booksafety's Reviews (586)

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Seventeen years of running from my abusive, psychopathic sperm donor didn’t break me. Countless bruises, broken bones, nights sleeping in shelters and behind dumpsters didn’t break me. […] But Max Campbell? Yeah, he was going to be what finally did me in.

I fell head over heels in love with Aiden, Max and Gray the first time I read the book, and after my reread, I still do. This book has hurt/comfort, a single dad *and* age gap, with a sprinkling of suspense; literally my favorite mix of tropes.

Aiden has had a very rough life so far and goes through quite a bit of trauma during the book, and there’s two things I want to highlight about this. 1) There’s no ‘magic d*ck’. Aiden isn’t suddenly cured of his trauma or issues because he ‘got some’, which would have undermined the seriousness of his trauma. 2) He went to therapy, and he kept going. This wasn’t an automatic fix either. I definitely commend the author for this.

I also appreciated that the older character (Maxwell) did a lot of the pursuing. I can’t really think of another age gap book where this happens (and I’ve read a lot of age gap books). The book really didn’t need extended bouts of insecurity about the age difference. What little there was felt just right. The characters just fit each other.

There was push and pull, but it made sense for Aiden and Max. It was a natural part of their journey, and even though that kind of plot line can lend itself to angst, there really was very little of it. External angst though? plenty. Definitely check the content warning below, if you want them.

This is definitely the kind of book I will read again.

[…] “If I disappear, please look for me, Max. I’m not going to leave you.”
___________________________________
Update!

I did read it again, and I still love it. Perfect for those who love some suspense with their romance.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age gap
Slow burn
Single dad
Hurt/comfort
Past trauma
Friends to lovers
Size difference
Virgin MC
Interracial relationship

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Graphic violence
Torture (on page)
Kidnapping
Abusive parent (past and present, detailed)
Parent with cancer
Emotional trauma
Anxiety
Child abuse
Severely injured side character
Severely injured main character
Brief mentions of child neglect
Brief mention of addiction (not MCs)
Hospitalization

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No. They go back to being friends for a while after their first date, but no breakups.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance w/suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MC age: 21 and 35
Kid age: 6
Pages: 344

Maxwell Campbell. Holy shit, after nearly a year of crushing so hard on someone who was so far out of my league, we weren’t even on the same planet, I finally got something, just a little crumb, into this man’s life: his name.

I didn’t even know how many times I’d seen Gray or one of my nieces face-plant in a way that would break every bone in my body, and they just bounced back up like nothing happened.

We made no plans for a repeat; we never did. Sometimes, I felt like a damn hamster in a wheel as we progressed with this friendship at a pace slower than molasses, but then, right before I was heading to bed later that night, Aiden sent me a text of a meme he’d thought I’d think was funny, and I knew this snail’s pace redo was worth it.

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

I liked being alone, and I wasn’t all that interested in how other people were feeling.

Seraph is actually the reason I started this series at all. I had seen the cover and blurb all over, and wanted to read it *so* much. In hindsight I’m very thankful that it’s not something I could’ve read as a standalone, because I would’ve missed out on the first five (amazing) books. This one is very different from the other books, and it’s straight up incredible. It’s a beautiful, deeply emotional story. I can’t imagine someone reading this without shedding a single tear. It’s not necessarily a book that will make you sob (it made me sob), but man, you will *hurt* for Seraph so badly.

I was positive that he wasn’t a mindless beast, but constant agony made him seem like one.

There’s emotional moments, suspenseful ones, sexy sexytimes, scenes that will make you laugh, others that will make you kick your feet and giggle. It’s kinda got it all. I’m also a reader who often needs shit to be happening a lot. I get bored easily, but even though a lot of the days we see during this storyline are similar, it doesn’t get boring. The character development, Seraph’s development, is so interesting and important, that it doesn’t need lots of stuff to happen. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t action and exciting and gory stuff happening though. I love it.

