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booksafety's Reviews (586)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“Seriously, does that toyboy of yours let you sleep?” “Let’s get one thing straight,” I told her haughtily over my shoulder, “I am the toyboy in our relationship, being the youngest and prettiest and all.”
This omegaverse book was refreshingly original, and I’m glad I snagged an ARC. I’ve read quite a bit of omegaverse the last couple of years, but this is the first time I’ve read one where the alpha is rare. In this world, alphas have been extinct for a looot of years, and I loved that aspect of the story. It added something different you don’t see a lot.
I also really enjoyed how the MCs chemistry really showed on page. That part of these types of books is so important to get right if the instant connection is gonna be believable. These guys are really put through a lot personally and as a couple, and I’m glad it wasn’t treated like their lives hadn’t just exploded. Playing off all of that personal upheaval like no problem at all wouldn’t have worked, but it still wasn’t really angsty. They communicated well and decided to make it work.
This is also the most mpreggy mpreg book I’ve read, I think. A lot of the pregnancy (as well as the birth) is on page, so it isn’t treated as an afterthought in the epilogue. It was a large part of the plot, and so sweet and cute at times. The couple gets their HEA, but the author has set it up for a future series, so there’s a bit of a series cliffhanger.
Extra note: it’s been cool to see the author write better and better sex scenes with each book.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Omegaverse
Mpreg
Rare alpha
Wolf shifters
Chance meeting
Accidental mating
Designation awakening
Knotting/slick/biting
Found family
Alpha and omega
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mpreg
Discussions of infertility
Kidnapping
Violence
On-page birth
Explicit sexual content
Anxiety
Accidental pregnancy
Gun violence
Knotting/slick
Gunshot wound
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Shifter romance/omegaverse, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 22 and 31
Pages: 306
“But if you change your mind, just tell me, okay? I need my mate in fighting shape.” Ollie snorted again. “Fighting, huh? Is that what we’re calling it?” My cheeks burned. “Around my sister it is.”
“Jesus, Beck, what did you do to him?” Sandy joked. I was not expecting Beck to respond honestly. “I knocked him up.” Silence fell. “Say what now?”
“Fucking fuck.”
“You’re doing well, Ollie. You can do this.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up.”
I imagine this is an accurate representation of giving birth, lol.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Seriously, does that toyboy of yours let you sleep?” “Let’s get one thing straight,” I told her haughtily over my shoulder, “I am the toyboy in our relationship, being the youngest and prettiest and all.”
This omegaverse book was refreshingly original, and I’m glad I snagged an ARC. I’ve read quite a bit of omegaverse the last couple of years, but this is the first time I’ve read one where the alpha is rare. In this world, alphas have been extinct for a looot of years, and I loved that aspect of the story. It added something different you don’t see a lot.
I also really enjoyed how the MCs chemistry really showed on page. That part of these types of books is so important to get right if the instant connection is gonna be believable. These guys are really put through a lot personally and as a couple, and I’m glad it wasn’t treated like their lives hadn’t just exploded. Playing off all of that personal upheaval like no problem at all wouldn’t have worked, but it still wasn’t really angsty. They communicated well and decided to make it work.
This is also the most mpreggy mpreg book I’ve read, I think. A lot of the pregnancy (as well as the birth) is on page, so it isn’t treated as an afterthought in the epilogue. It was a large part of the plot, and so sweet and cute at times. The couple gets their HEA, but the author has set it up for a future series, so there’s a bit of a series cliffhanger.
Extra note: it’s been cool to see the author write better and better sex scenes with each book.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Omegaverse
Mpreg
Rare alpha
Wolf shifters
Chance meeting
Accidental mating
Designation awakening
Knotting/slick/biting
Found family
Alpha and omega
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mpreg
Discussions of infertility
Kidnapping
Violence
On-page birth
Explicit sexual content
Anxiety
Accidental pregnancy
Gun violence
Knotting/slick
Gunshot wound
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Shifter romance/omegaverse, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 22 and 31
Pages: 306
“But if you change your mind, just tell me, okay? I need my mate in fighting shape.” Ollie snorted again. “Fighting, huh? Is that what we’re calling it?” My cheeks burned. “Around my sister it is.”
“Jesus, Beck, what did you do to him?” Sandy joked. I was not expecting Beck to respond honestly. “I knocked him up.” Silence fell. “Say what now?”
“Fucking fuck.”
“You’re doing well, Ollie. You can do this.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up.”
I imagine this is an accurate representation of giving birth, lol.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
"I know it's not real. I––you don't have to mean it. Just think of it as a lie. Please? Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
Okay, wow. I can’t believe this is a debut. I read it in one sitting, not even exaggerating a little. I am thoroughly impressed by the emotional depth in this, considering how amazingly smutty it is, lol. I am a fiend for ‘sad boy’ characters and hurt/comfort, and that is this book to a T. It’s also probably the hottest book I’ve read in a while, so take a gander at the tropes and tags if you wanna know what you’re in for. Good stuff.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.
I love age gaps, and it usually feels a little strange when I read a book without one, but I have to admit I was the tiniest bit worried when I found out that Sage is only 18 (turns 19 in the book), but I thought it was handled beautifully. Lucas doesn’t at all give an ‘old man’ vibe. He’s older, but he’s playful, sweet, caring, and just the teeniest bit obsessed with Sage. Well, they’re obsessed with each other, and I loved it. Their dynamic just got better and better throughout the book, and the banter and general fun they had together put a huge smile on my face. You also get the idea that they’re both family people. They want a home and love, and are able to give each other that. Lucas did mess up badly a couple times, but I’m glad he realized and apologized quite quickly.
Is that a kink? Caregiving? If it is, I have it, and this wasn't something I knew about myself before him.
The heavy themes were handled well, and it really did turn into such a beautiful love story. Again, if my friend hadn’t told me beforehand, I would’ve never guessed this is a debut. 100% an author to keep an eye out for, and I can’t recommend the book enough. If you want really hot spice, emotional moments that will make you tear up, and chemistry that will make you giggle, this is the one.
