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This is Real Release by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review

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A snarky English nerd. A hot American actor. When Christmas brings them together, they have more in common than they know…

Murdo doesn’t do Christmas, but this year, he’s looking forward to spending time with an old friend. Elodie’s working on a film starring Murdo’s Biggest Crush, the gorgeous Lukas Olsen. When Elodie asks him to give Lukas a lift from Logan International, Murdo can’t believe his luck. Lukas might be straight, but ogling’s acceptable—right?
Lukas arrives at the airport to find a gaggle of fans but no driver waiting and when he does turn up, the snarky Englishman can’t even remember where he’s parked. When they finally reach their destination, Lukas tries to tip him and Murdo makes his current opinion of Lukas very clear. His crush is over.

Things move from bad to worse when Murdo tells the director that Lukas’s English accent isn’t authentic. But a pang of guilt, and maybe a remnant of lust, has Murdo offering to give dialect lessons to a resentful Lukas. Only once they’re in Lukas’s house, annoyance turns into something far more dangerous, because Lukas isn’t out and never will be. He has too much to lose: career, fans, family and friends.

Yet something about Murdo makes Lukas want to risk it all…

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A Christmas story that is set at Christmas but it isn’t really a Christmas story even though one of them hates Christmas and the other is filming a Christmas movie. Got it? Good.

Murdo doesn’t hate Christmas, per se, he just doesn’t have fond memories of it and basically tries to ignore it. And since he is on break from his teaching job, he is headed New Hampshire to visit a college friend and go skiing. Alone. It’s fine.

The college friend is the assistant director on a movie filming right by where Murdo was going to ski, so lucky them that they can get a visit in. But she also needs Murdo to pick up the star of the movie at the airport and bring him. The movie star that Murdo has a crush on.

That crush is, well, crushed, when Lukas turns out to be a giant jerk. Even after Murdo successfully avoids a really bad car accident that involved a tractor trailer. How can anyone be mean to Murdo? He is adorable!

Lukas isn’t really a giant jerk. He’s just painfully attracted to Murdo. And deeply in the closet. But then Murdo is sort of but not really hired to help Lukas polish his English accent over the Christmas break. And Lukas can’t resist having Murdo near him.

Once they are at Lukas’ house they get along great. Even though you can cut the sexual tension with a knife. But behind closed doors and in the privacy of his own home, Lukas starts to open up. Flirting with Murdo. Touching Murdo. Even oh so casually saying, ‘oh btw, I’m gay’. Even though he has literally never said it out loud before.

Murdo gives Lukas the freedom and confidence to be who he is. Even though Murdo know that at the end of the day, Lukas will go back in the closet.

The conflict wasn’t what I expected. Ok, part of it was. But not the BIG one. But Lukas insisted that Murdo was innocent. Never, ever doubting him. I absolutely loved that. Lukas also never acted like a Big Star. You know the type that think they are better than everyone.

The epilogue was great and simply answered questions I had. And it was swoony.

4 pieces of eye candy

Love and History: Nerd/Jock MM Romance (The Script Club Book 6) by Lane Hayes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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.                                .

The sporty roommate, the professor, and a history lesson…

Holden
Ezra might be the most annoying roommate ever. He’s loud, obnoxious, and full of himself. So what if he’s a tall, muscular, tattooed jock? His tendency to strip to his boxers in the kitchen while helping himself to my food isn’t endearing in the slightest. Nope. Ezra has to go.

However, I have to admit, he’s the perfect fit to play the king for my historic reenactment event. Ezra in a royal robe…oh, this could be quite tantalizing indeed.

He might do it…if he loses a bet.

Hmm…

Ezra
Holden is the kind of dude who wears top hats and great coats while teaching astrophysics to brainiacs. Weird, right? But I gotta respect that level of commitment. And I respect him.

Sadly, Holden doesn’t feel the same way about me.

I guess I can’t blame him. Cranking his gears has been the highlight of my stint in geek land. I’ve never seen anyone get riled about yogurt like him. He makes me laugh. And think. And want things I’d never thought possible.

So yeah, I’ll take that history lesson. And if it leads to something more, I’m in.

Love and History is a bi-awakening geek/jock romance featuring a messy law student, a picky professor, and a lesson neither will forget!

Title: Love and History
Authors: Lane Hayes
Length: 64K
Series: The Script Club, Book 6
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Geek/Jock, Bi-awakening, enemies to lovers, roommates to lovers, romantic comedy.