I sat there in the dark, in the snow, and held Seraph’s hand as he cried weakly on the floor of his cage.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Former sex worker
Post apocalyptic
Wastelands
Monster/human
Raider camp
Piercings (dick included!)
Tongue job
Sounding

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Sounding
Restraint
Vomiting
Violent situation between MCs
Non-human genitalia
Parasitic infection
Graphic violence
On-page killing
Injured MCs
Explicit sexual content
Brief mentions of family death (off page, past)
Brief mention of transphobia
Mentions of cannibalism
Details of non consensual experimentation
Captivity
Mentions of past sex work

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single POV
Genre: Fantasy/monster romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 24 and 28
Pages: 462

“I thought you might want something other than raw meat.” I didn’t move—didn’t gesture at the bowls—but Seraph’s eyes all blinked unharmoniously before darting to the two bowls on the grass. That single, brief look told me a lot. He was aware. And he understood things. Human things like bowls of cooked food. He wasn’t just a mindless animal.

Rather than take the stairs, the big beastie vaulted over the side of the railing and landed with a booming thud that shook the ground. His kilt fluttered up, revealing everything, and I heard a choked, “Jesus Christ,” from one of the raiders.

“We must go celebrate.” He somehow hefted the huge man into his arms with ease and headed for the staircase at the end of the motel block. I heard Hunter chuckle. “I can walk, scratch.” “Not for long,” Edin rumbled lasciviously […]

When I just stared at him in silence, he huffed and actually rolled his eyes at me, which was a surreal thing to see on someone with so many fucking eyes.

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

“What’s got you smiling like that, beautiful? Tell me, so I can make it happen again.”

This one is a reread for me. Aside from the interesting kink and freaking hot exhibitionism, there’s some really good character development from the bitter and angry daddy who deals with the guilt of moving on after losing his husband years prior. He had no plans of ever moving on, but can’t resist his dollbaby.

I really like how the POVs are so distinct. Even if the chapters weren’t named, I’d have no problem knowing whose chapter it was. Rene is shy, stressed out, worries constantly, and in desperate need of someone to just fully take over and let him relax. All of this comes through in his entire character.

I still haven’t read another book with dollification, but I really enjoyed how it was done in this book.

4.5 stars

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Dollification
Age gap
Exhibitionism
Kink exploration
Widower
Sad boy
Hurt/comfort
Daddy kink
D/s dynamic
Instalove ish

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Exhibitionism
Past death of a husband (car accident)
Grief and feelings of guilt
Safewording ignored (not by MC)
Chronically ill parent (no details)
Power exchange

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: MC originally travels to event to meet someone else, but he’s a douchecanoe
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 22 and 45
Series: Standalone, shared universe
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 295

Rene, based on what I’d seen so far, needed someone to take charge so he could have steady ground under his feet, so he could let himself open up and bloom, so he could feel safe and secure and cared for.

He smiled, a shy, sweet one that kept getting bigger and bigger until his eyes were glowing with it. […] Sam threw his hands up in the air. “Oh my God, Rene. No! Just because it looks like a Daddy doesn’t mean it is a Daddy!”

“Rene is a delicate porcelain doll,” he told the princess. “He’s fragile and perfect and must be played with carefully and handled with respect. He’s made to be posed, and watched, and treasured.”



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.

He was charming. My lip curled.

Sigh. My dearest Moth. You are perfect. That goes for the book itself and the character. Oh, and Charlie is perfect as well. I remember my first time reading this book *so* well, because after four fantastic 5 star reads in the series, this one fucking blew me away. I was left thinking, ‘well if all those other books were 5/5, how the hell do I rate this?’. 5+ stars.

“Why does me not talking mean you have to hum the same fucking song for miles?” he snapped.

Surely I can’t be the only one thinking of Shrek and Donkey whenever Moth is annoyed about Charlie’s humming?