Somehow, 'I didn't know he was only eighteen' doesn't sound noble to admit, and it definitely doesn't make the situation any less inappropriate. I fucked him and then hired him.
Oh, and Sage is probably the most
"I know it's not real. I––you don't have to mean it. Just think of it as a lie. Please? Just tell me a lie, and I'm yours."
Okay, wow. I can’t believe this is a debut. I read it in one sitting, not even exaggerating a little. I am thoroughly impressed by the emotional depth in this, considering how amazingly smutty it is, lol. I am a fiend for ‘sad boy’ characters and hurt/comfort, and that is this book to a T. It’s also probably the hottest book I’ve read in a while, so take a gander at the tropes and tags if you wanna know what you’re in for. Good stuff.
Cute isn’t an adjective that I use a lot, but I look at him, and I swear I just want to barrel into him, sweep him into my arms, and fucking squeeze. Cute aggression is real, and it’s maddening.
I love age gaps, and it usually feels a little strange when I read a book without one, but I have to admit I was the tiniest bit worried when I found out that Sage is only 18 (turns 19 in the book), but I thought it was handled beautifully. Lucas doesn’t at all give an ‘old man’ vibe. He’s older, but he’s playful, sweet, caring, and just the teeniest bit obsessed with Sage. Well, they’re obsessed with each other, and I loved it. Their dynamic just got better and better throughout the book, and the banter and general fun they had together put a huge smile on my face. You also get the idea that they’re both family people. They want a home and love, and are able to give each other that. Lucas did mess up badly a couple times, but I’m glad he realized and apologized quite quickly.
Is that a kink? Caregiving? If it is, I have it, and this wasn't something I knew about myself before him.
The heavy themes were handled well, and it really did turn into such a beautiful love story. Again, if my friend hadn’t told me beforehand, I would’ve never guessed this is a debut. 100% an author to keep an eye out for, and I can’t recommend the book enough. If you want really hot spice, emotional moments that will make you tear up, and chemistry that will make you giggle, this is the one.
Somehow, 'I didn't know he was only eighteen' doesn't sound noble to admit, and it definitely doesn't make the situation any less inappropriate. I fucked him and then hired him.
Oh, and Sage is probably the most
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“I love you so fucking much. It gets hard to breathe sometimes when I think about you.”
Aight, I gave book 1 a ‘tissue warning’ because I cried quite a bit while reading it, so now I’m left wondering what the *hell* I’m supposed to say about this one. I cried my damn eyes out, lol.
I feel like every Tal Bauer review I write is about the same. Writes like no one else… a crazy amount of emotions… nail-biting suspense… my favorite author, etc., and it’s all still true. This book was a ride and a half, let me tell you. It contains one of the most heartbreaking moments I’ve read, actually, and I still loved it to bits. Perfect if you like romantic suspense or political aspects, but amazing no matter what. There’s a also a beautiful romance in the middle of everything going on.
Actually, there’s nearly three love stories in this series, with amazing side characters that feature more and more (see the quote at the bottom of this review for a glimpse of my favorite pair or side characters). I love the ‘multiple POV’ aspect so much, and it really is needed with a massive plot like this with a giant cast of characters.
Where do you go from here, Ethan? Where do you go when your life shatters and everything you planned for evaporates? […] What’s left for you now?
But yeah, utter heartbreak aside and nearly every character being near death at one point or another, it’s a fantastic book. Tal Bauer can do no wrong.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
POTUS
First gentleman
Political thriller
Romantic suspense
Size difference
Established couple
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
PTSD
Flashbacks
Hate crime (physical attack, side character)
Internalized homophobia (side character)
Severely injured side character
Gun violence
Execution video
Suicide bombing
On-page killing
Death of side characters
Suicide (antagonist)
Brief mentions of sexual situations with dubious consent (antagonist and side character)
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Yes, but neither MC look elsewhere.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 3rd person, multiple POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 41 and 46
Pages: 477
And this was what he loved about Jack. Strength wrapped in an effusive optimism, a soul that promised the world would be a better place if you only just held on and never let go. A solid core of unflappability, the center of him rooted in gentle happiness. Jack radiated joy to Ethan’s soul, and he basked in Jack’s grins, his playful personality, like a tree turning its leaves to the sun.
“Loving you will never be a mistake to me,” Faisal finally said. “If you believe our love is a mistake, then that is your burden to bear.” His voice, as always, was soft and gently accented thanks to his private English tutors in Riyadh and his Oxford education. It tore at Adam’s heart, always. The tenderness containing a core of ferocity, a hidden fire that rivaled the sun.
“I love you so fucking much. It gets hard to breathe sometimes when I think about you.”
Aight, I gave book 1 a ‘tissue warning’ because I cried quite a bit while reading it, so now I’m left wondering what the *hell* I’m supposed to say about this one. I cried my damn eyes out, lol.
I feel like every Tal Bauer review I write is about the same. Writes like no one else… a crazy amount of emotions… nail-biting suspense… my favorite author, etc., and it’s all still true. This book was a ride and a half, let me tell you. It contains one of the most heartbreaking moments I’ve read, actually, and I still loved it to bits. Perfect if you like romantic suspense or political aspects, but amazing no matter what. There’s a also a beautiful romance in the middle of everything going on.
Actually, there’s nearly three love stories in this series, with amazing side characters that feature more and more (see the quote at the bottom of this review for a glimpse of my favorite pair or side characters). I love the ‘multiple POV’ aspect so much, and it really is needed with a massive plot like this with a giant cast of characters.
Where do you go from here, Ethan? Where do you go when your life shatters and everything you planned for evaporates? […] What’s left for you now?
