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review

Charisma Check (Roll for Love Book 2) by Charlie Novak: New Release Review

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Hatred is complicated, clothing is simple—Edward doesn’t need a man, and he certainly doesn’t need cosplayer and tattoo artist, Izzy Montes, AKA The Masked Gentleman, Edward’s ultimate nemesis.

Edward and Izzy have been antagonising each other for over three years. Their rivalry is fierce, and Edward is determined to keep Izzy at arm’s length. Which would be all well and good… if they weren’t engaging in a secret, heated hook-ups.

Forced to appear together at a film premier in LA, Edward is determined to get in and out with minimal damage to his reputation… and his heart. But Izzy Montes proves to be a complication Edward couldn’t have predicted. Biting, funny, and charming in equal measure, he’s the one man Edward needs to loathe.

He’s also the one man Edward can’t get out of his mind.

Not that Izzy plans on letting him.

Charisma Check is a 80,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring comic conventions, snark, many costume changes, and only one bed. It is book two in the Roll for Love series and should be read as part of the series.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

SO FUN!

Ok, Charlie Novak is a new-er to me author. I had read one of hers fairly recently and then when this because available I read book 1 first (must read!) and then immediately went to this book.

We met Edward in book one as the best friend of Jay. A professional cosplayer who has the natural ethereal look that makes him so successful. You can tell what a nice guy Edward is, but at one comic con, another cosplayer rubbed him the wrong way and declared themselves mortal enemies. Except they keep finding themselves naked in bathrooms together…

Izzy started cosplaying with his little brother. He was a total amateur when he met Edward the first time, but with practice makes perfect and he just continues to get better. One of the biggest differences is that Izzy has a full time job and cosplaying is just a hobby for him.

So enemies who meet periodically at various comic cons, who end up having quick and dirty hate sex and avoid each other like the plague. Until they are both hired to cosplay a movie premiere. In Los Angeles.

A comedy of errors- or karma- have them sitting together on an 11 hour transatlantic flight AND sharing a hotel room. And being that they are cosplaying a COUPLE, they are posing together and kissing for cameras. All while hating each other. Honestly, it was hilarious.

Because much of their story exists only at comic cons, the time frame spans a few years. Until Izzy’s full time job lands him in the same town Edward lives in. And then Edward’s best friend Jay gets involved. And there are invitations to game nights at the book store. And then not necessarily hate sex, but more friends with benefits sex. But they’re not really friends, right?? HA!

This is one of my favorite enemies to lovers I have read. Mostly because they seemed to pretend to hate each other right from the beginning. But everyone- from Edward’s PA to their friends and people that they meet at the movie premiere- all see right through it.

Hate sex, not hate sex, sex with kinky toys, and pretty panties. This book was hot, funny, sweet and yummy.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Love Me Tenor (Perfect Harmony Book 2) by Annabeth Albert: New (Re-)Release Review

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Their fake relationship may trick the viewers—and also themselves…

Trevor Daniels is out of chances. The recent college graduate doesn’t know what to do with his life, and going back home to his family is no longer an option. The one thing he can do though is sing. A chance to be on a reality show designed to find the next superstar boy band group may be exactly what he needs to turn his life around.

But the show wants him to fake a relationship. With another guy. A really, really hot guy who is none too happy to be paired with Trevor. And now they have to room together too?

Jalen Smith doesn’t want to be stuck with the uptight tenor, but he might have no choice. He too wants a shot at stardom, and if he has to fake attraction, then so be it. Except as the show goes on, less and less faking is needed, and more and more lust is springing up off camera.

But Trevor’s hiding a dangerous secret, one that could ruin more than their chances at winning the show. Can the truth give them the opportunity of a lifetime?

Love Me Tenor was previously published. This version has received a light editing update, but otherwise it’s the same fan-favorite story. Contains two reluctant allies faking a relationship, fake boyfriend hijinks, bunkbed escapades, first time feel, plenty of steam, and a guaranteed happy ending.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

The second book in a series of 3 that were rereleased by the author.