The plot, the character development (especially for our lovely Moth), the emotional impact and vulnerability these characters show.. man, I don’t really have the smarts or brain cells to adequately explain how much I love this, and more importantly *why*. All I can say is that the characters are beyond lovable and amazing. When you read Edin, you might not feel that excited about Charlie (or maybe you do, lol), but don’t sleep on this man. He is one of the best book boyfriends there ever was, and that is a hill I’m willing to die on.

He rolled his eyes, nose wrinkling slightly. I tried not to stare at him. He was a moody asshole, but he was a fucking beautiful one.

If you have enjoyed any of the other books at all, you will probably fall under the magical spell that is Moth just like the rest of us. Charlie is absolutely wonderful in so many ways, but there’s something extra special about Moth, and if he doesn’t make you emotional at all, you need to be checked for a pulse

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Edited with updated info and content warnings after reread.

This book was truly just a whole bunch of fun. I can't remember the last time I smiled quite as much while reading. I'm certain I looked like an absolute dork the whole way through, and I loved it.

‘Young man volunteers for a kinky pet adoption charity event in order to win over his chosen soulmate after finding out he's kinky, but accidentally chooses the wrong kink’ is definitely the recipe for so, so many good things. The steam was amazing. Deke is a virgin who's saved himself for Marshall for over 3 years. You better believe it was explosive when he finally got what he wanted.

Deke was just.. a lot, but in all the best ways. He saw Marshall, and because he just knew they were soulmates, destined to be, endgame, written in the stars, etc., of course he was relentless in his pursuit. Deke's character definitely straddles the line sometimes, but because he's a good person, and has the purest heart, you just can't get annoyed with him. He was also absolutely hilarious and said the most unintentionally unhinged things.

"Do I look fuckable enough in this?” I asked, wondering if I should pull out the kitchen shears and make the shirt into a crop top before popping over to Marshall's to check on the status of the future father of the babies I didn't plan on having. Wait, non-father? Co... unparent?

Marshall was the perfect counterbalance for Deke's unhinged-ness. He had some hang-ups from a previous relationship that made him feel not good enough for a relationship, but when he finally gave in to Deke (come on, it was inevitable), he provided the calm his kitten needed to let go of his stress.

I swallowed hard, a lump in my throat. My boy was all in, and always had been. If I ever let him down, it would be a thousand times worse than the way I'd disappointed Ryan. Hurting Deke would be unbearable.


⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Daddy kink
Pet play
Kitten play
Age gap
Neighbors
Pining
Virgin MC
Supportive parent
Bratty kitten
Spanking
Hands-free orgasms

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Pet play
Explicit sexual content
Parent and SC with chronic illness (MS)
MC almost hit by car, impact play
Sex while in ‘pet subspace’

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 21 and 40
Series: Standalone, multi-author series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 274
Happy ending: Yes

"What if Marshall isn't into slutty twinks at all?” I whined. Mom sighed. “You're doubling down on the 'slutty,' sweetie? Really? Do we need to have a talk about the no-tolerance policy toward sex shaming in this house?"

"Oh, and number four, you know I'm in love with you.” Daddy spewed out the sip of water he'd just taken. I handed him a napkin. “That wasn't actually the question. You have to know. Number four is, how long do you think it will take you to catch up and love me back?” “Deke,” he said, and then stopped, just staring at me. Good staring... probably. I squirmed. “Too much?"


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.

Sorry in advance, I had a shocking amount of highlights for this book. Couldn’t pick only a couple.

“It kills you that I’m happy. How dare I be fat and walk down the street with a smile on my face. How dare an athletic guy find me sexy. How dare he want to be my boyfriend. […]”

This book is a lot of fun, well written, hot, and also touches on some really difficult topics. I thought it was done very well. I read this one a while back, but decided to listen to the audiobook as well (I love Iggy Toma). Some of this book hit me really hard, and the themes of fatphobia/shaming can be triggering as hell. It is beautifully written though, and I love how Julian’s issues with body image doesn’t magically dissappear just because he’s getting laid or someone is showing interest in him. It’s a slow and difficult road to realizing he is worthy of being loved, both by himself and others.