But yeah, utter heartbreak aside and nearly every character being near death at one point or another, it’s a fantastic book. Tal Bauer can do no wrong.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
POTUS
First gentleman
Political thriller
Romantic suspense
Size difference
Established couple
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Graphic violence
Explicit sexual content
Homophobia
PTSD
Flashbacks
Hate crime (physical attack, side character)
Internalized homophobia (side character)
Severely injured side character
Gun violence
Execution video
Suicide bombing
On-page killing
Death of side characters
Suicide (antagonist)
Brief mentions of sexual situations with dubious consent (antagonist and side character)
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Yes, but neither MC look elsewhere.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 3rd person, multiple POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 41 and 46
Pages: 477
And this was what he loved about Jack. Strength wrapped in an effusive optimism, a soul that promised the world would be a better place if you only just held on and never let go. A solid core of unflappability, the center of him rooted in gentle happiness. Jack radiated joy to Ethan’s soul, and he basked in Jack’s grins, his playful personality, like a tree turning its leaves to the sun.
“Loving you will never be a mistake to me,” Faisal finally said. “If you believe our love is a mistake, then that is your burden to bear.” His voice, as always, was soft and gently accented thanks to his private English tutors in Riyadh and his Oxford education. It tore at Adam’s heart, always. The tenderness containing a core of ferocity, a hidden fire that rivaled the sun.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“You know, we could skip the punishment and just go straight to the reward.” “You know that’s not how it works, right?”
I have probably told half the world about how impressed I was with Myf Wren’s debut ‘Viking Ink’ at this point, and that it’s one of my very favorite age play books. When I found out about this book, I was super excited. I normally don’t enjoy books that feature a previous couple, but this was delightfully low angst and just super sweet. I enjoy both MCs a lot, and I had a good time reconnecting and seeing more of them.
Rhys pouted and he gave me the saddest look, one that most people with a pulse would collapse at.
There’s a bit of an update on everything that went down at the end of Viking Ink, and gives more of an insight and introduction into future main characters that are getting their own books.
“Did you come while Daddy rode your face, sweetheart?”
I would’ve loved to see more of Rhys and Simon together on page in this one, as they generally have great and cute interactions, but it’s still a good read. A lovely christmas vibe, some cute moments in Little space and a couple good spicy scenes. Can definitely recommend if you enjoyed Viking Ink.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age play
Age gap
Established couple
Book 2
UK setting
Past trauma
Found family
Christmas
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Age play
ABDL
Explicit sexual content
Spanking
Mentions of past abuse
References to past murder attempt
Anxiety
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 21 and 38
Pages: 230
“You know, we could skip the punishment and just go straight to the reward.” “You know that’s not how it works, right?”
I have probably told half the world about how impressed I was with Myf Wren’s debut ‘Viking Ink’ at this point, and that it’s one of my very favorite age play books. When I found out about this book, I was super excited. I normally don’t enjoy books that feature a previous couple, but this was delightfully low angst and just super sweet. I enjoy both MCs a lot, and I had a good time reconnecting and seeing more of them.
Rhys pouted and he gave me the saddest look, one that most people with a pulse would collapse at.
There’s a bit of an update on everything that went down at the end of Viking Ink, and gives more of an insight and introduction into future main characters that are getting their own books.
“Did you come while Daddy rode your face, sweetheart?”
I would’ve loved to see more of Rhys and Simon together on page in this one, as they generally have great and cute interactions, but it’s still a good read. A lovely christmas vibe, some cute moments in Little space and a couple good spicy scenes. Can definitely recommend if you enjoyed Viking Ink.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age play
Age gap
Established couple
Book 2
UK setting
Past trauma
Found family
Christmas
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Age play
ABDL
Explicit sexual content
Spanking
Mentions of past abuse
References to past murder attempt
Anxiety
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 21 and 38
Pages: 230
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
They gazed into each other’s eyes as they kept dancing, their foreheads resting together, and traded soft kisses in between smiles and gentle giggles.
I started this one nearly immediately after Enemies of the State, and finished it really fast. It’s a smaller book, but gives a lovely insight into what it was like for Jack and Ethan to be in a long distance relationship for a while. It was a little heartbreaking to see how lonely Ethan was in particular, but equally lovely to see how supportive of each other they were. I love these MCs so much already, and I’m worried about the angst coming up in the second book. Oh well. I will survive.
“I want to be with you,” Jack whispered. “Really with you, Ethan. Like this isn’t a scandal. I want you by my side in those photos I just had to take. I don’t want you hanging out in the corners. I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret.”
This was also such a great setup for book two, and I can’t wait to get started. I don’t think Tal could every write something I wouldn’t love. The way he tells a story is like no one else I know about. I adore everything I read by this author.
Once, Ethan had seen a movie that spoke about four great kisses in the history of the world. Step aside, he thought. This is the kiss of the ages.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
President
Secret service agent
Suspense
Political thriller
Ex military
Size difference
Long distance relationship
Media chaos
Loneliness
Book 1.5
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
MC shunned at work
Sexuality assumed/policed
Mentions of parent death (cancer, off page, past)
Dead body/murder victim detailed
Vomiting
Mentions of terrorism
References to islamic extremism
Mentions of terrorist groups
Mentions of human/sexual trafficking
Mentions of murdered women
Homophobic language
Homophobia
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile (no switching on page)
MCs age: 41 and 45
Pages: 201
They gazed into each other’s eyes as they kept dancing, their foreheads resting together, and traded soft kisses in between smiles and gentle giggles.
I started this one nearly immediately after Enemies of the State, and finished it really fast. It’s a smaller book, but gives a lovely insight into what it was like for Jack and Ethan to be in a long distance relationship for a while. It was a little heartbreaking to see how lonely Ethan was in particular, but equally lovely to see how supportive of each other they were. I love these MCs so much already, and I’m worried about the angst coming up in the second book. Oh well. I will survive.
“I want to be with you,” Jack whispered. “Really with you, Ethan. Like this isn’t a scandal. I want you by my side in those photos I just had to take. I don’t want you hanging out in the corners. I don’t want you to be my dirty little secret.”