Another singing competition, this time trying to create a boy band. We met Trevor in the last book as the best friend of Lucas. Since then, Trevor has come out of the closet and been disowned by his family. With no where- literally- to go, he reluctantly agrees to be part of a group competing to be the next big boy band.

Like the previous, perhaps a little dated in the concept of singing competitions and boy bands. But it was still kind of fun. Fake boyfriends, real boyfriends who are eerily alike, religious zealot parents all while being recorded almost 24/7.

We definitely get to see another side of Trevor, mostly because he assume Jalen is straight. I did like that those stereotypes were challenged. Just because Jalen looks like this, doesn’t mean he is straight. Jalen did cause a bit of unnecessary angst by not just coming clean, but that’s a bit understandable too.

The story was definitely more in the house and their everyday life rather than the competition, but we still follow that as well. Although there are only 3 groups competing and, again, a bit stereotyped. But with the addition of social media and how important it is for competitions like this, it was fun.

Cute read, especially if you are a fan of singing competitions.

3.5 pieces of eye candy

Running Lines by Jeris Jean: RB, Excerpt and Release Day Review

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Onscreen chemistry. Offscreen action.

Finn may look like a Romeo + Juliet-era Leo, but he’s out to prove he’s got what it takes to break the teen heartthrob mold. Grayson is a serious actor, with “serious” as the operative word, so he’s not thrilled to find himself hopelessly attracted to his young new co-star.

Starring on a teen soap may have made Finn Everett Hollywood’s latest “it” boy, complete with the 10 million Instagram followers to show for it, but does he have the chops to cut it as the newest cast member on television’s biggest drama, Frost Manor? Finn’s determined to prove himself as more than just as sex symbol and win the respect of his co-star, Grayson Winter.

Grayson is gorgeous, talented, and the celeb Finn has been secretly crushing on for years. Grayson is dedicated to his job. He has big aspirations to be Hollywood’s best leading man, and he’s willing to make personal sacrifices to get there. When his new scene partner is the charismatic and intensely distracting Finn Everett, Grayson is shaken loose from his single-minded ambition.

When Finn and Grayson start running lines, their off-the-charts chemistry has them wondering if big things are in store for more than just their careers.

Running Lines is an MM Romance featuring hot TV stars, Hollywood drama, and a sweet and sexy gay love story.

Book Title: Running Lines

Author and Publisher: Jeris Jean

Cover Artist: Jeris Jean

Release Date: January 26, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Tropes: Celebrities, Workplace Romance

Themes: Overcoming the past, self-confidence, defying expectations

Heat Rating:  4 flames

Length: 55,000 words/ 142 pages (ebook)

It is a standalone story and is the first book in a series.

Add on Goodreads

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Not a single interviewer had failed to mention Finn Everett, and it was getting really damn old. He didn’t want to talk about Finn Everett. He didn’t even want to think about Finn Everett. That just led to Grayson thinking about sexy blue eyes and lean muscles and no. No. Nothing good would come of that line of thought. It was going to be hard enough to work with him everyday on the show and maintain his standards of professionalism.

As Grayson clung to his last shred of patience for this interview, he answered the question the same way he had all night. “I trust our showrunners and casting director. But I haven’t personally met Finn Everett yet, so I don’t have an opinion of my own.” The words sounded colder, more robotic than he’d intended.

As if on cue, his agent Kayla’s familiar voice broke into the conversation, interrupting the interview. “We can fix that, Grayson! You can meet right now.” She was tugging someone by the hand and then shoving him into the interview right next to Grayson. The interviewer was clapping her hands in thrilled excitement, her smile widening to an even more frightening degree. Before he knew what was happening, he was shaking hands with Finn Everett, looking right into those dark blue eyes. There were only two words Grayson’s brain could manage at that moment: Holy. Fuck. Finn Everett was gorgeous.

