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booksafety's Reviews (586)
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“I’m not sure what I am. I don’t think I care. Do I need a label? I do know that I want you. I do and yet don’t understand it, but so what?”
Barbara Elsborg is really, really good at writing crime/action stories, and I enjoyed this so much. It felt original, and kept me interested from start to finish. I finished it pretty quickly.
Barbara’s books often has one sunshine-y and chatty character and one quiet and grumpy character, and while this is still the case in this one, Julien isn’t all that grumpy. He’s kind and sweet, and trying to do good in a shit situation. I liked him a lot.
Ilya was a very entertaining and fun character. The book starts off with him experiencing a lot of abuse and trauma in forced conversion ‘therapy’, and I wish this was touched on more later in the book. That kind of trauma and abuse would presumably affect a person a lot. To be fair there isn’t all that much time for therapy left because of all the suspense and action (which I loved), but would’ve also loved to see a mention of it. Even if just a quick mention in the epilogue.
“I’ve never rolled my eyes as much as I have since I met you. It’s a wonder they’ve not fallen out.”
This author has a way of telling stories that just really works for me and I wish more people would join the Barbara fan club.
I do worry a bit about how much Ilya felt like Jonty from The Making of Jonty Bloom. With the level or snark, banter and constant jokes, there honestly isn’t a lot separating the characters in my head. I loved Jonty, but I only want Jonty to be Jonty.
A couple important side characters got off way too easy, unfortunately. I expected some consequences for their actions.
Still recommend this, though.
Ilya didn’t like being cold, didn’t like breaking anything, worried too much about things he could do nothing about, found joy when Julien couldn’t see it, saw beauty and showed it to Julien, made him see it too.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Strangers to lovers
Size difference
Unconventional heist
Sexual awakening
Age gap
Action & suspense
Humor and banter
Coming in pants
Hands-free orgasms
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Conversion therapy (on page)
Homophobic family and SCs
Use of homophobic slurs
Physical violence against MC
MC tortured - past and present (sensory deprevation, humiliation, physical, etc.)
Death of parent (past)
Alcohol consumption
MC cutting himself on page to remove object (not self harm)
Injured and ill MC (hospitalized)
Vomiting
Death of brother (traumatic, on page, past)
Gun violence
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
On-page murder of bad guy
MC drugged on page (syringe, ketamine)
Face-fucking
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Julien meets up with a lady friend (regular hookup) intending to sleep with her but does not want to and does not go through with it. This goes down before anything happens between Julien and Ilya.
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 24 and 34
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 341
Happy ending: Yes
He’d always had a tendency to pretend he was fine when he wasn’t. Pretend he didn’t need a hug when a hug was all he needed.
Now he was tempted by a mouthy skinny twink with big brown eyes who made him laugh when he thought he’d forgotten how.
“I’m not sure what I hope happens after we die, but to leave this world holding the hand of someone I loved, that would be everything. […]”
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
“I’m not sure what I am. I don’t think I care. Do I need a label? I do know that I want you. I do and yet don’t understand it, but so what?”
Barbara Elsborg is really, really good at writing crime/action stories, and I enjoyed this so much. It felt original, and kept me interested from start to finish. I finished it pretty quickly.
Barbara’s books often has one sunshine-y and chatty character and one quiet and grumpy character, and while this is still the case in this one, Julien isn’t all that grumpy. He’s kind and sweet, and trying to do good in a shit situation. I liked him a lot.
Ilya was a very entertaining and fun character. The book starts off with him experiencing a lot of abuse and trauma in forced conversion ‘therapy’, and I wish this was touched on more later in the book. That kind of trauma and abuse would presumably affect a person a lot. To be fair there isn’t all that much time for therapy left because of all the suspense and action (which I loved), but would’ve also loved to see a mention of it. Even if just a quick mention in the epilogue.
“I’ve never rolled my eyes as much as I have since I met you. It’s a wonder they’ve not fallen out.”
This author has a way of telling stories that just really works for me and I wish more people would join the Barbara fan club.
I do worry a bit about how much Ilya felt like Jonty from The Making of Jonty Bloom. With the level or snark, banter and constant jokes, there honestly isn’t a lot separating the characters in my head. I loved Jonty, but I only want Jonty to be Jonty.
A couple important side characters got off way too easy, unfortunately. I expected some consequences for their actions.
Still recommend this, though.
Ilya didn’t like being cold, didn’t like breaking anything, worried too much about things he could do nothing about, found joy when Julien couldn’t see it, saw beauty and showed it to Julien, made him see it too.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Strangers to lovers
Size difference
Unconventional heist
Sexual awakening
Age gap
Action & suspense
Humor and banter
Coming in pants
Hands-free orgasms
First times
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Conversion therapy (on page)
Homophobic family and SCs
Use of homophobic slurs
Physical violence against MC
MC tortured - past and present (sensory deprevation, humiliation, physical, etc.)