This was also such a great setup for book two, and I can’t wait to get started. I don’t think Tal could every write something I wouldn’t love. The way he tells a story is like no one else I know about. I adore everything I read by this author.
Once, Ethan had seen a movie that spoke about four great kisses in the history of the world. Step aside, he thought. This is the kiss of the ages.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
President
Secret service agent
Suspense
Political thriller
Ex military
Size difference
Long distance relationship
Media chaos
Loneliness
Book 1.5
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
MC shunned at work
Sexuality assumed/policed
Mentions of parent death (cancer, off page, past)
Dead body/murder victim detailed
Vomiting
Mentions of terrorism
References to islamic extremism
Mentions of terrorist groups
Mentions of human/sexual trafficking
Mentions of murdered women
Homophobic language
Homophobia
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile (no switching on page)
MCs age: 41 and 45
Pages: 201
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
I want a life with you. I want this to be—I want more than we can have.” Andy is looking at him so carefully, too carefully. “But I want it anyway,” Nick admits.
Historical normally isn’t my jam at all, especially when it’s contemporary, but I enjoyed this. It certainly could’ve easily been horribly angsty, but it really wasn’t. It wasn’t angst free either, but I was pleasantly surprised. Nick and Andy developed such a sweet friendship where you could really tell they were genuine best friends. It felt like the development of their relationship, both from strangers to friends and from friends to lovers was really organic and I could feel the change with them.
Neither historical romance or friends to lovers are tropes I love, but there’s always exceptions and this was one of them. Cat Sebastian’s writing is truly beautiful, and Joel Leslie brought it all to life with the audio. He felt really right for these characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me, and considering the time it’s set in and the challenges of their relationship, I would have really appreciated an epilogue set a bit further in the future, just so I could see how happy they still were together. I definitely believed in their love and future, but actually knowing is different. There was also some external plot that turned into nothing, and while I understood the choice and wasn’t a case of the author dropping the ball, I was really looking forward to a resolution to the situation and mystery. Just wasn’t meant to be, historically, and I can acknowledge that it was the right choice for the characters. I just wanted my external plot fix, lol.
Families might usually be bonded by blood, but maybe sometimes they’re bonded by shared secrets, by a delicate mixture of caution and faith, by the conviction that hiding together is better in every way than hiding alone.
Predictably there were issues with family, but there were some really lovely family moments too, including found family, which really gave it a hopeful and happy lift.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Historical (1959)
Coworkers
Journalists
Closeted MCs
Friends to lovers
Slow burn
Miscommunication
Slow dancing
Pining
First times
Fade to gray (door cracked slightly open)
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption (to point of intoxication - several times)
Death of a parent in bombing (past, no details)
MC mugged and beaten (off page, minor injuries)
MC cheated on by fiancé (off page, not other MC)
Homophobia
Arrested for homosexuality (MC, past)
Non-explicit sexual content
Fear of abandonment
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Andy dates a woman for a while (prologue). Nick sleeps with other people while they know each other. Both believe the other is straight, just friends at the time. No detailed hookups. MC proposes to girlfriend on page (wedding called off). From chapter 1 there’s only the MCs. Before anything happens between them, Andy convinces Nick to go to a bar together so that Nick can get laid, but he only chats with another man before Andy gets jealous and they both leave the bar.
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Historical romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 26 and 26
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 384
The truth is that after last night, Andy feels like his body has been rearranged in some subtle way and that now it belongs to Nick; it’s a stupid thought but he’s having it anyway.
“[…] if I have to choose between work and you, between a story and you, between anything and you, I’m picking you. […]”
He feels as if he’s been turned inside out, as if he just learned that a part of his heart is on the outside of his body, in the possession of somebody else entirely.
Andy throws the door open, revealing a cat sitting inside the garbage can, the remains of table scraps all over its face. “You’re filthy,” Andy says, as if an animal sitting in a trash can could be anything else. The cat produces a little yowl that Andy chooses to interpret as agreement. Then it wiggles, and Andy realizes that the poor idiot doesn’t know how to get out. “Jump,” Andy suggests. “Or climb. You got through the window. You can’t be totally helpless.” In response, the cat makes a beeping sound, as if arguing that no, he can definitely be that helpless.
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I want a life with you. I want this to be—I want more than we can have.” Andy is looking at him so carefully, too carefully. “But I want it anyway,” Nick admits.
Historical normally isn’t my jam at all, especially when it’s contemporary, but I enjoyed this. It certainly could’ve easily been horribly angsty, but it really wasn’t. It wasn’t angst free either, but I was pleasantly surprised. Nick and Andy developed such a sweet friendship where you could really tell they were genuine best friends. It felt like the development of their relationship, both from strangers to friends and from friends to lovers was really organic and I could feel the change with them.
Neither historical romance or friends to lovers are tropes I love, but there’s always exceptions and this was one of them. Cat Sebastian’s writing is truly beautiful, and Joel Leslie brought it all to life with the audio. He felt really right for these characters.
The ending was a bit abrupt for me, and considering the time it’s set in and the challenges of their relationship, I would have really appreciated an epilogue set a bit further in the future, just so I could see how happy they still were together. I definitely believed in their love and future, but actually knowing is different. There was also some external plot that turned into nothing, and while I understood the choice and wasn’t a case of the author dropping the ball, I was really looking forward to a resolution to the situation and mystery. Just wasn’t meant to be, historically, and I can acknowledge that it was the right choice for the characters. I just wanted my external plot fix, lol.
Families might usually be bonded by blood, but maybe sometimes they’re bonded by shared secrets, by a delicate mixture of caution and faith, by the conviction that hiding together is better in every way than hiding alone.
