the A-List Security series. It features a highly protective SEAL bodyguard, a suit-wearing silver fox, an adorably ugly dog, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels readers expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and the celebrity clients who win their hearts. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

This is the second book this week that I have read where one of the main characters didn’t have any experience with men, but also didn’t doubt what he felt or that he could be “good enough” for the other main character. So refreshing!

Book 3 in the series (easily read as a stand alone) gives us Harley, owner of the security firm that is working a television shoot on site. One of his favorite tv shows. Written by the silver foxy Ambrose, Hollywood royalty.

I loved that it is Ambrose who has a crush on Harley first, instead of the other way around. It made Ambrose so much more real instead of untouchable Hollywood elite. His sister on the other hand…she bugged me. Anyway.

The overprotective sister enlists Harley as Ambrose’s plus one and to act as a bodyguard to her daughter’s wedding after he had a scare. Which leads us to the classic forced proximity/fake boyfriend. BUT, these guys actually like each other as humans. So many forced proximity/fake boyfriend tropes the guys hate each other for a myriad of reasons.

The self professed perma bachelor is actually quite good at the fake boyfriend stuff. So much that the faint line that was there is easily crossed. And he doesn’t fight it. Just kind of goes with the flow. He realizes that he isn’t straight, but pan. Or maybe not that he just realizes it, but he says it out loud. And is ready to act on it. With Ambrose.

A little more back story to why Ambrose had a panic disorder, or what brought it on would have been helpful. Because that is the main reason his sister is SO protective of him. It was bad enough that he has meds and a support dog. Perhaps she wouldn’t have bugged me so much if I knew more.

The chemistry between the two men is undeniable. They are completely open with each other and what they like sexually. No one stumbles or is afraid to speak up. That confidence that they had together spoke volumes.

This one is definitely my favorite of the series so far. Not that I didn’t like the others because I certainly did. But there’s something about these 2 guys that was just perfect.

4 pieces of eye candy

This is the third book in the A-List Security series, but does well as a stand alone. You do see the characters from the previous two books, but for short periods of time. This book spends quite a lot of time with Ambrose and Harley on a road trip.

Ambrose, a silver fox, grew up in Hollywood, because his father was famous, but he was more creative, as opposed to his sister who was more of the business side of their production company. (**Small spoiler here: I’ll be honest, I kept wondering if the sister was going to be a “villain” in the book – like perhaps she organized the protests or something – because she was not my favorite. She was beyond overprotective, almost a bit condescending for my tastes. But alas no villain, which was nice since I didn’t want Ambrose hurt.) Ambrose had a lot of anxiety, having an emotional support dog, which my visual of Hercules made him so adorable, yet we don’t really understand what that was about. I would have liked to know more about that. He did seem to become more confident as he felt safer with Harley, though. I also REALLY liked that Ambrose wasn’t a snob (his sister was). He was willing to help around the cabin, learn new things, not something one would expect from his pedigree.

Harley, meanwhile, only recently came to the realization that he was pan (prior to starting anything with Ambrose), and was surprisingly okay with it. Some nervousness telling his family, but overall, he understood that it was just another part of him, just as yet unexplored. We don’t often read about pan or demi characters, so it was nice to have that. As a fake boyfriend, he was great, even if he thought he would never make a good one, in real life or fake. He treated Ambrose so kindly, never made him feel less than when Ambrose had any sort of anxiety or nervousness, and treated Hercules like he was his own.

I loved that they explored sex and intimacy together, as Harley learned what they both liked. Harley didn’t have a SEAL ego that he had to know everything, he let Ambrose guide him to what would work for them both. And while they were hot together, they also were fine with just being together, hanging out, cuddling, etc. It also wasn’t all about f*cking, there were aspects of their sex life that you very rarely read about in books, which isn’t easy to do!

I really enjoyed this one, because these two were so romantic together. They definitely needed to learn to communicate better, but they cared about each other, and weren’t afraid to speak the words, when they could get the nerve to do it.

I’m looking forward to the next book (there’s a little preview in the back of Bad Deal), which has Avery, which we meet briefly in this book. Should be another fun one. (Speaking of Bad Deal…I never did figure out where the title came from. lol)

4 pieces of eye candy

About Last Night by Aimee Nicole Walker: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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The bicurious cop and his sharp-dressed man…

Detective Christopher “Topher” Carnegie is unlucky in love. He either tries too hard, doesn’t try hard enough, or hasn’t found the right person yet. But recently, he’s started seeing Julian Fine, his sister’s best friend, in a new light. If there’s one thing a fabulous tailor knows, it’s how to take a person’s measure. Julian recognizes a straight man when he sees one, but that doesn’t stop him from falling head over heels for the unattainable man.