I couldn’t admit that I’d needed to drink alcohol to calm my nerves last night, because agreeing to lose your virginity to someone you were secretly in love with was a very nerve-racking proposition.

Definitely a book I recommend if you’re comfortable with the topics. And while it is a book containing serious topics and emotional moments, it’s also just a delightfully entertaining rom-com.

“Here’s what we’re going to do tonight. We’re going to turn off the lights and undress in the dark. We’ll be naked together, but I won’t be able to see you. Only touch you. Taste you.” […] “The candle will be on the nightstand. If you get to a point where you feel comfortable, light it.”

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Friends to lovers
Coworkers
Older virgin MC
Bisexual awakening
Fake dating
Sexual exploration
Themes of addiction (gambling)
Dirty talk

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Fatshaming
Gambling addict MC (no relapse)
Financial issues
Internalized fatphobia
Fatshaming parent
Themes of weight, food and body image issues
Explicit sexual content
Vomiting

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: Sort of, yes.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
MC age: 30 and 34
Pages: 298

Truth was, there was something lost puppyish about Seamus even now. He was kind and loyal, without a mean bone in his body. Even if he wasn’t fit, even if his eyes weren’t impossibly blue, I’d still be hopelessly attracted to him.

“J, you do so much pining for this guy you could repopulate a forest,” Everett said.

You passed out in the bathroom. I was talking about your puking. I’ve never seen someone throw up that much, and I lived in a frathouse for two years.” Change of plans: run away screaming. “I thought your stomach was going to get ripped out of your mouth. I’m glad you’re still alive.”

I’d made a straight man moan. My face deserved to be carved onto Gay Mount Rushmore.

“Fuck yes. Dry fuck me, Seamus.” We laughed at the command. We really did sound like awkward teenagers. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of our parents walked in on us. “You like getting dry fucked? Are you a frottage slut?” I threw my head back, moaning and laughing. “Are you the star of Jim Henson’s new show Frottage Rock?” “That’s too far. You’re ruining my childhood,” I said.

Even when he had a painful dick up his ass, Julian still knew how to be eloquent and produce a beautiful metaphor. Respect.


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.

I don’t know what kind of black magic, deal-with-the-devil kind of stuff is going on with Roan Parrish’s writing, but it’s freaking magical and incredible every single time. It feels cheesy as hell to say it, but this author’s books genuinly transport me to another place. The worlds they create are *so* clear to me when reading, and The Remaking of Corbin Wale is no exception. This book is like nothing else I’ve read, and I don’t imagine I ever will. It’s a beautiful love story that feels like it’s genuinly magical, even though there are no paranormal elements to it. It’s full of patience and understanding, new beginnings and friendships. Corbin is autistic (at least I’m pretty sure about that, it’s never explicitly said but the way he is described and from what I’ve heard from other readers, I’m assuming), and Alex just accepts him as he is, and Corbin does the same for Alex. Their connection is really beautiful, and although this was my third or fourth time listening, the story never gets old. Chris Chambers also does an excellent freaking job with the narration.

I’m really sad about not having the ebook, because it is FULL of beautiful quotes. Sadly I only have the audiobook so can’t share them with y’all.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Small town
Autistic MC
Bakery owner
Lonely MC
Virgin MC
Slow burn
Strangers to friends to lovers
Sex toys
Dog parent

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Brief mentions of past parent death
Use of homophobic slur (past, high school)
References to MC being bullied in the past
Mentions of past child neglect
MC’s best friend victim of domestic abuse (detailed injuries and aftermath)
Death of family (past, MC finding them dead, detailed)
Alcohol consumption (casual)
Dissociation (MC, past and present)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: Not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 218
Happy ending: Yes






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 down below!
This book hit all the spots for me. It was a perfect blend of the sweetest romance between a ‘grumpy little shit’ and a southern sunshine, a good dousing of politics, tin foil worthy conspiracies, and a final sprinkling of family drama.

