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Under the Northern Lights (Love Abroad series) by Kelsey Hodge: Release Day Review

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Luke
I had a plan. Get a job abroad and leave my boring life behind. I land a great job and an even better roommate, but when my feelings move beyond friendship, I do the only thing I can to stop repeating my past — I avoid him. Then, one night, everything changes, and I need to decide if telling the truth is worth the risk.

Dalton
Being attracted to the straight roommate is never a good idea. It only leads to pain and disappointment. But I can manage friendship, so why is Luke suddenly avoiding me? It all comes to a head under the wonder of the Northern Lights, and I have a choice — do nothing or make a move, risking my heart either way.

New to me author, but I love books set in Scandinavia so I was all in.

Quick, light, fun read. Zero angst here. The biggest angst was at the beginning when Luke decided he needed a big change in his life. What bigger change than going from England to a Norwegian island so far north it is in the artic circle for a one year job?

We are introduced to the small town in Norway and Luke’s new roommate Dalton. Sparks smolder for a while until coworkers trick them into going on a date. Definitely cute.

They quickly decided to be boyfriends and the rest is history.

Nice epilogue 2 years in the future as well…

It’s light, short, sweet, steam level low, angst non existent. I’ll call this my first beach read of the year.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Only You (’90s Coming of Age Book 3) by Leta Blake: RB, Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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’90s Coming of Age, Book 3

Join Peter Mandel on his final steps to love in Only You, the highly-anticipated third and final book of Leta Blake’s ’90s Coming of Age series.

Despite the lingering wounds of his past relationship, Peter is ready to take a chance on finding a faithful love and embracing his true self.

Peter and Daniel explore their connection despite Daniel’s complicated home life. But when Adam resurfaces, desperate to win Peter back, Peter must confront his complicated feelings and the painful ghosts of their shared past.

Only You is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the series, and a must-read for fans of New Adult Romance and Coming-of-Age fiction.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Pictures of You (’90s Coming of Age Book 1)

You Are Not Me (’90s Coming of Age Book 2)

The phone rang just as the buzzer on the toaster oven went off. I hissed as I tugged the pizza bagel free and dropped it, steaming, on a plate. Rushing to answer the phone next, anxiety roiled inside me. What if it was Adam?

“Hey, you.”

Daniel.

The peace his voice gave me was like absolution. No matter what I’d done in the past, somehow, I’d ended up here with Daniel on the other end of the line. Everything was going to be all right. Everything was fine.

Daniel would never lie about me, about us, or about who he was and what he wanted. He’d never be like Adam. He’d always be what he’d been right from the start.

Honest.

“Hey,” I answered, a smile on my lips. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.”

“My mom leaves Saturday morning. For real this time. Are you still up for that party I mentioned?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Because I’ve missed my friends, but most of all, I’ve missed seeing you.”

“Daniel?”

“Yeah?”

I didn’t know what I’d been about to say. Was I going to tell him about Leslie’s letter? No. I didn’t want to burden him with that. “Nothing. I just wanted to be sure of you.” I didn’t know how else to explain that I’d wanted to confirm that we were together.

“Be sure of me,” Daniel said, pitching his voice lower. “Saturday night, I’ll show you just how sure of me you can be.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Petey, are you okay?”

I laughed. “You’re such a goofball. And, somehow, that’s just not as good as ‘Danny, are you okay?’ Doesn’t have quite the same ring.”

Daniel snorted. “No, it doesn’t.” He paused. “But yes, it’s a promise. You can be sure of me, and also…are you okay? You sound tense.”

I fingered Leslie’s letter and then wadded it up and tossed it into the trash. “I’m good. Just needed to hear your voice.”

“And I needed to hear yours, so we’re even.”

“Yeah.” I took a bite of pizza bagel. “I love that about us.”

That was as close as I’d come to telling him I loved him. Maybe one day soon.

For now, just being on the phone with him was enough.

Whew! From what I have gleaned from social media posts, some of y’all have waited 10 years for this book? Again, so glad I was able to read them one right after the other.

Book 3!

Adam is back in town and went straight to Peter. Who caved like a house of cards. But will he finally FINALLY realize that Adam is the guy who is getting it all? While everyone else barely gets crumbs?

After the ride of the first 2 books, this one is definitely more of a roller coaster at a fair instead of a roller coaster at a theme park. Some ups and downs, but not as drastic.