Just a few short days and one shared bed…

When a white lie backs Julian into a corner, Topher steps in to save the day. He’s worked plenty of undercover assignments before, but pretending to be Julian’s boyfriend during a family wedding might be his most dangerous mission yet. Julian challenges everything Christopher knows about himself, and soon, reaching for each other feels as natural as breathing. But can their newfound feelings survive the real-world challenges they face? There’s only one way to find out.

About Last Night is a low-angst standalone romance within the author’s Savannah universe.

This book contains mature content and is intended for adults.

Title: About Last Night
Authors: Aimee Nicole Walker
Length: 65K
Series: Standalone in Walker’s Savannah Universe
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: sister’s best friend, forced proximity, bi-awakening, and fake boyfriend.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

I bolted upright. “Are you hurt?”

“Nah,” he said, waving me off. “I just had an incident with the ground tonight, and my shoulder is stiff.”

I scooted back deeper on the couch, spread my legs, and patted my thighs. “Let me see if I can ease some tension for you.”

Christopher gave me a tentative smile and shook his head slightly. “I’m okay.”

“Take him up on his offer if you’re hurting, Toph,” Harper said as she returned her attention to the drama on the TV. “He has magic hands.”

“Words I never want to hear my sister say again,” Christopher said.

I lifted my hands and studied them as if seeing them for the first time. “They look pretty average to me,” I said.

Harper snorted. “Magic. Capital M.”

I waggled my brows at Christopher, then patted my thighs once more. He smiled and shook his head, even as he eased off the couch and scooted over to sit between my feet. Christ, his shoulders were broad. I had to spread a little wider to make room for him.

I looked at my ordinary hands once more. Please don’t fail me now. I gently placed them on Christopher’s shoulders and noted the tension tightening his body. Was it from being so close to me, or was he in more pain than he was letting on? I carefully pushed my fingers into the meaty part of his shoulder. “Tell me where you need me most,” I said, moving my thumbs around to probe the areas.

“Warmer,” he said when I moved lower. “Maybe both hands on my left shoulder since that’s where I hurt most.”

I move my right hand over and used both thumbs to dig into each new knot I discovered.

“Oh!” Christopher said, his entire body stiffening.

I stilled. “Oh or ow?”

“Maybe both,” he said. “I want to pull away and lean into your touch at the same time.”

Harper snorted. “I’m getting grossed out.”

“Yeah,” Christopher said, “and I didn’t like hearing your headboard banging against my wall when you had a visitor on Saturday night.”

Harper’s face flushed red, and she narrowed her eyes. “You were supposed to be on a date.”

Trying to head off a fight, I adjusted my pressure and said, “How’s this?”

Christopher let out the sluttiest moan I’d ever heard. “Holy fuck, that feels good. God, give me more.” I pushed a little deeper into the knot and worked it until the muscle relaxed. “Magic hands, indeed. Not just a capital M. All caps and bold print.”

I leaned closer to his ear. “But not underlined?”

Christopher’s head fell back onto the couch cushion between my legs, and he stared up into my eyes. “Double underline,” he said huskily, then closed his eyes. “Please don’t stop.”

“Seriously, should I go to my room?” Harper asked.

“Yes,” Christopher replied while I said, “No.”

This story was so fun for many reasons. Topher is a detective working with Sawyer Key at the Savannah PD. So it’s a character we know but who is finally getting his story. Because of that, we get SOME Locke and Key interaction, but not a lot. This is not their story.

Another reason is the seamless way Julian’s story, starting with when he moves to Savannah, is told and then there is a 3 year time jump. In a short time we get to know him, his new bff Harper, where they live and most of Harper’s family. Including her brother Topher. Julian flirts with Topher starting at their first meeting. And never stopping. Even though Topher is straight. And his best friend’s brother. But that is just who Julian is. Out, loud, proud and doesn’t hold back. Even though he does curtail his flirting while Christopher is in relationships. Plural. Because they never last.

Instead of various mysteries and cold cases, this book gives us a story about just the two men. I mean, mostly. There’s a wedding and an ex boyfriend and lots of family members. But the main story is Julian and Topher falling in love with each other. Julian realizing that his dream man is really that dreamy as a boyfriend. And Topher realizing that he’s not nearly as straight as he thought.