Death of parent (past)
Alcohol consumption
MC cutting himself on page to remove object (not self harm)
Injured and ill MC (hospitalized)
Vomiting
Death of brother (traumatic, on page, past)
Gun violence
Injured MC (gunshot wound)
On-page murder of bad guy
MC drugged on page (syringe, ketamine)
Face-fucking
Explicit sexual content
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Julien meets up with a lady friend (regular hookup) intending to sleep with her but does not want to and does not go through with it. This goes down before anything happens between Julien and Ilya.
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 24 and 34
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 341
Happy ending: Yes
He’d always had a tendency to pretend he was fine when he wasn’t. Pretend he didn’t need a hug when a hug was all he needed.
Now he was tempted by a mouthy skinny twink with big brown eyes who made him laugh when he thought he’d forgotten how.
“I’m not sure what I hope happens after we die, but to leave this world holding the hand of someone I loved, that would be everything. […]”
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 think these authors are for me unfortunately, although I liked the concept for this and the characters were sweet. It’s all very much surface level and nothing feels serious, even when it should be. I don’t know how to explain that.
There’s also a lot of telling instead of showing, including some scenes that I really would’ve loved to see on page, which also would’ve helped me emotionally connect with the story and characters.
I thought the idea of alpha/omega role-play was really cool and something I’ve never seen before, but they did it in every sex scene, which was unfortunate. I wanted to see *them* together as themselves too, and the point of role-play is often to spice things up by doing something different, so when it happens every time it loses its effect a bit. It was hot though.
But yeah, cute moments and an easy read so if you’re looking for that it’s not a bad choice. Just not my jam.
I generally always remove a whole-ass star if a book doesn’t have an epilogue, but this book had such a long one that I wish there wasn’t any at all, lol.
2.8 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Big boys
Tattooed MCs
Brother’s best friend
Forced proximity
Roommates
Second chance at life
Size difference
Role-play
First times
Himbo MC
Dick tattoo
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of MC being groomed by teacher while underage (past, details in prologue)
Mentions of having sex with groomer while underage (off page, past)
Wrongfully accused and imprisoned (MC, off page)
Alcohol consumption
Alpha/omega role-play
Face-fucking
Explicit sexual content
Hand-collaring/breath play
Mentions of SC being drugged (off page)
Brief mentions of SC struggling with alcohol and drugs (off page)
Physical violence (MC attacking SC)
MC detained by police
PTSD symptoms (nightmares, mild anxiety)
Branding (tattoo)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 34 and not specified
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 214
Happy ending: Yes
I try not to eavesdrop on their conversation but my brain doesn’t have the same morals as I do. That bitch is all up in their business.
I toy with the idea of getting out of bed and making us breakfast, but that would require actually getting out of bed and I’m not really about that life, so I just roll to my side and creepily watch him sleep.
I’ve thought so much about the guy I've practically planned out our entire future together. Mark my words, I am going to marry that man. I will have that man's babies and he can breed me like a prized mare.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
I don’t think these authors are for me unfortunately, although I liked the concept for this and the characters were sweet. It’s all very much surface level and nothing feels serious, even when it should be. I don’t know how to explain that.
There’s also a lot of telling instead of showing, including some scenes that I really would’ve loved to see on page, which also would’ve helped me emotionally connect with the story and characters.
I thought the idea of alpha/omega role-play was really cool and something I’ve never seen before, but they did it in every sex scene, which was unfortunate. I wanted to see *them* together as themselves too, and the point of role-play is often to spice things up by doing something different, so when it happens every time it loses its effect a bit. It was hot though.
But yeah, cute moments and an easy read so if you’re looking for that it’s not a bad choice. Just not my jam.
I generally always remove a whole-ass star if a book doesn’t have an epilogue, but this book had such a long one that I wish there wasn’t any at all, lol.
2.8 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Big boys
Tattooed MCs
Brother’s best friend
Forced proximity
Roommates
Second chance at life
Size difference
Role-play
First times
Himbo MC
Dick tattoo
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of MC being groomed by teacher while underage (past, details in prologue)
Mentions of having sex with groomer while underage (off page, past)
Wrongfully accused and imprisoned (MC, off page)
Alcohol consumption
Alpha/omega role-play
Face-fucking
Explicit sexual content
Hand-collaring/breath play
Mentions of SC being drugged (off page)
Brief mentions of SC struggling with alcohol and drugs (off page)
Physical violence (MC attacking SC)
MC detained by police
PTSD symptoms (nightmares, mild anxiety)
Branding (tattoo)
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 34 and not specified
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 214
Happy ending: Yes
I try not to eavesdrop on their conversation but my brain doesn’t have the same morals as I do. That bitch is all up in their business.