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Goodreads

An awkward silence stretched between us, making it difficult to breathe. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t touch him. This wasn’t okay.

“Are you all right?”

I released my grip on his neck and sat beside him, wringing my hands fretfully. “No, I’m sorry. I can’t pretend that didn’t happen. I kissed you and—”

“And I liked it.”

Silence.

“You…I don’t—” I squinted as if that would help me understand him. “That was supposed to be a joke kiss.”

“Got it. I didn’t think it was real,” he replied logically. “We’re roommates.”

“I know,” I whispered.

Ezra cocked his head. “You want to do it again?”

Yes, I did. I one thousand percent wanted to kiss him again. I wanted to touch him too and—

Wait. He was joking.

“Why can’t you be serious about…anything?” I licked my lips nervously and plucked at my duvet.

“I am serious,” he replied with an inscrutable smile. “I told you I liked it. A lot.”

Still joking.

Or was he?

The scientist in me wanted to get off this roller coaster and dissect the moment the world tilted on its axis because something new was happening here. I could practically feel the sizzle of electricity in the air.

“It’s a bad idea. You don’t even like me, Ezra.”

He almost looked hurt as he shook his head and inched away from me.

“That’s so far from true, it isn’t funny. My problem is that I like you too much.”

“Huh?”

He frowned. “You know what? Let’s pretend I didn’t just say that. In fact, let’s agree to collective amnesia about…all of this. Although, let’s be real, a kiss isn’t really a big deal. People make out all the time—girl with guy, girl with girl, guy with guy. Sometimes it’s real, sometimes it’s an itch or an experiment. I met a cute girl on day one of Coachella and…”

I tuned him out as confusion wrestled with a tsunami of desire. I’d spent months ignoring my inexplicable attraction to this man. We were hostile and often waspish foes who couldn’t find common ground to communicate.

But I didn’t want to hear about other people he’d kissed.

I wanted…

I wanted—

I roughly grabbed his neck and crashed my mouth over his.

It’s fun, it’s cute, it’s jock/nerd but a little older. That in between age when they are done with college, or almost done with college, working on master’s degrees or waiting to take the bar exam. Kind of waiting for life to start, straddling the line between total adult and college kid.

And with that goes roommates. Because who can afford a place on their own nowadays? We also add in a bi awakening. Or a bi acting on it? Ezra had a good inkling that he was bi but he never acted on it. And never told anyone. In fact, his reason for not telling his bff was to not steal his thunder. Which is cute.

Ezra does some stupid things to get Holden to notice him more. Walking around in his underwear. Eating Holden’s food. Leaving a mess in the kitchen. He might has well have pulled Holden’s pig tails.

So of course Holden hates Ezra. Except he doesn’t. Because he is hot af. And a nice guy. And pretty smart.

The conflict was a little odd. I really didn’t get that whole student/boss situation. Didn’t make a ton of sense, mostly how the student acted.

Another jock/nerd cute story where the nerd is actually super hot and the jock and actually smart and they love happily ever after.

It was a decent book. I guess I am just over this trope.

3.5 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. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020-2021 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.

Connect with Lane:
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Blog: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/Lanehayesauthor
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes

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Class Act by Gianni Holmes: Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt, New Release Review and Giveaway

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From USA Today Bestselling Author Gianni Holmes comes a new heartfelt, steamy, forbidden, teacher-student romance.

Abe Cooper is a triple threat.

He’s my best friend’s father.

He’s the football coach at my high school.

And he’s a married man

His marriage is on the rocks and he could lose his job for the way he looks at me.

I could lose my only friend in the world.

I know I should stay away instead of flirting with him.

But all the cons don’t outweigh how I feel when I’m with him.

When my home situation gets worse, Abe is there for me. But what we do under his roof when everyone’s asleep makes me feel guilty.

Now his daughter, my closest friend, knows he’s stepping outside his marriage and she’s hellbent to find out who I am.

How long can we keep us a secret and how dare we be happy together when it might hurt the ones we love?

Title: Class Act
Authors: Gianni Holmes
Length: 100K+
Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary.
Tropes: Teacher-student, age gap, best friend’s father, hurt comfort, size difference.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

Goodreads

Emery paused the television. “Abe.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed him to use my first name after all. The way the syllable whispered from his lips sent a shiver down my spine.

I swallowed hard but didn’t respond.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

“Talk about what?”

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard.”