The use of several different POVs was unusual (to me), but once I had a handle on all the characters and their relation to each other, I really friggin’ enjoyed it. It was mega neat being able to see how dynamic the MCs really were, through the eyes of a whole bunch of different people, including Miss Madam President (mom), the Chief Of Staff, a White House doctor, and an FBI agent.

I also read a lot of books with a lot of smut, but this was the first book in a long time that gave me that good, tingly, butterfly-y feeling (you know the one). The MCs had insane chemistry, and the way you could just feel how much they wanted each other in the desperation when they finally got hot and bothered? chef’s kiss

Book safety! Spoilers ahead.

Spoiler

Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third act breakup: No
POV: Dual with both MCs, and also from 4 other people
Strict top/bottom or vers: Strict. One scene includes 'mild' peach play for the top

TW/CW: misogony, right-wing extremism, hospitalizations, mental health struggles (anxiety and panic attacks), kidnapping, gun violence, death of side character (not a loved one), neo-nazi ideology and rhetoric

Favorite quotes:
"Emotional support cookies, his first meal of the day, not that it counted as anything remotely nutritional. The problem with anxiety was that it led to nausea, and nausea led to not eating, and not eating led to more nausea, and that led to more anxiety. The result? Theo usually found himself sitting on the floor eating sad emotional support cookies."

"Coming face to face with Theo's wary, smoldering attitude made the situation much more alluring. He carried himself with the enigmatic wariness of a mystical being, practically elven in elegance and disdain both."

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

Is it too soon to want Spencer to stay the night? Or is it normal to get this clingy with the man who just gave me my first real taste of carnal delights? Is it lame to use the phrase ‘carnal delights’? Even in my thoughts? I feel like it is. Oh, God, I’m overthinking things.

This book is just a really sweet, low angst kink exploration romance. I think it’s done really well, and shows how someone can explore kinks and their sexuality both alone and with a partner. I know age play isn’t for everyone, but I feel like the type of kink isn’t *as* important as everything else here. It’s an important part, sure, but I feel like the self-exploration, and the building of trust with a partner in order to give the BDSM lifestyle a try should be the takeaway. It’s also just an adorable meet cute with one MC recognizing the voice of his favorite audiobook narrator, and them getting to know each other, going on cute dates, and finding what works for them. Kink-wise and in general. If you enjoy Daddy/little, BDSM, ABDL, or if you’re just curious, I think this series in general is a good place to start. Anna Sparrows has written a series that is really accessible and kink-friendly with very likable characters.

So, if you’re uncomfortable at any time, you can say ‘red light’ and we’ll stop immediately, no questions asked. And the same goes for me. If I say it, we stop.” I nod again. “Even if we’re not, um, Daddy and little boy, or whatever?” “At any time, Tony. I take consent seriously across the board.”

Consent is sexy.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Age play, kink, age gap, audiobook narrator, undiagnosed neurodivergence, strangers to lovers, found family, kink exploration, Daddy kink, older virgin (28)

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Ableism
ABDL
Wetting
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Homophobia

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual POV
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles

His big brown eyes widen comically, and I swear his jaw actually drops. “A second date?” He shakes his head and laughs, but it’s a bitter, self-deprecating sound that sets my teeth on edge. “With me?”

Book safety! Spoilers ahead.

Spoiler

Cheating: No
OM drama: Stalker/abuser, but no love triangle type drama
Third act breakup: No
POV: Dual

TW/CW: Scenes of violence, rape, reference to past child abuse (physical and sexual), self harm, suicidal ideation, panic attacks/PTSD, referenced drug use, sex work, Daddy kink/power exchange