There was never that “don’t use me as an experiment” thing or “you should try out other guys”. I hate that plot device. No one was out to prove anything because how they felt for each other was obvious. And of course it was obvious to EVERYONE ELSE besides them for a long time.

Savannah to Atlanta and back and Julian does a full circle with Topher right there with him.

It was swoony and sexy and funny and I loved it.

4 pieces of eye candy

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Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

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My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

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Haydn (BAR 28, Book 5) by JJ Harper: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, and Giveaway

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Haydn
I’ll never find a boyfriend. Who would want me? I’m too shy, too geeky, too ugly. And I carry a truckload of baggage.

A few hookups, some quick groping in the dark, is all I’ve had, but I want more.

A man who takes over the reins every now and then. A man who tells me what to do and takes care of me.

Jonas is the man I’ve dreamt about. Quiet and funny, kind to patrons and staff alike. When his voice turns to steel, all I want to do is drop to my knees before him.

Too bad he’s my boss. No way would he be interested in me. And even if he is, can I trust him with my past?

Jonas
I’ve given up on finding my man. My brothers found their happily ever after, and I’m happy for them. But it’s not in the cards for me. Believe me. I’ve tried. I’ve had boyfriends, but as soon as my instinct to control kicks in, they broke up with me.

One look at Haydn and I know he’s the one for me. A ray of sunshine, bubbling with energy, and so eager to please.

He has secrets he’s not willing to share. I’m a patient man, though. I’ve waited thirty-six years for the perfect man. I can wait until he trusts me and opens up to me.

Haydn is an MM romance featuring hurt/comfort, low angst, instant attraction, a bubbly geeky boy, and a man who likes to be in control. It’s book 5 in the BAR 28 series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. This book is based in the UK and is written in British English.

Title: Haydn
Authors: JJ Harper
Length: 72K
Series: BAR 28, Book 5 (other books also available for review)
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: hurt/comfort workplace romance, low angst, instant attraction, nerd/boss.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Check out Bar 28 on Goodreads

“Will you come inside for a moment?” There I’d said it. Now I had to find the strength to tell him and show him what had happened to me. Kieran was away for the night, which gave me the peace and quiet I needed.

Jonas looked surprised but nodded. “If you’re sure, then yes, I’d love to.”

I unbuckled my seat belt and opened my door. His car door clicked shut. Then footsteps thudded on the pavement. I could do this. If I wanted any chance of a relationship with this gorgeous man, I needed to swallow my fear of how he would react.

“I’ll leave if it gets too much for you.” He spoke quietly and touched my elbow, just a brush, but it bolstered me.

I felt stronger, braver. He understood me. I wanted him here with me, in my own space.

Inside, I went straight to the staircase. I had my own living quarters. Kieran and I got on brilliantly, but we didn’t live in each other’s pockets.

Without hesitation, I opened the door to the living room and let him walk in first. Would he love it as much as I did? It was a converted bedroom and had just enough space for the large sofa I’d found on eBay. The purple velvet was very regal and utterly ridiculous. I’d found the oak coffee table and faux Tiffany lamps in charity shops. They shouldn’t go together, but they fit. Over the years, I had made this place my own little haven by adding throw pillows, kitsch picture frames, and colourful glass bottles. I loved browsing at markets and car boot sales for the best bargains. Hence my bookcase full of books. My pride and joy was the collection of cellophane-wrapped comic books given to me when I was eleven. Some of them were first editions and worth a lot of money. Would he think keeping them was childish?

Jonas had moved around, taking it all in. He felt so right here. His hand found mine, and he entwined his fingers with mine. “This is a gorgeous room. Very you.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”

“Good, it is one. This room is intriguing, welcoming, and fun. Just like you.” He squeezed my hand.

“Would you like a drink? I’ve got tea, coffee, water, diet Coke, or beer.” Now he was here, flutters stirred in my belly again. I needed to start the conversation, but it was difficult.

“I’m good for now, thanks.”

“Okay, so why don’t we sit down, and I’ll get to the point.” I waited until he sat in the corner of the sofa, then perched on the other end, balancing on the edge.

“Haydn, we don’t have to talk. You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I like you, and my feelings for you won’t stop with a story from your past. It can stay there for as long as you like. Forever if needs be.”

“That’s why I want to tell you because I like you too. We’ve only known each other for a few weeks, but if we have any chance at taking it further, you need to know. You don’t know everything about me, and what I’m about to share with you could change how you feel about me or if there could be an us. I promise I won’t be offended if you only want to be friends with me.”.                                    .