I frowned. “Heard what?”

“You and your wife arguing. I’m sorry she said those awful things to you.”

My face burned, and I glanced away. “Stay out of it.”

“I’m just trying to—”

“It’s none of your business, Emery. Drop it.”

Emery lowered his legs to the floor and got to his feet, letting the remote fall from his hand to the couch. “I’m sorry. I’ll just go.” His voice was full of hurt, and my chest ached for me to do something about it. To make him smile again.

Let him go, Abe.

I jumped up and grabbed Emery’s wrist. He jerked to a stop, but he kept his head turned away from me. He tried to tug his hand out of my grip, but I held on.

“I’m leaving you alone like you wanted, Abe.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “When did I ever say that?”

Seconds ticked by in silence. I moved closer to him, placed a trembling hand on his angular hip, and turned him to face me. His chest rose and fell, like he was struggling against his emotions.

“Do you want me to stay or not?” he asked.

Dammit, why was he so damn pretty?

“Let me go, Abe.”

“Do you really want me to?” He nodded, so I dropped his hand.

Emery rubbed his wrist. “Do you care about what I want?”

My nostrils flared. “What do you want?”

“To hug you.”

Before I could move, Emery wrapped his arms around me and pressed his face to my chest.

Push him away.

I raised my arms, but as if they had a mind of their own, they embraced him, one settling at his lower back and the other at his hip. I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat. Why was he made to fit me so well if he could never be mine?

“Emery,” I said softly. “I don’t know if I’m thinking straight.”

“What do you mean?” he whispered back.

“You heard it yourself. My marriage is in shambles, and I can’t be sure if this thing is merely a reaction rather than something real.”

Emery grabbed the back of my head and pulled it down, then captured my lips with his. Stunned, I stood stock still. Emery’s mouth moved over mine, and desire unleashed in my belly. With a groan, I pressed him closer to me and gripped his hip more tightly.

I ventured out of my comfort zone to review this book. I don’t do cheating…I know a lot of people don’t like to read it. But having been through it, I know how much it absolutely sucks to be the one cheated on. But I was intrigued otherwise, so I gave it an open minded chance. (Make sure you read the afterword from the author…made me feel so much better about the fact that I don’t like to read it, since the author has been through a similar situation.)

I’m not sure if I could have picked it up if it wasn’t obvious from the blurb that Abe was having problems in his marriage. And he was having lots of problems. I couldn’t blame him for wanting a divorce (that did not make the cheating okay, of course). He struggled to hide his feelings about Emery from himself, but the fact that Emery needed as much help as he did made it impossible for Abe to turn away from him. (Side note: Emery’s father…I would have dearly loved to see him get more than he did, but he still got a little of what he deserved. The car…that po’ed me almost as much as the other stuff. What a POS!)

ANYWAY, what I loved about Emery was his self confidence in himself. Most men his age in high school would not go out for cheerleading, wearing a skirt, being out. He couldn’t really hide it, but nevertheless, he was a courageous man. In many ways, he learned that from his father, because to live under that roof and come out alive, he had to be courageous. He also wasn’t afraid to show his vulnerable side to Abe, even if he didn’t share everything he should have. His best friend, after the initial shock, ended up being very positive about their relationship. The ex-wife, not so much, but who could blame her…and she was kinder than most people would have been in that circumstance.

This really was a love story, and as gut wrenching as it was personally, it was very well written, and kept it at a slow simmer for a while before the heat exploded. That was necessary for this story to have worked. I will admit that I had to read this in spurts, because some of it was tough for me to read. But still well written, and a good story about what felt like a real life situation.

4 pieces of eye candy

Gianni Holmes is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary MM romance. She’s a former teacher of Spanish Language and Latin American literature who resides in the Caribbean. Gianni has a love for superheroes, a fear of horror movies, and an obsession with old TV sitcoms.

Connect with Gianni:
Website
https://www.gianniholmesauthor.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/gianniholmesbooks
Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/giannigems
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/gianniholmes
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17910852.Gianni_Holmes

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The Santa Problem by Barbara Elsborg: Release Day Review

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When Kendall is let down by the Santa and photographer he’s booked for his garden centre, he frantically tries to find replacements. But no one is available to step in at the last minute and he’s running out of time and options.

Then Alfie arrives, with his electric-blue hair, piercings, megawatt smile, and three cute reindeer. And, he just happens to be a photographer. Finally, Kendall sees a glimmer of hope. So what if he hates Christmas, kids, beards and missing Santas? Kendall can play Santa himself, if he just learns how to smile.