Predictably there were issues with family, but there were some really lovely family moments too, including found family, which really gave it a hopeful and happy lift.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Historical (1959)
Coworkers
Journalists
Closeted MCs
Friends to lovers
Slow burn
Miscommunication
Slow dancing
Pining
First times
Fade to gray (door cracked slightly open)
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption (to point of intoxication - several times)
Death of a parent in bombing (past, no details)
MC mugged and beaten (off page, minor injuries)
MC cheated on by fiancé (off page, not other MC)
Homophobia
Arrested for homosexuality (MC, past)
Non-explicit sexual content
Fear of abandonment
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Andy dates a woman for a while (prologue). Nick sleeps with other people while they know each other. Both believe the other is straight, just friends at the time. No detailed hookups. MC proposes to girlfriend on page (wedding called off). From chapter 1 there’s only the MCs. Before anything happens between them, Andy convinces Nick to go to a bar together so that Nick can get laid, but he only chats with another man before Andy gets jealous and they both leave the bar.
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Historical romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 26 and 26
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 384
The truth is that after last night, Andy feels like his body has been rearranged in some subtle way and that now it belongs to Nick; it’s a stupid thought but he’s having it anyway.
“[…] if I have to choose between work and you, between a story and you, between anything and you, I’m picking you. […]”
He feels as if he’s been turned inside out, as if he just learned that a part of his heart is on the outside of his body, in the possession of somebody else entirely.
Andy throws the door open, revealing a cat sitting inside the garbage can, the remains of table scraps all over its face. “You’re filthy,” Andy says, as if an animal sitting in a trash can could be anything else. The cat produces a little yowl that Andy chooses to interpret as agreement. Then it wiggles, and Andy realizes that the poor idiot doesn’t know how to get out. “Jump,” Andy suggests. “Or climb. You got through the window. You can’t be totally helpless.” In response, the cat makes a beeping sound, as if arguing that no, he can definitely be that helpless.
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Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
But life didn’t wait for healing. It just carried on whether we were still hurting or not.
I finished the book a few days ago, but I needed to sit with it for a while. Feel all the feelings, and think all the thoughts. It feels criminal to try to sum up these books in the typical reviews I do. They really are so much more than a short list of tropes and content warnings. Both of those things are of course important, but it can never explain a book entirely.
This was what I’d come here for—to prove to him that I was worthy of being his friend, to try and repair what I’d broken.
The third and final book was maybe a smidge less angsty than the first two, but it was in no way less emotional. Maybe the most difficult bit is all the guilt Peter is dealing with still, and how he's trying to rebuild relationships and regain trust. I find the books very realistic, which means that these things aren't achieved easily. Daniel is sweetness personified, he has a savior complex, as well as trust issues, and I love him a lot. Daniel doesn't really trust Peter, and although this is more than understandable after the previous books, it's heartbreaking to read.
I wanted to make up for the entire last year of my life, for who I’d been to him and Leslie, and for what I’d done to them both. But I also needed to find a way to prove it all to myself—not only to him, but to me. This wasn’t just about Daniel. It was about being the person I wanted to be.
There's been so much hurt and angst in the trilogy that I spent the third book just wanting things to be okay and for everyone to be happy. I'm honestly not sure if we got that or not, but I did end the book feeling hopeful for the characters' futures.
Lying for so long had stolen my ability to know who to trust. For that matter, could I even trust myself?
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Friends to lovers
Trilogy slow burn
HFN
Troublesome ex
Edging
Set in the 90’s
Hurt/comfort
College
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Side character hospitalized
Death of a side character
Alcoholic parent (relapse)
Custody/family dispute about siblings
Unsafe sex (side character)
Sexual self harm (side character)
Side character diagnosed with HIV
Brief mentions of physical and sexual abuse of a side character (past, off page)
Physical abuse (parent, side character, off page)
Side character disowned and cut off from family
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Yes, Adam is a constant force. Peter does not go back to him.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Genre: Historical/coming of age/romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 19 and 22
“[…] You ruin things. You take love and make it ugly. I don’t want you anymore.”
What was this miasma of sneering pride and wrenching pain? Did it have a name? How could I take a picture of it? It was so ugly, sharp, and mean.
I hung up before he could say another word. I had to get off the line before I let his love and my sick need for it pull me under.
Daniel was beautiful, inside and out, and being with him didn’t make me feel like I needed to take photos of myself curled up in corners of abandoned buildings, or haunted and alone in mirrors, documenting love bites from a guy who would never love me in public.
But life didn’t wait for healing. It just carried on whether we were still hurting or not.
I finished the book a few days ago, but I needed to sit with it for a while. Feel all the feelings, and think all the thoughts. It feels criminal to try to sum up these books in the typical reviews I do. They really are so much more than a short list of tropes and content warnings. Both of those things are of course important, but it can never explain a book entirely.
This was what I’d come here for—to prove to him that I was worthy of being his friend, to try and repair what I’d broken.
The third and final book was maybe a smidge less angsty than the first two, but it was in no way less emotional. Maybe the most difficult bit is all the guilt Peter is dealing with still, and how he's trying to rebuild relationships and regain trust. I find the books very realistic, which means that these things aren't achieved easily. Daniel is sweetness personified, he has a savior complex, as well as trust issues, and I love him a lot. Daniel doesn't really trust Peter, and although this is more than understandable after the previous books, it's heartbreaking to read.
I wanted to make up for the entire last year of my life, for who I’d been to him and Leslie, and for what I’d done to them both. But I also needed to find a way to prove it all to myself—not only to him, but to me. This wasn’t just about Daniel. It was about being the person I wanted to be.
There's been so much hurt and angst in the trilogy that I spent the third book just wanting things to be okay and for everyone to be happy. I'm honestly not sure if we got that or not, but I did end the book feeling hopeful for the characters' futures.
Lying for so long had stolen my ability to know who to trust. For that matter, could I even trust myself?
