Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

Roan Parrish

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.

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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

The Holiday Trap: An LGBT romcom by Roan Parrish: New Release Review

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FROM A COZY NEW ENGLAND HAVEN TO THE HEART OF NEW ORLEANS COMES ONE HOLIDAY THAT’LL CHANGE THEIR LIVES

Greta Russakoff loves her tight-knit family and tiny Maine hometown, but they can’t seem to understand what it’s like to be a lesbian living in such a small world. When an act of familial meddling goes way too far, she realizes just how desperately she needs space to figure out who she is.

Truman Belvedere’s heart is crushed when he learns that his boyfriend has a secret life including a husband and daughter. Reeling, all he wants is a place to lick his wounds far, far away from Louisiana.

Enter a mutual friend with a life-altering idea: swap homes for the holidays. For one perfect month, Greta and Truman will have a chance to experience a whole new world…and maybe fall in love with the partner of their dreams. But all holidays must come to an end, and eventually these two transplants will have to decide whether the love (and found family) they each discovered so far from home is worth fighting for.

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Ripped Bodice

I was seriously looking forward to this book, from the first time I saw it coming out. A great premise, two people switching places, so that they can get away from the strain of their current lives. And there was so much to unpack in this book! *Side note: I do have to say that I would not call this an LGBT romcom. It didn’t strike me as a romcom at all.* It is a long book, nearly 500 pages, but when you essentially have two romance novels in one book, it’s going to be a long one, and very little of the book was “filler”.

Greta, whose family is…a challenge. I honestly could not figure out how she dealt with all the family dysfunction she did for so long. Her mother was controlling, even though she pretended not to be, her oldest sister was for all intents and purposes a b*tch, and her father could not be bothered to support his child. So, Greta looked to get away, see a bit of the world, enjoy some time in the complete opposite of small town Maine, New Orleans. While she was there, she not only fell in love with Carys, but also with the city, the people, the friends she made, even the plant life. And she learned that people with mature relationships don’t treat their friends and family as if their thoughts and cares don’t matter. The visuals of New Orleans were so good. I just loved that!

Truman, who had another bad relationship, had to leave town to avoid being hurt further by his cheating boyfriend (small spoiler: cheating boyfriend gets his in the end 🙂 ). He swaps with Greta, heading to Owl Island, Maine, and falls in love with the small town feel, where everyone knows everyone else, where people help each other, whether it’s glass jars or helping to care for family members. And of course he falls in love with Ash, who, to be honest, was struggling. Having dealt with the exact thing Ash was going through, it is a drain, it pulls everything you have to give, until you feel stretched so thin, you’re not sure how you don’t break. That was the place where Ash was, and Truman was there to hold his hand, and help give him a little peace. It warmed my heart so much. When you are in that place, the smallest gesture means more than people know, and Truman did all he could to help Ash stand up and find his life again.

This book had so much heart, so much love, and such a level of caring, not just between the four MC’s, but even the side characters. Muriel, Greta’s plant loving friend, Ronnie and Helen, Carys’s housemates, who Greta quickly found a bond with, outside of Carys. Truman meeting the restaurant owners that Ash would be working with on their new project (now THAT was funny stuff). Ramona who was the one that put the swap into place for them. And both Truman and Greta learning how to be mature adults, engage in relationships that are not toxic.

This book had real emotions, and connection between all the characters, main and side, and it was hard sometimes for me to remember I was reading a book, and not living some of that life myself. It broke my heart a bit in many places (hence, the not a romcom), but definitely put it back together again.

I definitely recommend this one. It’s a great holiday read.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

More info is at my website: roanparrish.com

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The Lights on Knockbridge Lane by Roan Parrish: Release Day Review

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Can one man’s crowded, messy life fill another man’s empty heart?

Raising a family was always Adam Mills’ dream, although solo parenting and moving back to tiny Garnet Run certainly were not. After a messy breakup, Adam is doing his best to give his young daughter the life she deserves—including accepting help from their new, reclusive neighbor to fulfill her Christmas wish.

Though the little house may not have “the most lights ever,” the Mills home begins to brighten as handsome Wes Mobray spends more time there and slowly sheds his protective layers. But when the eye-catching house ends up in the news, Wes has to make a choice: hide from the darkness of his unusual past or embrace the light of a future—and a family—with Adam.