You will normally find her in the living room—typing away—with her wayward puppy, Siddiqi. As a hopeless romantic, JJ dives into her stories, always falling in love with her men, making sure they get the happy-ever-after they deserve, even if they do have to work hard for it.
JJ lives in a small, very quiet, village in Lincolnshire, UK, with her husband and dog, and spends all day dreaming up stories full of really hot men

Connect with JJ:

Website: https://www.jjharper-author.com
Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorJJHarper
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jessjhoney
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/ha7whyj6
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessjharper
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jj-harper
Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/3CsWs2A
Harper’s Honeys: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HarpersHoneys/ a Rafflecopter giveaway

Making Waves (Franklin U Series, Book 7) by Christina Lee: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, and New Release Review

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Alex Larsen

Remy Duval was my high school crush and secret first kiss, but he’s also so much more. A painter, a tattoo artist, my best friend’s older brother…and Bailey’s sworn enemy. It was easier to keep my distance the past two years, but now that Bailey and I are attending Franklin University with him, I’m only drawn to Remy more. I should be loyal to my best friend, focus on classes and swim team, but the more I see Remy around campus, the harder it becomes to stay away.

Remy Duval

My brother hates me, but that’s nothing new. I’ll take the fall for ruining our family if it means doing the right thing. But as soon as my brother and his best friend show up on campus, I know I’m in trouble. Alex is all grown up, and I can’t help wanting him, especially when he’s in those tiny swim briefs that emphasize everything.

One kiss leads to more, and before we know it, we’re tumbling into secret, no strings attached hookups. But who knew Alex would understand me in ways few others have? And I think, just maybe, I understand him too.

I keep telling myself it’s temporary. Alex doesn’t want to disappoint his best friend and after what my parents went through, I’m not looking to settle down. Making waves is nothing new but the further I fall, the more I drag Alex in the deep end with me.

Title: Making Waves
Authors: Christina Lee
Length: 65K
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 7
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: brother’s best friend, new adult, college, sports.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

“Would you mind holding mine too?” Jordan asked from behind Alex.

“What am I, a coatrack?” I huffed an overly exaggerated breath.

Alex bit back a grin. “If you don’t dance, that’s what you become.”

I shook my head and took Jordan’s jacket off his hands.

My eyes tracked Alex the whole way to the dance floor, where he lifted his arms in the air, closed his eyes, and took in the music. Fucking hell, I could watch him all night.

In the middle of the second song, Jordan stripped off his top, and to my utter amazement, Alex followed suit. He wiped his brow with the fabric, then hung the shirt around his neck. His smile was shy and his eyes hungry as they sought mine. My gaze panned from his hair to his chest, where his nipples stood prominent, either from the cool air hitting them or my admiring eyes. Alex dipped his head and turned away, giving me his back, and that ass…not at all a bad view.

Except it got better and a hell of a lot more interesting when both of them pushed down their pants to reveal their swim briefs underneath. “They draped the pants over their shoulders and kept dancing, receiving appreciative glances from every direction, and I was getting hot under the collar—or rather, Alex’s collar. Even Steve perked up and began dancing with Jordan, his hands as greedy as his eyes.

I waffled between staring openly at Alex and marching onto the dance floor to throw his jacket over his shoulders. Especially when there were more hands and eyes on him as a result, like sharks circling the waters. Alex was eating it up, though, even as his skin flushed pink and his eyes kept darting in my direction every other second to check that I was watching him.

Once the song ended, Alex was winded, his neck rosy red, and he could barely meet my eyes as he slipped his pants back on but kept his shirt hanging around his neck. He left the dance floor alone and made a beeline toward me.

Some angst! Be still my heart! Ok, the angst was meh…

Best friend’s brother, bi awakening. The angst comes from Remy telling his mother that his father has been cheating. Of course that leads to divorce, but Remy’s brother thinks Remy destroyed the family.

Alex is the best friend of Remy’s brother, Bailey, and had a one night thing with Remy 2 years ago. Now that they are all at the same college, Alex is torn between being a good friend to Bailey and following his feelings for Remy.

Listen, Bailey needed a smack upside the head. Like what a whiny little brat! I’m surprised that his mother put up with it. But because Bailey is still mad at Remy, Alex and Remy have to hide and keep their friends with benefits on the down low.

The book was ok. Bailey took up too much page time being a brat and it detracted from the romance between Remy and Alex. And as much as I try to suspend reality when reading but for Remy to be a tattoo artist without going through years of training bugged me.