As Kendall thaws and gets into the role, Alfie has renewed hope that he’ll manage what he came all the way here to do. It all depends on Kendall believing him, and that suddenly becomes a mountain Kendall won’t even try to climb. But Alfie won’t give up. It’s not over yet. This is Christmas and there’s magic in the air!

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Christmas books? But it’s not even Halloween! I don’t care! Bring it on!

We start out with the quintessential Christmas grouch. He’s the manager of a garden center that does a big Christmas thing. Kendall is all about the bottom line. How much can the center make. He is fastidious and organized so when the Santa he booked nearly a year in advance cancels at the last minute, he isn’t quite sure what to do.

Then Alfie shows up. Claiming to be the photographer for Santa. And he brought reindeer. And sweet talks Kendall into being Santa. Which all of the employees can’t believe because he is super grouchy.

Obviously Alfie has ulterior motives, but they take a little bit to suss out. We don’t know right away where he came from or what he is doing. But he is trying to make Kendall happy. And the children who come to see Santa. And the employees of the garden center. All while taking care of his reindeer.

You can’t help but love Alfie. His happiness is infectious without being obnoxious. He genuinely loves Christmas and all that it entails. He doesn’t really understand why Kendall hates it and tries to be subtle about changing his mind.

Kendall can’t resist Alfie and the draw to him he feels. Even though Alfie has said numerous times that he will leave on Christmas Eve, they both finally succumb to the attraction.

Which isn’t part of the plan, but Alfie goes for it.

The story takes a delightful turn when we find out exactly what Alfie has been trying to achieve. Three meddling reindeer and an orphan add to the story and the magic.

It was almost like a switch was flipped with Kendall though. He thawed while playing Santa, but underneath he was still miserable. And then he wasn’t. He just had to believe.

This was different and lovely. I think I might have to reread it one night in a month or 2 when my tree is light and there are presents underneath.

4 pieces of eye candy

Like I Wished (Heather Bay Book 2) by Charlie Novak: Release Day Review

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Dreaming about my best friend’s brother is one thing, him actually falling for me is another.

Baking cupcakes for the science department bake-off shouldn’t strike fear into the heart of chemistry teacher Noah, but his previous record hasn’t exactly been glowing. In an attempt to stave off another year in last place, Noah turns to the one man who might be able to help him: his best friend’s older brother, Spencer.

Noah’s had a crush on the vibrant and sporty footballer turned baker for years, but the chances of anything happening between them are slim to none. Spencer is caring, funny, gorgeous… and totally straight.

Spencer has never thought about dating men before, but after watching Noah lick buttercream off a whisk he’s suddenly realising he’s not as straight as previously thought.

Revelations about his sexuality are one thing, but his footballing past being dragged into the present is another and Spencer isn’t sure which is more stressful. But he’s sure about one thing: he wants Noah in his life. Now all they have to do is figure out how to make their wishes come true.

Like I Wished is a hot and heart-warming best friend’s brother contemporary MM romance featuring adorable ghost cupcakes, a bisexual awakening over baking, gate-crashed first dates, gym-bro besties, and lots of hot chocolate.

It is book two in the Heather Bay series and while it can be read as a standalone, it’s best enjoyed as part of the series.

Lately I feel like I’ve read a lot of books that have had conflict. A lot of unnecessary conflict. Thinking it made for a better story? More interesting characters? I don’t know. But I was thinking to myself “why can’t two guys just, yanno, date and fall in love without all of the dramz???”

Well the universe spoke and gave me this story.

Being a fan of Charlie Novak, I had already read (and thoroughly enjoyed) book 1. There was conflict in that, but it absolutely made sense. Just so you don’t think I am anti conflict. I actually love drama and angst. But it has to make sense. But this story is 2 men who already know each other. And like each other. And consider each other friends. Their only obstacle, if you can call it that, is that one of the guy’s is best friend’s with the other guy’s brother.

Noah had been crushing on his best friend’s brother for YEARS. He thought he was sly about it, but apparently not. Spencer had defaulted to straight, but he started noticing Noah ever since he brought him home one night to take care of him because he was a bit on the drunk side.

When Spencer starts figuring it out, he is fairly straight forward with Noah. No beating around the bush. No being super scared or nervous. Just kind of all in. He had the confidence to say he was new at this but wanted it and wanted to do it right.