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

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**Side note: This is the first book that is m/m in a traditional Harlequin book, and definitely fell right into that category.**

All the good things about Christmas books, at a time of year when we might need them most, with all the hardships in the world right now. This is one of the books that I would have read as a teenager under the covers in my bedroom with the flashlight after I was told to go to bed. Yes, I was that kid, and not much has changed. 🙂 And this book…this book gives you all the feels of reading those books, which is why I am so excited that Harlequin is adding this into their category romance line, and what a great book to start with.

Now, let’s start with one of the main characters, who was NOT one of the men falling in love, Gus, Adam’s daughter. Gus was amazing, I loved that kid. Her Christmas wish was so simple, and yet led to such complex feelings. Her one wish, that Adam wanted so badly to make come true, brought people together, near and far to try to make a reality.

On to the MC’s. Adam had his heart broken, and decided to return home to work through it and start again. He literally was starting back with nothing, a job in a hardware store (yes, a few characters from previous Garnet Run books make their appearances, and help Adam out immensely). All he wanted was to make life for his daughter good again, after her heart was broken multiple times by Adam’s ex. Adam was hurting, but did all he could to make things right for his child. Meanwhile, he had to learn to believe in himself again.

Meanwhile, Wes, the guy on Knockbridge Lane who was severely misunderstood, couldn’t ignore a young girl, curious about science, who would not take no for an answer. He fell in love with Gus, just as much as he fell in love with Adam. However, he had to learn how to stand up for himself again, in order to love the people he wanted most in his life. My heart broke when he couldn’t do that at first. He was a man who wanted to change the world, but didn’t know how to change his own world.

Another character we met in previous books makes a reappearance, Adam’s sibling, River. River was awesome as a sibling to Adam, while Adam took the time to learn more about River, something he had missed previously. It warmed my heart that River worked to bring Adam and Gus back to Garnet Run, because they needed a place to be, and River needed to see people they loved.

Just a heartwarming story all around. I couldn’t have asked for more from it.

5 pieces of eye candy

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

More info is at my website: roanparrish.com
Sign up for my newsletter for announcements, sneak peeks, and exclusive content: http://bit.ly/2xHGvBj

Come hang out with me on social media!

Join my Facebook group: http://bit.ly/2hFOfBk
Find me on Twitter: http://bit.ly/1QmUcfp
Find me on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1S4vb8G
Find me on Instagram: http://bit.ly/1P5AnIH
Find me on Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1PFadse
Find me on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2hGzBtL
Find me on Books+Main Bites: http://bit.ly/2A43jQj3


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Better Than People by Roan Parrish: Release Day Review * 2

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It’s not long before their pet-centric arrangement sparks a person-centric desire…

Simon Burke has always preferred animals to people. When the countdown to adopting his own dog is unexpectedly put on hold, Simon turns to the PetShare app to find the fluffy TLC he’s been missing. Meeting a grumpy children’s book illustrator who needs a dog walker isn’t easy for the man whose persistent anxiety has colored his whole life, but Jack Matheson’s menagerie is just what Simon needs.

Four dogs, three cats and counting. Jack’s pack of rescue pets is the only company he needs. But when a bad fall leaves him with a broken leg, Jack is forced to admit he needs help. That the help comes in the form of the most beautiful man he’s ever seen is a complicated, glorious surprise.

Being with Jack—talking, walking, making out—is a game changer for Simon. And Simon’s company certainly…eases the pain of recovery for Jack. But making a real relationship work once Jack’s cast comes off will mean compromise, understanding and lots of love.

Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.

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It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Roan Parrish. The Remaking of Corbin Wale is on my favorites list. So I was really excited for this release. It definitely had the same sort of vibe as Corbin Wale (as opposed to her Riven series or her Small Change series) and it was really good.

Jack is a loner, a children’s book illustrator who lost his art after his partner and collaborator stole an idea from him. For nearly a year he has been home, unable to draw, with only his pack of dogs and cats as company. And his well meaning brother who checks on him. Until he breaks his leg and can’t walk his dogs- the highlight of his day. So he goes online and finds someone willing to walk his pack twice a day. No easy feat as some of the animals are neurotic with their own little quirks.

Simon adores animals, but living with his grandmother who is highly allergic means he can’t have his own. So he is eager to help out this stranger and his dogs. Not so eager to have to talk to him though because of debilitating social anxiety.

After a few missteps, Jack and Simon find their groove. Simon loves the dogs, the dogs love him. But Jack is totally miserable and lonely and intrigued by Simon.

Their slow dance to come together is one of my favorite things about how Roan Parrish writes. It is so lyrical they way they develop a language together that doesn’t necessarily use words. Looks and touches and movements. It’s a ballet.