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Friends to lovers
Trilogy slow burn
HFN
Troublesome ex
Edging
Set in the 90’s
Hurt/comfort
College
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Side character hospitalized
Death of a side character
Alcoholic parent (relapse)
Custody/family dispute about siblings
Unsafe sex (side character)
Sexual self harm (side character)
Side character diagnosed with HIV
Brief mentions of physical and sexual abuse of a side character (past, off page)
Physical abuse (parent, side character, off page)
Side character disowned and cut off from family
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: Yes, Adam is a constant force. Peter does not go back to him.
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Genre: Historical/coming of age/romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MCs age: 19 and 22
“[…] You ruin things. You take love and make it ugly. I don’t want you anymore.”
What was this miasma of sneering pride and wrenching pain? Did it have a name? How could I take a picture of it? It was so ugly, sharp, and mean.
I hung up before he could say another word. I had to get off the line before I let his love and my sick need for it pull me under.
Daniel was beautiful, inside and out, and being with him didn’t make me feel like I needed to take photos of myself curled up in corners of abandoned buildings, or haunted and alone in mirrors, documenting love bites from a guy who would never love me in public.
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the only thing you know, even if that thing hurts you or doesn’t make you happy. You don’t know any better, so you don’t even bother trying.”
It’s a bit silly that I waited this long to read this book, and for no other reason than it was recommended too many times and my brain went ‘well now I’m not gonna do it!’, but here we finally are. It was a beautiful book with a concept I never could’ve thought up myself, so it gets stars on originality alone. And other stuffs.
Somehow, in spite of the abuse and sad setting, it’s a funny and mostly lighthearted story, in my opinion. I expected it to be angsty, but other than one particularly sad scene it wasn’t bad at all. To me, anyway.
He always thought that when people in books describe heartache like someone reaching into their chest and crushing it with their fist, they are being overly dramatic. He doesn’t anymore.
I don’t really have a lot of feelings about Dawson. He’s a good character, don’t get me wrong. He was put in horribly difficult situation and somehow fought his way out of it, healing himself. The fact that he could be vulnerable and fall in love after enduring what he did is incredible. Cal on the other hand is probably the cutest, most himbo-ish character I’ve read in ages. He is absolutely clueless about most things for large parts of the book, which was adorable and made me expel breath slightly harder out of my nose a couple times while reading (twas funny).
This book also has a pretty big, fairly epic plot twist, which I honestly forgot is supposed to be a twist because I’ve known about it for months, lol (addicted to spoilers).
So yes, while serious, absolutely tragic in some ways, and just plain sad in others, it was also a funny love story with tons of butterfly inducing moments between the main characters. It’s an incredible story with a twist you’ll want to experience.
I really struggled with the 3rd person present tense for a long time as I’ve never actually read that before, as well as it being a bit too long for me at the moment, but don’t let that affect your decision to read it or not. It was worth the time it took!
If it isn’t happy, it’s not the end.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Paranormal elements
Size difference
Age gap
Past (and present) trauma
Himbo vibes
Slow burn
Therapy
Retrograde amnesia
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
MC raped on page by current husband (not other MC, detailed)
Domestic abuse (between MC and side character):
Physical abuse (on page)
Sexual abuse (on page)
Psychological and verbal abuse (on page)
Controlling and manipulative behavior
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of the death of parents (off page, past)
Side character severely injured in car crash (off page)
Side character driving under the influence (off page)
Self-deprecating jokes/casual suicidal jokes
Alcoholic side character (intoxicated on page)
Medical emergency (MC experiencing heart attack)
MC hospitalized
*none of the abuse occurs between MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Sort of, briefly
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Mostly contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 26 and ‘a few eons’
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 506
He’d give anything to make sure Dawson’s soul shines again. He’d give anything to show Dawson how much he deserves to be loved. Utterly, completely. He’d give anything.
“I really wish I could remember you,” he says, meaning every word. “I don’t really care if I remember anything else, but you… I want to remember you.”
“Cal can still get his marbles together and return to work.” “Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he says carefully. “Why?” Ellis asks, suspicious. How to put this… “Let’s say the marbles have scattered in all directions.”
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“Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the only thing you know, even if that thing hurts you or doesn’t make you happy. You don’t know any better, so you don’t even bother trying.”
It’s a bit silly that I waited this long to read this book, and for no other reason than it was recommended too many times and my brain went ‘well now I’m not gonna do it!’, but here we finally are. It was a beautiful book with a concept I never could’ve thought up myself, so it gets stars on originality alone. And other stuffs.
Somehow, in spite of the abuse and sad setting, it’s a funny and mostly lighthearted story, in my opinion. I expected it to be angsty, but other than one particularly sad scene it wasn’t bad at all. To me, anyway.
He always thought that when people in books describe heartache like someone reaching into their chest and crushing it with their fist, they are being overly dramatic. He doesn’t anymore.
I don’t really have a lot of feelings about Dawson. He’s a good character, don’t get me wrong. He was put in horribly difficult situation and somehow fought his way out of it, healing himself. The fact that he could be vulnerable and fall in love after enduring what he did is incredible. Cal on the other hand is probably the cutest, most himbo-ish character I’ve read in ages. He is absolutely clueless about most things for large parts of the book, which was adorable and made me expel breath slightly harder out of my nose a couple times while reading (twas funny).
This book also has a pretty big, fairly epic plot twist, which I honestly forgot is supposed to be a twist because I’ve known about it for months, lol (addicted to spoilers).
So yes, while serious, absolutely tragic in some ways, and just plain sad in others, it was also a funny love story with tons of butterfly inducing moments between the main characters. It’s an incredible story with a twist you’ll want to experience.
I really struggled with the 3rd person present tense for a long time as I’ve never actually read that before, as well as it being a bit too long for me at the moment, but don’t let that affect your decision to read it or not. It was worth the time it took!
