Two Chicks Obsessed with Books & Eye Candy

Sharing our love of M/M Romance

romance

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

Team Orders (Lights Out Book 1) by RJ Scott: Release Day Review

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When tragedy strikes and team orders are called for, will Archie and Noah’s love survive the fallout?

Noah is devastated when his best friend is badly hurt in a fiery crash, and shocked when the team’s rookie steps up to take Augusto’s place. Not only is Archie inexperienced on the track, but he’s a threat to Noah’s heart when giving in to lust and passion could only end badly. Caught in the chaos of Formula 1, and despite being terrified of losing everything, Noah falls for Archie one passionate but secret moment at a time.

In his rookie F1 season as Deacon-Graaf’s reserve driver, Archie is called up to cover for an injured driver. He’s determined to earn a permanent place in a team, but for now he’s thrilled that he’s driving alongside his idol, Noah. Falling for his teammate is as simple as breathing, but their romance threatens to expose them to a media frenzy, leaving Archie facing a stark choice — love or career.

This M/M romance from RJ Scott features teammates, a secret affair, hurt/comfort, and is set in the high octane world of Formula 1 featuring fast cars, driving at the limit, spectacular crashes, heated rivalries, and of course, a HEA.

Please note, ‘Team Orders‘ contains details of a serious motorsport accident and subsequent fire.

Each book in the Lights Out collection is a standalone story, and the books can be read in any order.

Amazon – Kindle Unlimited – All Regions

New series! Shared world! Formula One!

Ok, car racing has always seemed boring to me. Watching the same cars go around and around and around. But that is as a spectator. Reading it from the point of view of a driver changed things for me a lot.

F1 racing, and let’s be serious, NASCAR, etc are not what you would call accepting of the LGBT+ population. I mean, it’s a MANLY sport, right? Eye roll. This book does not ignore that reality and why it is. I really appreciated it. Normally it’s a locker room thing. This is about sponsorship which is in the millions. And countries where even being gay is illegal. It’s really sad.

ANYWAY. On to the good stuff.

Archie and Noah are a good match. They sort of butt heads at the beginning after an accident, but neither back down. Which was fun to watch being that Archie was a rookie with a tenuous hold on the position he was handed and Noah is a veteran hoping for a podium.

There’s a lot going on with the politics of racing which puts both guys in a tough position. Add to that some scuttlebutt of them being seen together outside of racing. Not in a compromising position, but still.

Admittedly my eyes crossed a little with the technical F1 racing stuff. But I kept reading because I liked the dynamic between Archie and Noah. And I liked them as characters. No one had a chip on their shoulder. No one was a jerk. Ok, Noah was a little bit of a jerk toward the beginning. But he got over it fast.

I also liked that Archie had a sounding board with his brother. They had no secrets, but AJ also told him like it was. No beating around the bush there.

If you come for the F1 racing, stay for the guys. If you come for the guys, enjoy the racing. I learned a few things.

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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The Realist (The Vers Podcast book 3) by Riley Hart: New Release Review

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Marcus

To listeners of The Vers, a queer podcast I host with my three best friends, I’m known as The Realist—I accept life the way it is, believe in honesty over sugarcoating, and okay, I can maybe be a little bossy.

If you asked The Vers guys, they’d tell you I’m a caretaker who’s always thinking of others, but they also give over-the-top hugs and don’t believe me when I say feelings are the worst.

It’s why I have no business offering Kai Lewis a place to stay when he’s in need. He’s a flirt who makes no secret about wanting in my bed…somewhere I’d like to have him if he wasn’t the employee of one of my closest friends. But he’s too trusting and leaps before he thinks, so at least he won’t get taken advantage of if he’s with me.

Now he’s always around, wearing shorts that leave nothing to the imagination and saying he wants to take care of me because I’m always doing it for others. It’s not long before I can’t resist him—a man who likes listening in the bedroom but is stubborn in other situations.

Kai is sweet and funny and gets me to open up to him. Maybe this whole relationship thing wouldn’t be so bad…if he wasn’t nine years younger…and leaving Southern California soon…or if I had any idea what I was doing.

The Realist is an age-gap, forced-proximity romance with a bossy realist and a sunshiny flirt who has Marcus wrapped around his finger.

If you read books 1 and 2, you already know Marcus and Kai. Marcus the super successful real estate agent who is always there for his friends in a myriad of ways. And Kai, the super cute twink who works at Declan’s bar.

On a bit of a whim, when Kai is about to lose his housing and move back home with mom and dad, Marcus invites him to live at his house. And it’s not like it’s a small place. Now Marcus and Kai have flirted hard when they saw each other, but it is Marcus who holds back. Because Kai is a bit younger and because he is an employee of his best friend. Now he can add roommates to the list which makes him untouchable. HA!

I really enjoyed seeing firsthand the family dynamics of both men. Kai’s family is far from rich. Probably a solid lower middle class. But they ooze love. They enjoy spending time together and his mother complains she doesn’t see him enough. Whereas Marcus’ parents are quite cold, constantly cancel plans and take work calls when they are together.

These family dynamics really play a role in their lives. We’ve all seen Marcus with the other 3 guys. He loves and loves hard, but he isn’t demonstrative at all and hates being called out on his soft side. Whereas Kai is super demonstrative, but his defense mechanism is the whole “not a relationship guy”, when really you know he wants what his parents and siblings have.

Honestly, I feel like Marcus toyed with Kai a bit too much. Flirting to the point that Kai thought they were getting somewhere, but pulling back at the last second. And being proud of it when Kai was upset.

Other than that, they really gelled as a couple. They are very yin yang. Including their families- with Kai’s family recognizing that Marcus didn’t have anything like that himself.

I also appreciated that Kai was willing to make a huge decision for himself, without falling back on Marcus. Showed a maturity that he hasn’t yet had.

In the last and final book coming, I’d really like to see Marcus loosen up some. Now that he and Kai are together and happy, it’s time for him to jump in the pool as well.

4 pieces of eye candy