And let me tell you. Adam who doesn’t get what he wants is a SCARY mofo. I could picture his face at times. Just that angry, evil look meant to make someone scared. Shudder.

Daniel has his own issues, but they are with his family-his mother in fact. So poor Peter keeps dating guys with family issues. Ok, not keeps, but both guys he has dated have some serious trauma. But Daniel manifests his trauma as trying to be the good guy for everyone and not really helping himself.

Shockingly, Peter helps him see that he has to put himself first sometimes. Seems our cute, nerdy outcast Peter has done some growing up.

A lot of the book is Peter and Daniel. Which is fine. Unfortunately, Peter has to reassure Daniel a lot. I wish he didn’t have to do that. I wish Daniel trusted Peter more.

There is a side story going on with the mess that is Minty. That boy. He has some issues and trauma himself. Probably the worst of everyone. I’d like to see him get his happily ever after.

As much as I really loved these books, I feel like the ending was a little anticlimatic. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a HEA and there was drama. But a little more would have been good too.

I still completely recommend these books. Especially if you love angst. And the nostalgia is great too.

4 pieces of eye candy

Author of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and the fan favorite Training Season, Leta Blake’s educational and professional background is in psychology and finance, respectively. However, her passion has always been for writing. She enjoys crafting romance stories and exploring the psyches of made up people. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her day job, her writing, and her family.

If you’d like to be among the first to know about new releases, you can sign up for Leta’s newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bdn32H

Bonus material for the Heat of Love series, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married series, Training Season series, Smoky Mountain Dreams, Mr. Frosty Pants, The River Leith, and more is available on Leta Blake’s Patreon account. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/letablake

Or you can find out more about her by following her online:

On the web: https://letablake.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letablake

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/LetaBlake a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Are Not Me (’90s Coming of Age Book 2) by Leta Blake: New Release Review

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Follow Peter into the summer following his senior year to face new beginnings, new friends, and old baggage.

After a tumultuous final year of high school, Peter Mandel needs a break. It’s the summer of 1991, and his secret relationship with his ‘best friend’ Adam Algedi is put on hold as Adam goes away to Italy for the summer. On the cusp of adulthood, Peter has a couple of months to explore who he is without Adam at his side.

Enter Daniel McPeak, a slightly older, out, responsible college guy with a posse of gay friends and an attraction for Peter. Drawn into the brave new world of the local gay club, Peter embarks on a whirlwind of experiences—good and bad—which culminate in a hotel room where he has to make the ultimate choice.

But Adam will come back eventually, and there are promises that have to be kept. As autumn draws near and college awaits, can Peter break free of the binds of twisted first love? And what exactly is Daniel’s role in his life – a brief temptation, or something more?

After the emotional roller coaster of book 1, I wasn’t sure what to expect for book 2. We got a different emotional roller coaster.

Now, instead of Adam controlling Peter’s life in person, he does it from Italy. Like omg! This guy has a girlfriend (Leslie), has a boyfriend (Peter) and wants permission to sleep with other people in Italy. Because he has needs. Oy!

Peter, for his part, is still listening to Adam and hanging on his every word while still being angry at the whole situation. He’s also avoiding his high school friends in favor of the couple of gay friends he has gotten. Including Daniel. You can feel the chemistry between them. But Daniel is a good guy and knows Peter is loyal to Adam even if Adam doesn’t deserve it.

Peter goes through some things towards the beginning of the book that he tells Adam about and Adam uses it against him. He is emotionally abuse to Peter and everyone can see it but him.

We get some new regular characters. Minty is the most visible being Daniel’s best friend. He is the type of completely fearless guy who also refuses to realize that HIV and AIDS is a thing. He is out, proud and loud. Tutus and dresses without a care in the world.

We also meet Bobby, Daniel’s PWA-person with AIDS that he helps. Bobby broke my heart. Dying of AIDS far too young. Withering away because in 1991, there wasn’t much that could be done medically. It very much was a death sentence. But Bobby’s wisdom and advice to both Peter and Daniel will probably stick with them forever.

Peter struggles throughout the book between wanting to stay faithful to Adam but realizing that what he feels for Daniel is just better.

Book 1 ended with Adam going to Italy. Book 2 ends with Adam coming home.

Imma just say, I am SO GLAD I got to read all three books back to back!