If it isn’t happy, it’s not the end.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Paranormal elements
Size difference
Age gap
Past (and present) trauma
Himbo vibes
Slow burn
Therapy
Retrograde amnesia
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
MC raped on page by current husband (not other MC, detailed)
Domestic abuse (between MC and side character):
Physical abuse (on page)
Sexual abuse (on page)
Psychological and verbal abuse (on page)
Controlling and manipulative behavior
Explicit sexual content
Mentions of the death of parents (off page, past)
Side character severely injured in car crash (off page)
Side character driving under the influence (off page)
Self-deprecating jokes/casual suicidal jokes
Alcoholic side character (intoxicated on page)
Medical emergency (MC experiencing heart attack)
MC hospitalized
*none of the abuse occurs between MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Sort of, briefly
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Mostly contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 26 and ‘a few eons’
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 506
He’d give anything to make sure Dawson’s soul shines again. He’d give anything to show Dawson how much he deserves to be loved. Utterly, completely. He’d give anything.
“I really wish I could remember you,” he says, meaning every word. “I don’t really care if I remember anything else, but you… I want to remember you.”
“Cal can still get his marbles together and return to work.” “Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he says carefully. “Why?” Ellis asks, suspicious. How to put this… “Let’s say the marbles have scattered in all directions.”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
As bizarre as it was, turning myself into Gianluca's personal weighted blanket worked wonders for both of us.
There is a lot to love in this book. I normally don’t read the ‘arranged marriage’ trope, but I loved how it was written here. The relationship is a *smidge* unconventional and dysfunctional, but both men are so loveable and sweet in their own ways. You wouldn’t think it, but they really are perfect for each other, even though how they get together is the opposite of what the start of a new and loving relationship should be. They might actually be one of my new favorite couples this year, I loved them together so much.
“I said DON’T!” Shrieking like a banshee, Nico whipped the door open and stepped out before muscling it closed. I knew from experience that the desire to slam doors was severely inhibited when dealing with sliding ones.
I *love* suspense and external trauma/drama, so this book was pretty much perfect for me. Jay Leigh writes this sort of action exceptionally well, and I’m very much looking forward to whatever they write next. The violence, action and the relationship itself was top tier in this book, but there were a couple of… not plot holes, but places where I felt something was missing? A better resolution to a relatively serious misunderstanding (just a short conversation about it would’ve helped), and an update on Nico’s family at the end. Other than that though, I thought it was a fabulous read, and Jay Leigh has cemented themselves as one of my favorite authors this year. Highly recommend if you enjoy the mafia trope at all. Maybe try it even if you don’t!
“My Nico.” He kissed my right cheek. “My Snowflake.” He kissed my other cheek. “My sweetheart.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mafia
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Size difference
Tattoos
Erratic-ball-of-energy MC
Praise kink
Human weighted blanket
Possessive
No-lube shenanigans
Eating pie
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
A detailed list of content warnings can be found in the front of the book.
* Physical assault
* Graphic violence
* Vomiting
* Nonconsensual porn (not done by one MC to the other)
* Gun violence
* Underage drinking
* Hospitalization
* Stab wound
* Lack of lube and prep
* Unsafe sex
* Death of side characters
* On-page killing
* Car accident
* Attempted murder
* Theft
* Physical abuse by parent
* Kidnapping
* Hostage situation
* Drugging
* Explicit sexual content
* Mentions of sexual situation with dub-con
* Mentions of surgery
* Strong reaction to pain medication
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Mafia romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 20 and 22
If he truly had nothing and nowhere, I would do whatever it took to become everything.
“Mine. Where I go, you go. What I say, you do. And anyone who dares lay a finger on you? I'll fucking murder them.”
“You probably shouldn’t tune out important conversations about life and death matters, baby.”
As bizarre as it was, turning myself into Gianluca's personal weighted blanket worked wonders for both of us.
There is a lot to love in this book. I normally don’t read the ‘arranged marriage’ trope, but I loved how it was written here. The relationship is a *smidge* unconventional and dysfunctional, but both men are so loveable and sweet in their own ways. You wouldn’t think it, but they really are perfect for each other, even though how they get together is the opposite of what the start of a new and loving relationship should be. They might actually be one of my new favorite couples this year, I loved them together so much.
“I said DON’T!” Shrieking like a banshee, Nico whipped the door open and stepped out before muscling it closed. I knew from experience that the desire to slam doors was severely inhibited when dealing with sliding ones.
I *love* suspense and external trauma/drama, so this book was pretty much perfect for me. Jay Leigh writes this sort of action exceptionally well, and I’m very much looking forward to whatever they write next. The violence, action and the relationship itself was top tier in this book, but there were a couple of… not plot holes, but places where I felt something was missing? A better resolution to a relatively serious misunderstanding (just a short conversation about it would’ve helped), and an update on Nico’s family at the end. Other than that though, I thought it was a fabulous read, and Jay Leigh has cemented themselves as one of my favorite authors this year. Highly recommend if you enjoy the mafia trope at all. Maybe try it even if you don’t!
“My Nico.” He kissed my right cheek. “My Snowflake.” He kissed my other cheek. “My sweetheart.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Mafia
Arranged marriage
Forced proximity
Size difference
Tattoos
Erratic-ball-of-energy MC
Praise kink
Human weighted blanket
Possessive
No-lube shenanigans
Eating pie
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
A detailed list of content warnings can be found in the front of the book.
* Physical assault
* Graphic violence
* Vomiting
* Nonconsensual porn (not done by one MC to the other)
* Gun violence
* Underage drinking
* Hospitalization
* Stab wound
* Lack of lube and prep
* Unsafe sex
* Death of side characters
* On-page killing
* Car accident
* Attempted murder
* Theft
* Physical abuse by parent
* Kidnapping
* Hostage situation
* Drugging
* Explicit sexual content
* Mentions of sexual situation with dub-con
* Mentions of surgery
* Strong reaction to pain medication
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Mafia romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 20 and 22
If he truly had nothing and nowhere, I would do whatever it took to become everything.
“Mine. Where I go, you go. What I say, you do. And anyone who dares lay a finger on you? I'll fucking murder them.”
“You probably shouldn’t tune out important conversations about life and death matters, baby.”