Gaining his composure was difficult, but Grayson was a professional actor, so he knew how to pull himself together before anyone noticed how dumbstruck he was at the sight of Finn Everett. He hoped. The interviewer was now asking Finn how it felt to meet Grayson. Finn was staring at Grayson with the oddest expression – it was almost like…admiration? Grayson felt himself hold his breath, waiting to hear Finn’s answer.

Finn turned back to the interviewer, and he said smoothly, “It is an absolute pleasure. I can’t wait to work with him. I’m sure there’s a lot he can teach me.” Finn smiled shyly, his eyes dipping to the carpet and then back up to glance cautiously at Grayson through his lashes. Grayson met his eyes briefly, and he felt a tingle in his belly. His lips automatically quirked up at the corners without his permission. What was happening? Why was he acting like a total fool all of a sudden? It had to be that this red carpet media circus had finally wore him down completely.  He was exhausted and too warm. That would make anyone’s head spin. That was totally it.

Thankfully, Kayla came to his rescue, grabbing both him and Finn by the hands and dragging them away from the interviewer, barking something about needing to get inside to take their seats. Grayson’s head was dizzy as he finally stepped into the cool air conditioning of the theatre.

“Look at this, my two favorite clients making friends,” Kayla said, smiling at Grayson and then Finn. “I had a hunch you’d hit it off,” she added as she let go of Grayson’s hand and dragged Finn further into the building.

Grayson was left in the entryway of the theatre, finally alone for the moment. He leaned against the marble wall behind him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to steady himself.

He was in trouble.

New author with her very first book. I hate to say it, but it is completely obvious that it is her first book. The story was there, but it was just a little bit of a mess. At times it read like a fleshed out outline, not a full story.

Finn, teenage heartthrob has landed a part on a very popular period show. And the lead is a guy he has crushed on. Finn has one day to learn his lines for the next day’s shoot, and Grayson shows up to help him.

They have a great time. Running lines, feeding off of each other’s energy, etc. Grayson invites him over for Thai food. I am expecting some flirting, longing glances, accidental touches…nope. He gets invited in one chapter and the next chapter Finn is reminiscing about the night before. That was never on page.

The whole book was like this. There was no connection at all with the characters. We knew more about the PA Ethan than these two. The entire season worth of filming this show was over in a matter of a few chapters. There was just no substance. It was all superficial.

Once they are “found out” (even though they really weren’t hiding), the producers tell them to act like they hate each other in public. Do we ever see that? Nope.

And even with that, the story dragged on well past it’s natural ending point.

Superficial, no chemistry, no substance. Needs a brutal beta reader (or 2) and a serious edit.

2.5 pieces of eye candy

Jeris Jean is a life-long Minnesotan with an obsessive love of books. She has a master’s degree in English Literature but didn’t write her first novel until she was in her mid-thirties. Something just “clicked,” and all fell into its rightful place.

Jeris is a lover of cats, coffee, binge-watching tv shows, her bffs, puzzles, knitting, white sunglasses, black nail polish, purple hair, and reading and writing like it’s going out of style, especially mm romance.

She lives with her husband, two sons and their cat, Fluffy Cat Love, in a lovely little suburb of Minneapolis.

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Charisma Check by Charlie Novak: RB, Excerpt and Giveaway

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Hatred is complicated, clothing is simple—Edward doesn’t need a man, and he certainly doesn’t need cosplayer and tattoo artist, Izzy Montes, AKA The Masked Gentleman, Edward’s ultimate nemesis.

Edward and Izzy have been antagonising each other for over three years. Their rivalry is fierce, and Edward is determined to keep Izzy at arm’s length. Which would be all well and good… if they weren’t engaging in a secret, heated hook-ups.

Forced to appear together at a film premier in LA, Edward is determined to get in and out with minimal damage to his reputation… and his heart. But Izzy Montes proves to be a complication Edward couldn’t have predicted. Biting, funny, and charming in equal measure, he’s the one man Edward needs to loathe.