4 pieces of eye candy

Charisma Check (Dungeons and Dating Book 6) by Katherine McIntyre: New Release Review

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Never fall for the straight guy—Jasper knows better. At least until his straight guy crush starts crushing back…

Jasper Tanaka has made an art form out of avoiding commitment. Which is why his crush on a nearby café owner, Matt, has been perfect—the guy is straight, vanilla, and far too sweet—everything that puts him out of Jasper’s reach.

Matt Reed’s always been unlucky in love, never enough for his partners. And when his most recent girlfriend dumps him, he decides to take a chance on something new—a rope class. Lucky for him, Jasper’s there, and their time together sparks an attraction that both surprises and captivates Matt.

When a developer’s offer threatens to shut Tabletop Tavern down, Jasper’s grasping for any distraction possible—and Matt offers the perfect one. Except the intense feelings between become far too real, and if Matt decides this was just a curiosity, Jasper won’t survive the loss of the one guy he’s let in and the only home he’s ever known.

Roll the dice on romance at Tabletop Tavern…

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Dungeons and Dating Series – All on Kindle Unlimited

I got to this series late, having only read Dexterity Check and Charisma Check. However, you definitely don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one. Also, you don’t have to be a D&D nerd. 🙂 Turns out I know nothing about D&D and was able to follow (most of it) along.

This author does a great job of setting up a story, and I loved how this was a friendly relationship, with a crush on Jasper’s side, because Matt was straight so untouchable. Then they became friends before anything happened. They were set together during a ropes class at Whipped, where Matt became very confused by his reactions. He was always supposed to be the dominant one, being big and bulky. But he was a big teddy bear, dominance was not ever going to be his cup of tea.

Jasper surprised himself by being dominant when he assumed he was a sub. I loved that these two men worked to learn about themselves, and didn’t shy away from their truths, even if it was not convenient or what was expected. His parents…those were some horrible people, and I found myself hoping that whatever it was they wanted Jasper to do for them ended up ruining them financially. But guess we’ll never know. lol

Matt ended up being the one to make the first move, which considering how his self-esteem had taken some serious hits, was a big deal. Asking if he could kiss Jasper, after saying “well, I guess I’m not straight”…that had some feels. 🙂

The entire gang has to work to stop a nasty developer from ruining their businesses, and they aren’t afraid to dig up some dirt for it. It was a team effort, and it took all of them to come out on top and save the entire coalition.

All in all, a very good ending to a series that I will need to go back and read more of.

4 pieces of eye candy

Merlot Rebellion: An Enemies to Lovers Romance by Leigh Jarret: New Release Review

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Devastated when things don’t work out, Patrick refuses to even consider risking his heart again. As soon as he proclaims his love, everything always falls apart.

One afternoon while heading a wine tour, Patrick recoils when he encounters a man he’s been told is a monster by his latest ex-boyfriend.

Heartbroken, Charles is convinced his last breakup was his fault. His seductive looks are the only reason anyone ever picks him up. He has no other worth. His latest partner of seven years told him as much. He was cheated on, abandoned for another—replaced by a blond boy toy.

Then the vapid adulterer walks into his winery.

Amazon – All Regions

Another first time author for me. And another near miss.

Two men with the same ex boyfriend. They hate each other because of said ex boyfriend. Until they actually talk to each other.

Patrick is the free spirit type of guy. Just working to make money to live. Charles is the manager of a very nice winery.

They end up together but there was no heat there. No connection. All very surface for me. And Patrick, the guy who barely has enough money for rent we come to find out (toward the end) that he is a hoarder? Finding that out earlier would have given the story a little more interest.

Otherwise it’s Patrick thinking he isn’t good enough for Charles and Charles thinking how could anyone love him and just eye roll.

And other one with the characters who talk too formally. I’m sorry, but a guy in his 20’s, even with an ex boyfriend who knew wine, wouldn’t talk about buttery notes and oak aged versus not. I mean, maybe they would but, I don’t know.

Sorry, total miss for me.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Guys Like Him (Redemption Ridge Book One): Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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Redemption Ridge, Book 1

Kieran Sullivan is broken when he arrives at Redemption Ridge. A wrongful conviction and twenty months in lockup will do that to a man. The ranch is a place for second chances and fresh starts, but for him, it’s an opportunity to discover who set him up. Get in, get answers, and get out. The plan sounds easy enough until Kieran meets an equine specialist whose sunny smile could warm the coldest heart.