I appreciated that Alex and Bailey were involved in a different sport (swimming) instead of football or baseball, the usual ones. But for all the talk of their schedules, they made time to have social lives.

Just a bit lacking for me…

3 pieces of eye candy

Once upon a time, Christina Lee was a wardrobe stylist in New York City. She spent her days schlepping clothes, hailing cabs, and on the hunt for the perfect lip gloss, which became a bit of an addiction—along with books and coffee. You could always find her perched in a corner booth of a favorite diner sipping a dark roast and reading.

She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband and son—her two favorite guys. She’s been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher and while very rewarding, they still didn’t feel like an exact fit. It wasn’t until she began writing a weekly column for the local newspaper that the bells went off in her head. She could finally draw from her real-life experiences and vivid imagination to write fiction—and she’s never looked back.

Christina writes romance in different sub-genres, but mostly with LGBTQ characters because representation matters and everyone deserves a happily-ever-after.

Connect with Christina:
https://linktr.ee/authorchristinalee

The Rivals of Casper Road (Garnet Run Book 4) by Roan Parrish: New Release Review

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He’s in it to win it

Until he falls under his neighbor’s spell.

Bram Larkspur’s rugged, sexy looks belie his fear of all things horrifying. But as Casper Road’s newest resident, he’s excited to join the annual Halloween decorating contest. The competition is keen, especially from six-time champion, architect Zachary Glass. But when enigmatic Zachary sparks a prank war, it’s game on—until one sizzling kiss turns these rivals into allies. Now only one thing scares Bram: how quickly he’s losing his heart to Zachary.

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Amazon 

Harlequin

Garnet Run

Book 1: Better Than People
Book 2: Best Laid Plans
Book 3: The Lights on Knockbridge Lane
Book 4: The Rivals of Casper Road

This is the fourth book in the Garnet Run series by this author, and the second to be published under the Harlequin Special Edition romance line, and it makes my little heart so happy to see gay romance being represented in a product line that I’ve been reading since I was a teenager. And Roan Parrish is a great author to have this opportunity.

On to this particular book. Bram Larkspur might be the sweetest man I’ve ever seen written. Scared of horror movies, frightening Halloween displays and the like (I’m right there with you, Bram!), and nothing but positivity in all things he comes in contact with. He had his heart broken by his best friend and boyfriend, so decided to move away to start over. Even with that kind of heaviness weighing him down, he still managed to only be positive and happy most times.

Zachary Glass, an architect that worked from home and seemed to rarely leave his house, was obsessed with making the most elaborate Halloween display each year. I was a little perplexed at this. He didn’t really seem to like Halloween, or the children, just the competition of beating the others on Casper Road, and outdoing himself every year. He was honestly a difficult man to like from the beginning. He was unpleasant much of the time, not welcoming, and when his routine was disturbed it caused great stress. This last part I understood more, simply by understanding that his personality was that of a recluse, like his best friend Wes, and although it was never stated, he seemed to be neurodivergent. He did struggle with niceties, but was willing to try for Bram. But when he neglected to tell Bram about the Denver job, I kind of wanted to have Bram say “well, forget it then”.

However, I did end up liking them as a couple. Zachary was who he was. Confessed to not liking dogs, but was still kind to Hemlock, talked to Bram’s family, yet stood up for Bram when they seemed to forget that he was an adult and capable of making decisions.

There were some unsettled issues that kind of broke my heart, and could lend itself to a sequel, or it could just be that that’s how life is…you don’t always find the answers you were looking for. The way that Zachary came to terms with this issue at the end brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes you simply have to accept, and hope that it finds a way to be a light for you, and not bring you into the dark further.

Overall, these were very different characters than I’ve seen from this author, and I loved getting to see characters from past books pop in, but still with a satisfying ending.

3.75 pieces of eye candy

Learning Curve (Franklin U Book 6) by N.R. Walker: RB, Exclusive Excerpt, Release Day Review and Giveaway

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Cobey Green
There I was, moving into the dorms at Franklin U and not into the shared party house I’d lived in my freshman year. Last year had been all about football and parties, not schoolwork. Which was why my grades tanked. Why I was one failed class away from being kicked off the team.
Why I needed to live on campus and find myself a tutor.
Funny that my new roommate just happens to be a tutor. Funny that he’s oblivious to how hot he is. For a smart guy, he’s pretty clueless. Maybe I could tutor him in how to be more outgoing in exchange for help with calculus? I could teach him how to talk to people, how to make new friends. Hell, maybe I could even help him punch his V card.
Actually, now that I think about it… that’s a really good idea.