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“Why are you grinning like a madman right now?” “Because I want to kiss you.” Henry chewed on his lip anxiously. “But I don’t know your boundaries in the morning. Can I kiss you? Do you want to eat first? I can make you a plate.” How the hell was this prehistoric predator, a five thousand pound killing machine, able to be this adorable first thing in the morning?
Turns out, if a book or audiobook is only available through the BookFunnel app, I forget it exists, which is a massive shame, because it means it took me ages to listen to this audiobook. I had such a blast with this book and finished it the same day I started. I mean, first of all, these guys are dinosaur shifters, which should be enough to make anyone wanna read it. If you pair that with a main character who has only been awake as a human for a year and a half, hilarity and cuteness will ensue. Henry is the cutest damn character, and I love him a silly amount.
Montana is understandably closed off after losing his mate/husband a handful of years prior, and in many ways he’s still grieving, not feeling like he’s allowed to move on. Resisting Henry isn’t possible, though. The dork tries to woo him by providing food, chocolate and dancing. In dino form. Pretty sure this won’t be the last time I listen to this book.
Oh! And there’s a heist! And action! It was like the entire book was put together with the things I love most.
Kirt Graves is one of my favorite narrators, and he did a fabulous job with this book. I’m thankful for the ‘ARC’ from Hoof & Fang.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Dinosaur shifter
Love after loss
Widower
Heist
Age gap
Recently awakened shifter
First times
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of a husband (past, off page)
Death of wild animals (off page)
Graphic violence
On-page murder
Erotic spanking
Gun violence
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Dinosaur shifter romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: ‘Awake’ for 1,5 years and 100+ years
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 344
Oh my God, I wanted to build a nest for him so bad. I started eyeing sticks. I needed color. Rocks! Colorful rocks! Blue. I needed blue. SO MUCH BLUE to match his eyes.
“Montana?” Henry’s voice was a cool ripple, calm and steady. “Henry,” I answered back. From the mild calamity on the other end, I could visualize Henry forgetting about his size and crawling over laps. He had a tendency of reverting into old habits when he got excited, which was as charming and chaotic as a Golden Retriever puppy.
Blaise had warned me over and over that the whole good ol’ boy look was a honeypot of heartache, and I hadn’t really believed him until I saw Montana in cowboy boots and Wranglers. It had been a series of epiphanies igniting all at once, about four hundred of them being about my sexuality.
“You are not wearing those outside this condo. They are stripper pants, and we need to be professionals.” “Since I made money in them,” he said innocently, “doesn’t that make them professional?” My finger was defeated, and I stared at him like the frustrating, harlot puzzle piece he was. “I can’t tell if you’re legitimately asking me or if you’re a master at fucking with me.”
“I have to go. Baatar, I’m sorry I fucked things up. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. You’re a good friend, even if you are a jerk.” “Oh.” He got silent for a moment, something I’d never heard from him. “You’ve thrown me off. I had so many more ways I was going to call you a twat, and you just ruined it.”
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“Why are you grinning like a madman right now?” “Because I want to kiss you.” Henry chewed on his lip anxiously. “But I don’t know your boundaries in the morning. Can I kiss you? Do you want to eat first? I can make you a plate.” How the hell was this prehistoric predator, a five thousand pound killing machine, able to be this adorable first thing in the morning?
Turns out, if a book or audiobook is only available through the BookFunnel app, I forget it exists, which is a massive shame, because it means it took me ages to listen to this audiobook. I had such a blast with this book and finished it the same day I started. I mean, first of all, these guys are dinosaur shifters, which should be enough to make anyone wanna read it. If you pair that with a main character who has only been awake as a human for a year and a half, hilarity and cuteness will ensue. Henry is the cutest damn character, and I love him a silly amount.
Montana is understandably closed off after losing his mate/husband a handful of years prior, and in many ways he’s still grieving, not feeling like he’s allowed to move on. Resisting Henry isn’t possible, though. The dork tries to woo him by providing food, chocolate and dancing. In dino form. Pretty sure this won’t be the last time I listen to this book.
Oh! And there’s a heist! And action! It was like the entire book was put together with the things I love most.
Kirt Graves is one of my favorite narrators, and he did a fabulous job with this book. I’m thankful for the ‘ARC’ from Hoof & Fang.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Dinosaur shifter
Love after loss
Widower
Heist
Age gap
Recently awakened shifter
First times
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Death of a husband (past, off page)
Death of wild animals (off page)
Graphic violence
On-page murder
Erotic spanking
Gun violence
Injured MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, multi
Genre: Dinosaur shifter romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: ‘Awake’ for 1,5 years and 100+ years
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 344
Oh my God, I wanted to build a nest for him so bad. I started eyeing sticks. I needed color. Rocks! Colorful rocks! Blue. I needed blue. SO MUCH BLUE to match his eyes.
“Montana?” Henry’s voice was a cool ripple, calm and steady. “Henry,” I answered back. From the mild calamity on the other end, I could visualize Henry forgetting about his size and crawling over laps. He had a tendency of reverting into old habits when he got excited, which was as charming and chaotic as a Golden Retriever puppy.
Blaise had warned me over and over that the whole good ol’ boy look was a honeypot of heartache, and I hadn’t really believed him until I saw Montana in cowboy boots and Wranglers. It had been a series of epiphanies igniting all at once, about four hundred of them being about my sexuality.
“You are not wearing those outside this condo. They are stripper pants, and we need to be professionals.” “Since I made money in them,” he said innocently, “doesn’t that make them professional?” My finger was defeated, and I stared at him like the frustrating, harlot puzzle piece he was. “I can’t tell if you’re legitimately asking me or if you’re a master at fucking with me.”
“I have to go. Baatar, I’m sorry I fucked things up. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you. You’re a good friend, even if you are a jerk.” “Oh.” He got silent for a moment, something I’d never heard from him. “You’ve thrown me off. I had so many more ways I was going to call you a twat, and you just ruined it.”
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