Finley Ashe is a sucker for bruised spirits and sad eyes. The horse whisperer and broken-boy magnet is six months into a hiatus from love when Kieran, the king of emotionally unavailable men, gets assigned to work under his supervision. Mutual attraction is gasoline on proximity’s flame, testing Finley’s resistance in new ways.

Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?

Guys Like Him is book one in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Guys Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Two faces came into view—one Finley knew well, the other he’d like to know better. Both men looked at him with grave concern. Their lips moved, but he couldn’t hear them over the alarm. A fire? He didn’t smell smoke. The ringing seemed closer and not as loud as it had been. Finley realized the ringing was in his ears. He locked his gaze on Cash because the other man stole his breath. Finley already had enough problems to contend with and didn’t want to add a lack of oxygen to the mix. Was he breathing? Finley inhaled deeply, testing to see if his lungs worked adequately. The ringing got quieter, but he still couldn’t make out the words Cash said. His boss looked at the stranger, and Finley couldn’t help shifting his gaze too. Christ, he was gorgeous. Black hair swept over a broad forehead. Dark brows slashed down to form a vee over eyes so dark they looked black. The man stared down at him with naked concern and something else in his gaze. The sexy stranger blinked and erected a shield of indifference, but it was too late. Finley recognized the emotion, and it called to something deep inside him like a lone coyote howling for its pack. Butterflies fluttered in Finley’s stomach, and his blood heated with excitement. But how had he ended up on his back in the barn staring at this beautiful lost boy?

A flash of memory detonated, clearing out his brain fog and reducing the ringing in his ears to a subdued hum. Lightning hadn’t struck, at least not literally. Finley had locked eyes with the sexiest man he’d ever seen, and something inside him had detonated with a whoosh. The smoldering stranger had used a flamethrower to light Finley’s dormant pilot light after a six-month relationship detox. He’d always been a little boy crazy with a habit of falling too hard and too fast and always for the wrong guy. But this was… Finley scrunched up his face as he tried to find the right word to describe his reaction, and that’s when he noticed a dull ache in the center of his forehead.

The entire encounter came flooding back in high definition. Gobsmacked by the newcomer’s beauty, Finley had stepped directly on the muck rake. The handle had flown up and cracked him a good one on the forehead, causing him to stagger back and fall onto the bags of bedding. Humiliation heated his cheeks, and he groaned.

“Finley, are you okay?” Cash’s concerned tone and worried blue eyes signaled his boss had mistaken the sound as a sign of physical distress, not mental anguish. Finley tried to sit up and clear the air, but Cash placed a gentle hand on his shoulder to keep him still. “Kieran, I need you to find Rueben Sanchez for me. He has emergency medical training and can assess Finley for a concussion.”

Finley had rattled his cage pretty well, but he was not concussed. “Not—”

Cash silenced his protest with a gentle squeeze. Finley shifted his gaze to the gorgeous man, who seemed to look right through him with those obsidian eyes. This stunning stranger might just be the most broken boy he’d encountered yet. This guy’s pain hovered over him like a rain cloud, stirring Finley’s protective and baser instincts. Oh, baby, come stand under my umbrella.  

A new series by Aimee Nicole Walker…yes, please. The sooner the better, TYVM. And I’m already in love with this series. Go figure. I’m one of this author’s biggest fans, so this is unsurprising.

This new series is aptly named Redemption Ridge, and has the man who runs it, Cash, giving men who served time a chance to get their lives back. In the first story, Kieran comes to Redemption Ridge to get revenge on the man he believes played a part in his wrongful conviction. Then Kieran and Finley meet, and Kieran begins to soften despite himself. He still wants to find the men who framed him, but he begins to understand that maybe he can find some happiness for himself as well.

Finley is such a good fit to Kieran. A huge heart, that falls for the wrong guys every time, but still continues on. This allows for a slow burn between these two. They have the opportunity to get to know each other, finding out their little quirks, to learn to trust each other. All before they fall into bed. They just begin to transition themselves into caring for the other, without their own permission. It’s particularly sweet.

The mystery is partially solved, but of course with this author, there is always an overarching mystery or suspense thread throughout the series, and this one will continue forward into Books 2 and 3.

The side characters help to round out this fantastic book. Finley’s mom is just fantastic (the “lube”…so funny), his sister who is resisting her own happy ending, and the foreman who will hopefully get his own HEA at some point. When you have great side characters, it just fills out a book so well, and this author does it better than most.

Highly recommend. 4.5 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.

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