The dogs themselves- the pack- are their own individual characters. They add to the story instead of just being there. With them as a buffer, Simon slowly comes to trust Jack. Without them, I don’t know that Simon would have ever come out of his shell.

Simon’s grandmother is hilarious and adorable. Jack’s brother is broody and sweet and I definitely want more of his story.

There is an awesome easter egg that made me smile.

This book is up there with Corbin Wale in my favorites.

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Okay, I will start with, I am the opposite of Erin in this. I haven’t read anything yet by Roan Parrish. I’ve been meaning to, and as I researched this review, I found that last Christmas Day, I purchased The Remaking of Corbin Wale. (As a side note, I am fairly certain I have a couple other books by this author on my purchased but yet to read list.) I did notice as I was reading Better Than People, the reference to Corbin Wale, and knew that it must have referred back to that…so on that note, I will be for sure reading it this holiday season! I’m also very sorry that it’s taken me this long to get on board!

The characters in this book were so distinctive. Even now, several days later, there are so many distinguishing characteristics in all the characters, both MC and side characters that stick out to me. Simon with his extreme shyness, Jack with his grumpiness, Puddles the dog who’s afraid of almost everything, Pirate the Cat who is the leader of a pack of dogs and cats, Grandma who is kooky, and caring, and grieving. This band of…well Pirates lol, really stuck with me.

The two MC’s took some time to find their way. Getting past Simon’s extreme shyness took perseverance by Jack, even when he didn’t know why Simon just grabbed the dog leashes and ran out the door. He didn’t judge Simon, just waited. Meanwhile, Simon berated himself for what has always been an issue for him. Jack was patience, didn’t make any assumptions, and found a way to get through to Simon.

As an aside…this author can write some seriously HAWT scenes…just saying…

I really enjoyed the journey this book took me on. Simon didn’t have to “fix” himself for Jack. Jack had to learn what he could live with, and what was important to him, his pack, which grew to include Simon, as well as even his own brother. (I’d sure like to see a story with Jack’s brother…if anyone is asking…there is definitely some backstory there.)

I am going to have to do some backlist reading now, so you’ll excuse me. 🙂

4 pieces of eye candy

Rend: A Novel (Riven Series book 2) by Roan Parrish: New Release Review

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After a whirlwind romance, a man with a painful past learns to trust the musician who makes him believe in happy endings.

Matt Argento knows what it feels like to be alone. After a childhood of abandonment, he never imagined someone might love him—much less someone like Rhys Nyland, who has the voice of an angel, the looks of a god, and the worship of his fans.

Matt and Rhys come from different worlds, but when they meet, their chemistry is incendiary. Their romance is unexpected, intense, and forever—at least, that’s what their vows promise. Suddenly, Matt finds himself living a life he never thought possible: safe and secure in the arms of a man who feels like home. But when Rhys leaves to go on tour for his new album, Matt finds himself haunted by the ghosts of his past.

When Rhys returns, he finds Matt twisted by doubt. But Rhys loves Matt fiercely, and he’ll go to hell and back to triumph over Matt’s fears. After secrets are revealed and desires are confessed, Rhys and Matt must learn to trust each other if they’re going to make it. That means they have to fall in love all over again—and this time, it really will be forever.

Amazon

Wow, this book was different. Riven was book 1 and I loved it. So when I found out that Matt and Rhys would be the subject of book 2, I was a bit confused. Because weren’t they already together?

Because this book went back to the beginning of Matt and Rhys- before Theo and Caleb even met in Riven.

Matt and Rhys have a whirlwind romance that ends in marriage fairly quickly. What we normally get in an entire book we get in 1 chapter. Because the rest of the book deals with Matt and Rhys adjusting to married life and what it means to each of them.

Rhys has to go out on a 2 month tour to promote his new album. But Matt has literally never lived alone. He went from his mother and aunt, to his aunt, to the foster system, to various roommates who shared the rent. And now he is totally alone. That will mess with a guy.

Matt broke my heart. This guy needed love so badly. But when he truly got it, he thought it would disappear. Watching him spiral down and not asking for help or telling anyone how bad he was.

And while Rhys was unaware, I think he also had his head in the sand a bit. He didn’t want to think anything could be wrong, because he didn’t want to lose what he had.

I really enjoyed this different take on a love story. Instead of ending with a marriage, this book starts with it. Because isn’t that where life really changes?

As always, Ms. Parrish write beautiful prose. I could feel Matt’s despair. To me, Rhys wasn’t as fleshed out as a character, but I think that the author just writes broken men better.

If you are looking for something different, but really well written, pick up Rend. I highly recommend Riven as well.