He’s also the one man Edward can’t get out of his mind.

Not that Izzy plans on letting him.

Charisma Check is a 80,000-word contemporary MM romance featuring comic conventions, snark, many costume changes, and only one bed. It is book two in the Roll for Love series and should be read as part of the series.

Charisma Check by Charlie Novak

Roll for Love, Book Two

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads

Izzy

“What the fuck are you watching?” Edward asked. He’d removed his boots and shirt, leaving him in just a pair of dark, tight-fitting jeans. Desire pulsed through me at the sight of him. His chest was lean and pale, almost vampiric, with sharp hipbones that disappeared into his waistband. It was funny; Edward wasn’t really my type, but maybe it was the fact I was horny and there was just something about hate sex that made it better than anything else. That probably said something about me, but I wasn’t interested in working out what it was.

“Porn.”

“No shit, Sherlock.” He rolled his eyes and tossed his hair over his shoulder. It shimmered under the lights in an almost mesmerising way. He reached for the button of his jeans, pushing them over his thighs along with whatever underwear he’d been wearing. “What sort of porn?”

“Gay.” My lips twitched. It was so fun winding him up. Edward grimaced like he was suddenly regretting all his life choices, and my smile widened. This was the most fun I’d had in weeks. “It’s a DP with a dildo and a creampie.”

“Hmm.” He hummed and sauntered over to the bed, his cock already hard. “Do you like playing with toys? Or did you think putting something like a DP on would make me want to run away?” He climbed onto the bed and crawled up it, settling on top of my thighs and looking down at me with a dark smile on his lips. “If you thought that, darling, then you’re going to be disappointed.” He lowered his mouth to the side of my head, nipping my ear and sending a shiver running through me. His voice dropped to a low whisper. “Very disappointed.”

Charlie lives in England with her husband and a dachshund named Biscuit. She spends most of her days wrangling other people’s words in her day job and then trying to force her own onto the page in the evening.

She loves cute stories with a healthy dollop of fluff, plenty of delicious sex, and happily ever afters — because the world needs more of them. Charlie also believes that loves comes in all shapes and sizes.

Charlie has very little spare time, but what she does have she fills with cooking, pole-dancing, reading and ice-hockey. She also thinks that everyone should have at least one favourite dinosaur…

Connect with Charlie:

Website: https://charlienovak.com/
Newsletter https://charlienovak.com/newsletter-sign-up/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/charlienovakauthor/
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/charlie-novak
Twitter https://twitter.com/charlienwrites
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/charlienwrites/
Facebook Group, Charlie’s Angels https://www.facebook.com/groups/charlienovaksangels/

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Treble Maker (Perfect Harmony Book 1) by Annabeth Albert: Re-Release Review

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He’s all about that bass…

Cody Rivers wants to be a music star. And this a cappella singing competition could be his best, last chance to make it happen. However, his punk style and rocker attitude don’t exactly fit in with the world of clean-cut, wholesome a cappella groups or reality music TV shows. Even worse, a bumbling bass singer from a rival group might be his undoing.

Lucas Norwood isn’t cut out to be a star. He’s content being in the background of his college a cappella group, trying not to trip over his feet while attempting to fit in with his more conservative friend group. He’s also determined not to let Cody’s barbs—or his smoking hot good looks—get to him.

When the show forces them to work together, their chemistry is undeniable, both on and off the stage. But giving into their attraction may have real consequences, especially with elimination looming. Will making their dreams come true mean losing each other?

Treble Maker was previously published. This version has received a light editing update, but otherwise it’s the same fan-favorite story. Contains two rival musicians who couldn’t be more opposite, first time feel, plenty of steam, and a guaranteed happy ending.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited

Treble Maker was Annabeth Albert’s first published book. It has been rereleased with very small changes. I might have read it already, but because of my fabulous memory and the amount of books I read, I don’t remember it. That isn’t a bad thing.

As such, I am going to review this as if it was her first book. Because I liked it, but I didn’t love it. And I found some parts problematic, which I probably wouldn’t have even noticed the first time around. The more you know and all that.

The scene is a reality show a cappella competition. Pitch Perfect on tv. Cody just wants to make it as a singer. If he has to gather together an a cappella group to do it, so be it. He isn’t great at sharing the spotlight though.

Lucas is the opposite. Quiet guy, part of a collegiate group. Said college is very conservative and religious and his father is a professor there who has a small amount of fame from books he has written. Lucas is gay. Even out. But he has chosen abstinence, as they are taught that being gay isn’t a sin. It’s that “gay lifestyle” that is.

This is my problematic part. Cody really pushes Lucas. Pushes him into something he said he didn’t want. Or wanted, but wouldn’t act on. BUT being that when this was first published, the idea of explicit consent wasn’t really at the forefront.

So the story is split between the competition and rehearsing for it, and Cody pushing Lucas’ boundaries.

It was a fun story overall and once Lucas was all in with the sexy times- whew! It was hot. Lucas had a little kink that Cody had no problem working with and playing to which lead to some incredibly steamy scenes.

I also enjoyed Lucas taking a stand for himself with his parents toward the end of the book. I always root for someone standing up for themselves.

If you want to know how Annabeth Albert started off, or if you just enjoy a fun story, give it a go.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy

Right Move: A Gay Cowboy Romance (Clean Slate Ranch Book 6) by A.M. Arthur: New Release Review

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Opposites attract in this sexy, slow-burn romance, the next installment in A.M. Arthur’s fan-favorite Clean Slate Ranch series.

Levi Peletier is settled—for now. With his life on the rodeo circuit reined in, he’s content doing trick riding demos for tourists at Clean Slate Ranch and spending his off-hours with three finicky felines. It’s a life he’s grateful for, one that keeps his heart safe.

George Thompson couldn’t be less like the ruggedly sexy Levi. A onetime figure skating star, he’s hung up his skates to live in introverted anonymity in San Francisco. An effort to shake up his regular routine finds him at Thanksgiving dinner, dude ranch style, and he immediately falls in love with the gorgeous view—the wide-open spaces and big blue sky aren’t bad, either.

The country cowboy and the stay-put city boy strike up an unlikely friendship that blossoms into something more. But getting attached is a bad idea. Because the open road is calling to Levi, and it’s a call George can’t imagine answering. When the past catches up to them, this odd couple will have to decide if a future together is worth fighting for.

Amazon

Carina Press

The Clean Slate Ranch series is branching out. This time we get to know more about the twins in the upstairs apartment that we met in the previous book. And Levi, the trick rider we also met previously. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone.

George and Orry are twins who are very quiet and keep to themselves. But, by association, get involved with the Clean Slate Ranch “family”. A big Thanksgiving dinner and an injured cat bring George and Levi together. Even though George is a complete introvert and is bordering on agoraphobia and Levi is outgoing and loves the outdoors.

Levi slowly romances George without even meaning to, I don’t think. But the calls and lunches are definitely romantic. Levi is hesitant because of the age difference and because George is so shy. But with Levi, he slowly comes out of his shell.

I really like how Levi was portrayed. He has done a lot of soul searching the past 4 years after a tragedy and you can tell by the way he speaks how mindful he is. “I hear you and I respect that”. Very new age-y, hippyish, but it totally works for him.

Even though we got to know George, I don’t feel like his story was fully told.

Ugh, sometimes when you are “friends” with an author, reviews can be difficult. There is nothing wrong with this book at all. It is written well, there is a good romance, hot sex, care and respect given to past traumas and current virginities. There are even cute cats. And even though I liked the book and will recommend it- especially for followers of the author and/or series, it might be time to put the Clean Slate Ranch out to pasture.

3.5 Pieces of Eye Candy