And Noah, that little cinnamon roll, had zero issues with speaking up with what he wanted. Who knew Noah was such a dirty boy?

All of the guys from book 1 appear. We see Laurie and Theo in their natural habitat (their apartment) and I am soooooo intrigued with those two. I hope we get their story.

But I digress. Even though both guys were a little nervous telling their friends (especially the brother/best friend) it was fine. Not manufactured fights. Just the snark we expected from him.

So yes, a story where two guys start dating, develop feelings, freely admit those feelings and go on to have a seemingly healthy relationship with each other. YAY!

4 pieces of eye candy

His Reluctant Cowboy: A Gay Cowboy Romance (Woods Ranch Book 2) by A.M. Arthur: Release Day Review * 2

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He thought his cowboy days were behind him. But life—and love—had other plans.

Michael Pearce left the small-town life of Weston and cattle ranching for the hustle of Austin, and never looked back—until his father suffers a stroke and requires in-home care.

Josiah Sheridan became a certified nursing assistant after seeing how wonderful his single mother’s in-home aides were before she died. He wants to help people, and he does his best with the work he can find in small-town Weston, Texas. He also lives a complicated life with his lover—to the rest of the world, they’re just roommates. Behind closed doors, their life is…strained.

Meeting Michael, a kind and openly gay—not to mention much older—man, gives Josiah a glimpse into a brighter, happier world. He loves Michael’s self-confidence and plethora of life stories. But it will take patience, planning, and more courage than Josiah thinks he has to finally break free from his old life and find real love with Michael.

Amazon

Carina Press

Book 1: His Fresh Start Cowboy
Book 3: His Accidental Cowboy (Coming 6/23)

It’s been a minute since I got to read some of AM Arthur’s cowboys. I missed them.

This is book 2, but you don’t have to read book 1. In fact, I kind of like that they are basically 2 new characters. We met Josiah briefly in book 1, but he wasn’t one of the guys working at Woods Ranch. And Michael is back in town to help his estranged father after he had a stroke. His estranged father we also met in book 1. Elmer, the metal sculpture artist who rented out his trailer.

Both of these guys are broken. Michael’s brand new ex husband weasled him out of a lot of money, his business and his patent. Josiah is in a relationship that is a secret, but they live together and he is being abused.

This led to a nice, slow burn between them. The attraction is immediate and obvious, but they are both wary. Partly because Josiah is Michael’s dad’s home nurse. But partly because of what they each just got out of.

Josiah just broke my heart. He is one of those people that just keeps having crappy things happen to. To be honest, a few too many tragic things. He seemed to have a permanent black cloud. What I assumed about what had happened to him wasn’t even close.

The Big Fight that strained the relationship between Elmer and Michael was also a bit…anticlimatic. Not that the trauma that caused the fight wasn’t exactly that- trauma. But these two men should have mended fences long ago. I think because we also met Elmer previously, we know he is a good guy. So Michael being mad at him for something 20 years ago just didn’t seem right.

I did appreciate how gentle Michael was with Josiah, even before he knew everything that has happened to him. But I wished he would have stopped Josiah from doing things around the house. That isn’t part of being a home nurse. But he cooked and cleaned everyday. Breakfast and lunch for Elmer? ok. But having dinner in the crockpot for Elmer and Michael just seemed a little much.

You could see the coming conflict toward the end from a mile away. I could have made a list that would have been checked off.

I don’t not like the story. I did. But I think Elmer deserved more grace from Michael. Michael should have been WAY more angry at his ex and everyone should have noticed what was going on with Josiah. They went from the slowest of slow burns to moving in together.

And not for nothin, but the Woods family is a little too good. Silly, but still.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

I haven’t gotten to read this author’s cowboy books before, but figured I would jump in here. This is book 2, but it stands alone.

Michael is recently divorced and had everything taken from him from his awful ex. Meanwhile, Josiah, I don’t want to say much, but it isn’t a good situation, it made my heart hurt for him.

This was a slow burn, which was good for the situations these two were coming out of. However, it just didn’t work well for me. Too many things just didn’t sit well for me. I felt like there were pieces that didn’t quite make sense for me, or were too blatantly wrong for what I expected. And the ending was a bit too predictable.

It was an okay story, and I’d like to read another cowboy book from this author, because I love the narration and descriptions, and few authors can make me cry more than once in a book, and she does most of the time. This just wasn’t the right story for me, I think.