I toy with the idea of getting out of bed and making us breakfast, but that would require actually getting out of bed and I’m not really about that life, so I just roll to my side and creepily watch him sleep.
I’ve thought so much about the guy I've practically planned out our entire future together. Mark my words, I am going to marry that man. I will have that man's babies and he can breed me like a prized mare.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Christ on a stick. This one started out cute and even pulled on my heartstrings a little, but boy did that change quickly. I don’t know how but it turned into a bit of a snoozefest.
The ‘old’ MC is 51, not 90 like he would have you believe by the way he talks and thinks. You’d think he had one foot in the grave.
There’s so many side characters that you can’t possibly keep up, even if you’ve actually read the other books. I’ve read all but one of the main series this is connected to, and I was more lost than a drunk sailor.
I’m all for ‘love after loss’ stories. I actually love them. But in this one, it felt like the new guy would never measure up to the dead wife, and that she would always be ‘the one’.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Love after loss
Widower
Age gap
Daddy kink
Low angst
Friend’s dad
Silver fox
Hairdresser MC
Size difference
Single father (adult child)
Bisexual awakening
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Grief
Explicit sexual content
Recounting story of gay student committing suicide due to bullying and homophobic family (past, some details)
Side character with homophobic family (mostly past)
⚠️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: 35 and 51
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 257
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
Christ on a stick. This one started out cute and even pulled on my heartstrings a little, but boy did that change quickly. I don’t know how but it turned into a bit of a snoozefest.
The ‘old’ MC is 51, not 90 like he would have you believe by the way he talks and thinks. You’d think he had one foot in the grave.
There’s so many side characters that you can’t possibly keep up, even if you’ve actually read the other books. I’ve read all but one of the main series this is connected to, and I was more lost than a drunk sailor.
I’m all for ‘love after loss’ stories. I actually love them. But in this one, it felt like the new guy would never measure up to the dead wife, and that she would always be ‘the one’.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Love after loss
Widower
Age gap
Daddy kink
Low angst
Friend’s dad
Silver fox
Hairdresser MC
Size difference
Single father (adult child)
Bisexual awakening
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Grief
Explicit sexual content
Recounting story of gay student committing suicide due to bullying and homophobic family (past, some details)
Side character with homophobic family (mostly past)
⚠️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: 35 and 51
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 257
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, content warnings, and tropes down below.
How is he real? How can someone be sweetness and sunshine, and filthy and badass all at the same time?
Let me start by saying that I absolutely love this concept. I was immediately sold from the blurb alone and feel lucky to have gotten an ARC. Ultimately I do think the book needed to be longer? There’s a lot of great potential, but there were a couple of things I wish had been explored more. And y’all know I’m a low angst girlie through and through, but I think this situation needed some. I think Logan is an awesome, forgiving and understanding character and I wouldn’t want to take that away from him in any way, but trust was broken in a pretty bad way, and I wanted to see that rebuilt, and preferably some groveling. By the end it felt forgotten about. Admittedly I’m not what you would call a forgiving person, lol.
I did love Logan and Jared together and they had really good chemistry from the start. The way their snuggles and hugs were described gave me the warm and fuzzies, and the spice gave me the warm and… well, let’s just say that Linden Bell can write sex. I think I would say one of the very best at it.
For the action and suspense parts, I was thoroughly entertained. This is a new direction for the author as far as I know, and I really do hope they keep writing suspense as it’s my favorite genre, and I adore Linden’s writing. I will say (while trying not to spoil anything), that the explanation for why ‘shit went down’ near the end wasn’t good enough to really sell it for me.
Would’ve loved a longer epilogue, but I was really happy to see Logan’s golden retriever himbo energy back in full swing. Again, Linden is awesome, the premise is really original, and I wish it was longer to really bring it all home.
I’ll be crossing my fingers for more romantic suspense from this author.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
FBI agent
Hookup to lovers
Romantic suspense
Himbo
Golden retriever MC
Secret identity
Grumpy/sunshine
Dirty talk
C*ck + fingers
Felching
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Gun violence
Alcohol consumption (clubbing with friends - Intoxicated)
MCs kidnapped on page
Mentions of the death of a SC’s child (gun violence, past, off page)
Graphic violence
MCs beaten up and injured
Severely injured MC (gunshot wound, on page)
MC hospitalized
On-page murder
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 28 and 33
Series: Interconnected standalone, shared universe
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 217
“Every cut, every bruise, every scar. I want to kiss each one and make them mine. I’ll chase away every ounce of hurt, every inch of pain, until you’re whole again.”
I’m not some strapping hero. I’m not John Wick or Jack Reacher or James Bond. I’m just a lowly juice bar barista.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
How is he real? How can someone be sweetness and sunshine, and filthy and badass all at the same time?