Vincent Brandt
And there I was, happy to be back at college, happy to be where I was most comfortable. Happy to be starting another school year, happy to start tutoring again so I could earn some money.
And yes, there I was equal parts excited and dreading to see who my new roommate would be… until Cobey Green’s smiling face appeared at the door. A huge football player loved by everyone, gorgeous, rich, and out of the closet.
Everything I’m not.
It doesn’t help that he’s genuinely a really nice guy. It doesn’t help that I make him laugh and we can talk so easily. And it certainly doesn’t help that we start having private tutoring sessions, which end up way more private than I’d ever dare imagine.
I’d ranked top of my class in every subject since the first grade, yet there I was falling stupidly in love with him.

This was going to be a hell of a year. And one very steep learning curve for both of us.

Title: Learning Curve
Authors: N.R. Walker
Length: 55K
Series: Franklin U Series, Book 6
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: geek/jock, opposites attract.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

He smirked. “You can tell what people think? What am I thinking right now?”

He was joking, clearly. I might have rolled my eyes. “You’re wishing you ordered pizza from anywhere but here instead of that salad.”

He grinned. “Wow. You actually can read my mind.” He pushed his empty plate away. “It’s not so bad. I gotta watch what I eat. I had a huge lunch of carbs and protein, so it evens out.”

God, his entire life was diet, exercise, training. Football, football, football. He was dedicated, that was for sure.

I offered him my hardly touched plate of mac and cheese. “Want this? I won’t tell your coach if you don’t. You’re a huge guy. You need to eat more than salad. Plus, you went jogging again today. Consider it a reward.”

He eyed the pasta. He definitely wanted it, so I pushed it closer to him. He took one mouthful and his excitement ended as soon as the taste registered. Or maybe it was the texture.

He struggled to swallow it and quickly washed it down with his glass of water. “Have mercy, that’s awful.”

I snorted. “It’s not that bad.” I mean, college food wasn’t good either, but it sure as hell beat no food.

He shook his head and pushed the offending plate away from both of us. “On a scale of one to fucking awful, it’s an eleven. You said it was a reward. That is not a reward. That’s not even a punishment. It’s a crime.”

I laughed and looked over to the service area. “Want me to get you something else?”

Smiling, he shook his head. “No, but thank you.” He was quiet for a bit, but he kept his eyes on me. “So, what’s your major?”

“I’m double majoring in math and tech science.”

He stared. “So you are a genius. Bumbles wasn’t joking.”

“Bumbles? He mentioned me?”

“Ah, yeah, I ran into him earlier. After your tutor session. He said you were a nice guy and a genius. I didn’t realize he meant literally. But I guess if you are tutoring seniors . . .”

“Oh.” I wasn’t sure why I was embarrassed. “Uh. I haven’t done an actual IQ test since high school, so the results could be outdated.”

“But? Was it high?”

I smiled. “It was okay.”

He nodded. “So it was high. Higher than Snoop Dog and Willie Nelson locked in a dispensary?”

I laughed. “Maybe not that high.”

Book 6 takes us to the dorms. Cobey is a sophomore moving to the dorms because his freshman year in a house with football players like himself did not do his grades any favors. He isn’t happy. Less happy when he finds out he will have a roommate as well.

Vincent is shy and quiet. Keeps his head down and does his work. Helps that he is a genius.

Cobey and Vincent are the epitome of opposites. Shy vs outgoing, popular vs no one knows who he is, all books vs all football. But Cobey is another one of those guys who is just happy and friendly and everyone loves him. Vincent can’t help but be lured in as well.

Cobey is helping Vincent with his social game, of which he has none. And Vincent will tutor Cobey in calculus.

They are quickly inseparable. I love watching them play off of each other. Vincent with his smarts and Cobey with his unending social game. Cobey definitely spends more time “tutoring” Vincent than Vincent does literally tutoring Cobey. But seeing as the tutoring now involves kissing and more, no one is complaining.

Also unique was that Vincent had NO social media. At all. So when they start showing up together on various pages, it doesn’t affect him in the least. Kind of cool.

Of course they were super adorable together. And Vincent does start to stretch his wings a bit.

There’s just about zero angst, even with Vincent having a crappy upbringing. But all of these Franklin U books have been like that. Just college guys, living their best lives, friends, sports, parties… quintessential college life.

4 pieces of eye candy

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

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

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

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

She’s been writing ever since…

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