4 Pieces of Candy

Invitation to the Blues by Roan Parrish: RDB, Excerpt, Review and Giveaway

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Eight months ago Jude Lucen fled his partner, his career, and a hospital in Boston after a suicide attempt. Now back in Philadelphia, he feels like a complete failure. Piano has always been his passion and his only escape. Without it, he has nothing. Well, nothing except a pathetic crush on the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen.

Faron Locklear came to Philly looking for a fresh start and has thrown himself into tattooing at Small Change. He’s only met Jude a few times, but something about the red-haired man with the haunted eyes calls to him. Faron is blown away by Jude’s talent. What he isn’t expecting is the electricity he feels the first time they kiss—and the way Jude’s needs in bed speak directly to his own deepest desires.

Jude and Faron fall fast and hard, but Jude has spent a lifetime learning that he can’t be what the people he loves need. So when the opportunity arises to renew his career in Boston, he thinks he has to choose: music, or Faron? Only by taking a huge risk—and finally believing he’s worthy of love just as he is—can he have the chance for both.

The Small Change series is set in the Middle of Somewhere universe and features crossover characters from that series. Each book can be read on its own.

Content warning: This book contains explicit discussion of depression, anxiety, attempted suicide, and feelings of worthlessness.

Invitation to the Blues (Small Change #2)

Publisher: Monster Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): March 28th, 2018

Length (Print & Ebook): About 81,000 words

Subgenre: Contemporary romance

Content warning: depression, suicide, thoughts of worthlessness, food issues

 

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“Hold this,” Faron murmured into my hair, and handed me the sketchbook. I held it so he could draw with his right hand as his left continued to explore my torso. He sketched our feet, his elegant and high-arched, and mine, bony and slender; his dark, mine pale. And all the while, his fingers sketched other shapes against my skin. He dipped into my navel and ran along my ribs, sending shivers down my spine. When he skimmed a fingertip over my nipple I gasped and tensed against him.

He traced my nipple until it was a hard peak, then squeezed it, and my hips jerked, making the sketchbook jump in my hand. Faron’s breath went rough and he nuzzled into my hair.

My heart was pounding and I knew he could feel it. I squirmed to try and take my shirt off, but I couldn’t quite get it. Faron stripped it off of me and ran sure fingers along my ribs. Then he traced the blue veins visible beneath my skin from my heart to where they disappeared under my waistband.

With my oversized shirt out of the way, the bulge of my erection in my jeans was obvious.

I drew my knee up, resting it against the back of the couch. He slid a hand up the inside of my thigh so slowly I held my breath, but he didn’t touch my hard cock and I shuddered with arousal.

“Jude,” Faron breathed, and I let the sketchbook fall between us as I went for the button on my jeans. I felt like I was made of pounding heart, flushed skin, raging need, and it felt like nothing I’d ever experienced. It didn’t even feel like sex; it felt like desire. It felt like what I knew sex was supposed to feel like but rarely had for me.

This is book 2 in the Small Change series, but being that book 1 is a traditions m/f romance, I didn’t read it. But you absolutely don’t need to read book 1 to read book 2.

I love deep, angsty, character driven stories. And this hit the mark. Jude has battled depression his whole life. Add in a controlling, nasty boyfriend and recovering from a suicide attempt- this is the juicy book I love to read.

Getting depression and anxiety right in a book can be difficult. You can tell when the author either did their research or are sufferers themselves. It comes through in the pages. You can almost feel what Jude is feeling.

Enter Faron. Now, Jude is the center of the story really- but Faron. I could so easily picture him. I loved that both of these characters were not the typical we see in books. Such a refreshing change. Back to Faron. He is a man of few words but the words he uses are powerful. He feels and loves with everything he has. He helps Jude see the man he really is. But he never controls or pushes or makes ultimatums.

Roan Parrish has a way with words. She doesn’t fall back on metaphors we see constantly or descriptions that go on and on. She is succinct, but can paint a beautiful picture.

I really loved these two. I wish the book hadn’t ended because I want more of them

4.5 pieces of eye candy

Roan Parrish lives in Philadelphia, where she is gradually attempting to write love stories in every genre.

When not writing, she can usually be found cutting her friends’ hair, meandering through whatever city she’s in while listening to torch songs and melodic death metal, or cooking overly elaborate meals. She loves bonfires, winter beaches, minor chord harmonies, and self-tattooing. One time she may or may not have baked a six-layer chocolate cake and then thrown it out the window in a fit of pique.

Connect with Roan:

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