Let me start by saying that I absolutely love this concept. I was immediately sold from the blurb alone and feel lucky to have gotten an ARC. Ultimately I do think the book needed to be longer? There’s a lot of great potential, but there were a couple of things I wish had been explored more. And y’all know I’m a low angst girlie through and through, but I think this situation needed some. I think Logan is an awesome, forgiving and understanding character and I wouldn’t want to take that away from him in any way, but trust was broken in a pretty bad way, and I wanted to see that rebuilt, and preferably some groveling. By the end it felt forgotten about. Admittedly I’m not what you would call a forgiving person, lol.
I did love Logan and Jared together and they had really good chemistry from the start. The way their snuggles and hugs were described gave me the warm and fuzzies, and the spice gave me the warm and… well, let’s just say that Linden Bell can write sex. I think I would say one of the very best at it.
For the action and suspense parts, I was thoroughly entertained. This is a new direction for the author as far as I know, and I really do hope they keep writing suspense as it’s my favorite genre, and I adore Linden’s writing. I will say (while trying not to spoil anything), that the explanation for why ‘shit went down’ near the end wasn’t good enough to really sell it for me.
Would’ve loved a longer epilogue, but I was really happy to see Logan’s golden retriever himbo energy back in full swing. Again, Linden is awesome, the premise is really original, and I wish it was longer to really bring it all home.
I’ll be crossing my fingers for more romantic suspense from this author.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
FBI agent
Hookup to lovers
Romantic suspense
Himbo
Golden retriever MC
Secret identity
Grumpy/sunshine
Dirty talk
C*ck + fingers
Felching
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Gun violence
Alcohol consumption (clubbing with friends - Intoxicated)
MCs kidnapped on page
Mentions of the death of a SC’s child (gun violence, past, off page)
Graphic violence
MCs beaten up and injured
Severely injured MC (gunshot wound, on page)
MC hospitalized
On-page murder
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 28 and 33
Series: Interconnected standalone, shared universe
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 217
“Every cut, every bruise, every scar. I want to kiss each one and make them mine. I’ll chase away every ounce of hurt, every inch of pain, until you’re whole again.”
I’m not some strapping hero. I’m not John Wick or Jack Reacher or James Bond. I’m just a lowly juice bar barista.
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.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, his eyes dazed. “I think I’ll die if you don’t.”
Although I’m starting to think christmas books just isn’t my thing, N.R. Walker strikes again with the holiday charm. This book really was super sweet and filthy hot. It’s also always refreshing to read books where the characters are intelligent, mature and good at communicating their needs and wants.
It wasn’t the most memorable book, but a good time was had, and Glen Lloyd did well with the audiobook as per usual.
Side note: the scenes I remember most of are the sex scenes, which never happens. First-time prostate orgasm that leaves the MC a shaking and twitching mess after? More, please.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Firefighter MC
Small town
Holiday romance
Doctor MC
Canadian x American
Vocal in bed
Dominant top
Dirty talk
Pulling hair
Prostate orgasm
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of fighting fires
Explicit sexual content
Brief mention of death of parent (past, cancer)
SCs house burns down
⚠️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: 36 and 28
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 288
Happy ending: Yes
I wanted someone to hang out with, to cook with, to cuddle on the couch with. Sure, intimacy and sex would be awesome, but honestly, the intimacy of doing everyday things together, of sharing my life with someone, that was what I wanted.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
“Can I kiss you?” he asked, his eyes dazed. “I think I’ll die if you don’t.”
Although I’m starting to think christmas books just isn’t my thing, N.R. Walker strikes again with the holiday charm. This book really was super sweet and filthy hot. It’s also always refreshing to read books where the characters are intelligent, mature and good at communicating their needs and wants.
It wasn’t the most memorable book, but a good time was had, and Glen Lloyd did well with the audiobook as per usual.
Side note: the scenes I remember most of are the sex scenes, which never happens. First-time prostate orgasm that leaves the MC a shaking and twitching mess after? More, please.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Firefighter MC
Small town
Holiday romance
Doctor MC
Canadian x American
Vocal in bed
Dominant top
Dirty talk
Pulling hair
Prostate orgasm
Found family
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of fighting fires
Explicit sexual content
Brief mention of death of parent (past, cancer)
SCs house burns down
⚠️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: 36 and 28
Series: Interconnected series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 288
Happy ending: Yes
I wanted someone to hang out with, to cook with, to cuddle on the couch with. Sure, intimacy and sex would be awesome, but honestly, the intimacy of doing everyday things together, of sharing my life with someone, that was what I wanted.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?igsh=MWZ3azhkdDc2Y2ludg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Felt unserious. Was supposed to be heavy on grief and sadness but didn’t make me feel anything at all. And the MC neglected his dog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent