booksafety's Reviews (586)

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

I am so (almost horribly) invested in this series and the characters. They are all put through so much in terms of trauma and I hurt for every single one of them. Especially Theo and Taz. Those poor boys just can’t catch a break.

Trauma and unhealthy obsession with fictional characters aside, I really do love this author. They did get a bit overly fancy with the sex scenes at times, so those felt a bit out of place compared to the rest of the book, but it honestly just made me giggle a couple times (words like ‘prolific’ and ‘profound’ don’t strike me as overly sexy, haha).

I love Elias and Caleb a lot. Their relationship is so solid, healthy and supportive. I just want to be adopted into their little family.

In terms of action and the plot itself, this book had a lot of heavy lifting to do to set up the final book. I loved every moment of it, but it did have the unfortunate effect of making it feel a bit filler-y. When you read the entire series as one I’m sure it would feel a bit more ‘natural’, but it’s been a while since I read book 4. That’s pretty much the only reason why I didn’t love it *as* much as the other books.

I am sooo stoked for more Beau and Teddy tho! It was exciting to see some new characters introduced to the series, setting up future books.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Established couple
Multi POV
Aggressive twink
Political thriller
Size difference
Toppy twink
Silver fox
Dads
Mental health focus
Found family
Size difference
‘Good boy’

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Anxiety and panic attacks
Explicit sexual content
On-page self harm (cutting)
Mention of past verbal and physical abuse
MC framed by government
Domestic terrorism
Brief mention of death of MC’s spouse (past)
Drinking as coping mechanism (one time, on-page intoxication)
Low self worth and suicidal ideation
Graphic violence
On-page death of bad guy
Suicidal POV character

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multi
Genre: Romantic suspense
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 26 and 38 in Illuminate the Night
Series: Series
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 304
Happy ending: Yes


“Baby doll,” Caleb whispered behind his flute, leaning in closer to be heard. “I'm feeling stabby. Tell me not to get stabby.”

Taz’ lips parted to put up a fight, but Luke gave him the Daddy look and he promptly shut his damn mouth.

“Brace yourself, Tazzy baby. I'm going to jizz my feelings all over you. It's going to be messy. Ready?” Caleb coiled his arm around Taz’ body and pulled him flush beneath the stifling pile of blankets. “I need you. We need you. You're my best friend and I'm horrifically, irrepressibly, utterly attached to your surly ass. We have a standing brunch date, for fuck’s sake. You cannot leave me hanging. Brunch is a sacred rite of the gays. You don't fuck with the brunch date.” 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Look away if you like this book.

Yeah I disliked pretty much everything about this. The hockey details were questionable at best, Maddox was an asshole masquerading as a grump, the ending was weak and no proper epilogue or HEA in sight, a college athlete who wants to go pro who smokes cigarettes on the reg, and the audio... For some unknown reason, the most upbeat, hyper, happy-go-lucky sounding narrator in the genre — Alexander Cendese — voiced the ‘grumpy’ character, and it ruined it.

I hurried outside and found Maddox reaching into his bag again. Pulling out another cigarette. “Not the night before a game,” I said to him. “You already had one. Your lung capacity will be fucked.” “Says who?” “Me.” “And you’re a doctor?”

I nearly dislocated my eyeballs after this scene from rolling my eyes so hard. Didn’t know you had to be a doctor to know smoking cigarettes is bad for your lungs.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
College
Hockey
Sports romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Hockey goalie
Size difference
Tattooed and pierced
Double virgins
Neurodivergent rep
MC with ADHD
Freckles
Sexual awakening x2
Library blowie
Secret fuckbuddies
First times

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
MC smoking cigarettes
Mentions of eating edibles
Mention of past bullying/ableism
Vomiting
Death of parent (past)
Alcohol consumption
On-page intoxication
Explicit sexual content
Panic attacks
Past physical abuse by parent (details)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Don’t remember
Main characters’ age: 20 and 20
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 285
Happy ending: Yes 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

This was so charming and heartwarming. It’s full of patience, understanding, cute animals and beautiful nature. I really really want to visit Newfoundland, lol.

The MCs were incredible, and I loved them both. I think most who read this will have a soft spot for Arthur, though. Getting to see him finally find unconditional love and understanding with someone other than his parents was really emotional. Yes, him meeting and falling in love with Trevor was a big part of that, but getting new friends as well and increasing his confidence with new things and experiences? Almost made me cry.

This is definitely my favorite book from Eve Holmes. The writing felt really polished and… settled, maybe? Seems she’s really found her voice. I’m glad I gave this a try.

There was a bit of a natural lull in the story around the 70% mark, but thankfully it picked back up again. It’s on the longer side for a romance, and it did hold my attention for most of that time.

I do have to mention the nickname Trevor uses for Arthur, tho, which is Firefox. And although the thought is cute, the metaphor and reasoning for it was really cheesy and the nickname itself made me slightly cringe every time from secondhand embarassment, lol.

Anyway. Highly recommend this!

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Neurodivergent rep
Autistic MC
Wildlife veterinarian
Wildlife photographer
Secretly built
Romantic awakening
Sexual awakening
Virgin MC
First times
Hurt/comfort
Side rep
Found family
Small town

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Anxiety
Animal treatment and conservation work
Injured animal (no death)
Detailed episodes of overstimulation
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Ableist comments from minor SC
Sensory and emotional overwhelm

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: N/A
Main characters’ age: Not specified
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 352
Happy ending: Yes


“I’ve never been interested in anyone. So…” He shrugs lightly. “I… don’t know what I am.” I step in closer to him. “You don’t have to be anything,” I say quietly. “You’re Arthur. That’s all I need.”

When he gently pulls back, I look into his amber eyes again, watching as the last light of the sun reflects in them. And the warmth inside me remains. I’ve never felt anything like this before.

“I want to be able to do things that everyone else seems to do so easily,” he says, an edge of uncertainty in his voice as his gaze stays fixed on something in the distance. “I’ve always wanted to… but it’s just easier to be on my own. So I stopped trying.”

I’ve observed this in people too. How they seem to connect with each other so effortlessly, and they just seem to know what to say and how to be, like they all speak a language I’ve never learned. They belong somewhere, with people who get them, while I’ve been left to piece things together on my own.

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

I really enjoyed the first 50% (probably less) of this one. There was lots of hurting and a good setup for an emotional romance. Sadly, it all went downhill after that.

I didn’t actually buy into a romance between these guys at all. They both thought the other was hot, but the romance was nonexistent.

However, my main issue was the entire animal sanctuary plot and how fucking terrible Eddie was at it. He’s an incredibly priviliged man who has so many people willing to help him make the sanctuary a success, including financially if he’d just ask, but instead he chooses to not tell a fucking soul that the farm is struggling, putting himself before the animals because he doesn’t want to fucking ask for help. It pissed me off. Why would you want to run a sanctuary if you’re not gonna prioritize the animals? He also, for some goddamn reason, doesn’t tell his employee turned boyfriend about it, doesn’t make any effort to use social media for help, and doesn’t want to implement any of Samuel’s suggestions of ways to bring in more money. Got no one to blame but yourself, then. Samuel barely tolerates animals either so I don’t know why these two think they can pull it off.

A strange book that felt like it didn’t go anywhere. Enjoyed book 1 way more.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Animal sanctuary
Virgin MC
First times
Disability rep
Amish MC
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Age gap
Boss/employee
Slow burn

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page physical abuse by parent (MC whipped/lashed)
Graphic violence
Injured MC
Homophobic parent (religion based)
Internalized homophobia
MC disowned/shunned on page
Homelessness
Mentions of past bullying of MC
Themes of animal suffering (off page, food industry)
MC kicking pig (lightly, cultural, one time)
Graphic details of animal abuse and neglect
Injured rescue animals (no death)
Alcohol consumption

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Almost
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 19 and 28
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 284
Happy ending: Yes


Sometimes Samuel wished he could be like the animals, expecting nothing from life except food and sunshine and another day. They didn’t have the ache of knowing what they could never have.

“No one knows what God thinks, Samuel, no matter what they say. But I believe in love and in following the purest instincts of your heart. God gave us those instincts for a reason. He wouldn’t expect a cow or a goat to act against their instincts, so it doesn’t make sense to me that we’re supposed to.”

Still, Samuel craved touch so badly he thought he might die. It didn’t even have to be sexual, just… he needed to feel like he was worthy of being held, that he was visible and real, young and alive. Not ugly. Not unlovable. Not forgotten. 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

I did not know I was capable of thoroughly disliking (hating?) a main character as much as I did Andrew, and still like the actual story. I was a spamming menace in the group chat, complaining while reading this book. I felt constantly torn between understanding Andrew’s feelings and motivations, and just wanting to yeet the whole man into the sun. His excuses were understandable for a while, but he just. kept. fucking. up. Every single time he had the opportunity to make the right choice, he did the opposite, and if there’s one thing I have zero patience for, it’s a dumb main character who chooses to hurt someone else to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.

On the other hand, we have Justin. Andrew’s former bully. You’d expect that he’s the one you’d have trouble forgiving or liking, but Justin has been working on himself for years already, and is simply a beautiful person who has been working through trauma that made him into a person he didn’t like, and that he regrets being.

Actually, I’ll post some of the messages I sent the group chat down below, that way you can really feel how angry I got, lol. I did enjoy the ending and I was happy to see the MCs together and in love, but I certainly didn’t feel that way the whole way through. Spoilers galore ahead:
(view spoiler)
A very — in my humble opinion — generous 3 stars.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Bully redemption
‘He doesn’t remember me’
Nerd/jock
Neighbors
Cat dad
Past trauma
Closeted MC
Slow burn
Secrets and lies
First times

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Details of past physical and verbal bullying of MC (by other MC and other students)
Manipulation with money
Alcohol consumption
Details of past child abuse (emotional and verbal, mild physical)
Financial abuse (MC’s parent)
Homophobic parent (past, details)
Toxic masculinity (repeating comments made by abuser, past)
Explicit sexual content
Internalized homophobia and toxic masculinity (relatively mild)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Yes, sort of
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 27 and 27
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 445
Happy ending: Yes, miraculously


There’s no simple if-then statement that can fix four years of systematic humiliation, no algorithm that can calculate the cost of learning to hate yourself before you’ve even figured out who you are.

If there was anyone I would want to be stuck in a dark pocket universe with, it would be Drew. I’ve never had this absolute craving to know everything I possibly can about someone.

His hands are trembling slightly against my skin, and that small tell of his nerves does more to turn me on than any confident touch could. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” he whispers against my mouth.

And that anger forces me to steel myself when I see the devastation on Drew’s face. Because I want to comfort him, and that betrayal cuts deeper than any other. That he’s made me love him so much that I still want to ease his hurt even while he’s breaking my heart.

Ethically, morally, I can’t take this further with Justin, can I?
NO YOU FUCKING CAN’T 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

Big yikes. I’m afraid the shine of Onley’s psychopath MCs has finally worn off. This was unfortunately very disappointing, majorly because of how unimaginative and repetitive it felt. I’ve already read this story and these characters before, you know? There was nothing new and exciting to draw me in.

Most of the book is plagued by repetitive inner dialogue, and a big chunk of it was spent making sure I never want to read Drake and Remi’s book because of how badly Drake treats Remi. It genuinely felt like The Sin Eater was there to set up that book, which isn’t totally unusual in a series of interconnected books, but usually it happens later in the book, after you have a connection with the actual main characters. That wasn’t the case here, as the romance between Payton and Boone was underwhelming at best. There was also several mentions of bedroom dynamics and activities that just never happened, which was a tease and a letdown in equal measure.

Now, about the actual plot, I feel like the author really shot herself in the foot with this one. Mild ish spoiler warning: Not only was it kinda boring and predictable, I actively rooted for the ‘villain’ and ended up seeing the MCs and most of the side characters as the yucky guys doing a corrupt government’s dirty work. When you add the fact that they reveal they have no wish or intention to graduate/do the work they are at the school to learn? Now the whole concept of the series is ruined. No idea where she could possibly take it from here to salvage it.

The sex scenes were rough and the only reminder it’s a romance. Their first ‘full’ roll in the hay felt like they were performing for hidden cameras — throwing in all of the porn clichés. It didn’t feel personal or intimate, just scripted, ticking off activities from a list. The scenes felt a bit more genuine and personal later on.

I’m being very critical, but I love a lot of Onley’s books and it’s tough when you *know* they are capable of so much more than this. It felt rushed and devoid of personality.

“The boyfriend code,” he murmured right against his ear. Payton nodded. “Yeah. Like, I’m pretty sure it falls somewhere between cheating on me and watching an episode of our favorite show behind my back?” “That’s worse than cheating on you?” Boone asked, rocking them side to side as he clung to him. Why was that so nice? “Duh. Cheating could just be about sex,” he muttered into his chest, words muffled.

I’m aware some people do feel this way, but I really don’t (not to downplay the betrayal of watching a show solo), so it was kinda off-putting, especially really late in the book.

Also, no idea why this is marketed as dark romance. It’s not.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Student/headmaster
Psychopath MC
Age gap
Androgynous MC
Silver fox
Size difference
Forbidden romance
Daddy kink
Overstimulation
Switch MCs
Face-riding
Morally gray

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Sexual harassment
Alcohol consumption
Deepfake porn made of SC
SC drugged by other SC
Throat/face-fucking
Power imbalance
Spanking
Daddy kink
Mild degradation
Injured MC
Death of minor SC
Brief mention of statutory rape (MC’s parents — 16 and 24)
Brief mention of death of parent (past)
MC drugged
Gun violence
SC shot on page — critically injured
MC and SC held hostage
Graphic violence and murder

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Vers (maybe), but no switching
Main characters’ age: 24 and mid 40s
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: For a little while
Pages: 376
Happy ending: Yes
 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

This was fun, entertaining and quick. There wasn’t really anything that stuck out to me but I did enjoy it and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next in book 2. I enjoyed all the storm action and the MCs were likeable.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Stormchasers
Opposites attract
Strangers to lovers
Forced proximity
Sunshine MC
Only one bed
Focus on consent
Scientist MC
Adrenaline junkies
Prostate orgasm
Toppy nerd

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Death of parent (past, traumatic)
Explicit sexual content
Alcohol consumption

⚠️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: Not specified
Series: Trilogy
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 190
Happy ending: HFN


When they’d said he was a wild card, I hadn’t realised they meant he was a cowboy with a death wish.

“If you’re not sure if he’s interested and you don’t know how to ask, the ‘oh no, there’s only one bed’ thing totally works.”

If sunshine was a person, it would be Tully Larson. Well, if sunshine with a side of unpredictable was a person.
 

 Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

This was pretty entertaining, sweet and hot. I’ve never read this author before but would definitely read more. I always appreciate a good vampire romance, and especially with vampire characters like this. A beautiful nonbinary person who is also very sweet, yet capable of the dark charm you often associate with vampires. Their master/slave role play was so intimate and lovely, and a first time for me. Loved it.

I do believe there’s a bit of an overarching plot going on with this series and this is the only one I’ve read. While it was noticable, it wasn’t a problem per se. I could follow the plot well enough.

Andres’ reaction to learning that Shane is trans was so beautiful. I loved the true acceptance and how they both made sure the other MC was comfortable at all times, even in situations where that was near impossible. You definitely got the feeling that these MCs were meant to be together.

His attention caught on a pair of scars that Shane’s outfit didn’t quite cover; small, light things with a hint of a crook around one of his ribs where a tattooed flower had been inked as though it was splitting from the irregular tissue. Oh. Oh. The thought was small and bright and it settled quickly into a contented warmth. His little swan had searched and found himself, the same way Andres had, and there was a beauty and bond in that Andres could find nowhere else. He was a wonder, a monument to his own godhood. Andres wanted him all the more for it.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the new-to-me narrator, Simon Dornet, did a lovely job with it.

I did wonder how the book seemed so long, but now that I’ve written this review I figured out why, as the book is 455 pages long, lol. It was never boring, but it’s a bit strange how clearly the book felt split into two distinct halves. Not in any bad way, but just a ‘before’ and ‘after’ a major happening kinda thing.

I’m definitely putting this one in the HFN column as there’s no mention of turning Shane into a vampire or how they’ll deal with one MC living forever while the other is human. For all I know that could be solved in a later interconnected book in the series, tho.

I did really enjoy how the book explores monopolizing things that people need to survive, controlling the market and making money off it. Both with Shane being diabetic and trying to afford insulin, and with the main plot of blood not being accessible for the vampires in this world. Neat to put a very contemporary problem in a paranormal setting. Neat, yet terribly depressing.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Vampire MC
Paranormal romance
Diabetic MC
Neurodivergent MC
Nonbinary vampire
Cat dads
Touch aversion
Power play
Master/slave role play
Touch-aversion
Fang play
Forced orgasms
Age gap

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption
Blood consumption
MC held captive
MC bitten against will (not by MC)
Detailed injections (insulin)
Details of nonconsensual medical experiments (SC)
MC pushing other MC twice (startled)
Explicit sexual content
Past abuse of MC (people taking liberties — grabbing, pulling, placing — because they were small)
MC kidnapped and fed on against will
Severely injured MCs
Death of MCs’ friend/family member (off page)

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Paranormal romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 25 and 34
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 455
Happy ending: Yes


“Have you never been afraid to want something before?” Shane whispered, still cupping his neck as he leaned closer. Andres’s skin felt as though it caught fire. “Every time I look at you,” he breathed.

“[…] Some people aren’t worthy of certain parts of you, and that doesn’t make you any less yourself.” 

The writing was terrible and I gave up on page 3 lol

 Ouch.
Established couple + marriage in crisis will usually have me screaming and running in the other direction, but a trusted friend said I could handle it, and Roan’s writing is hard to resist.

This book was beautiful, real, painful and somehow felt healing. When I finally started crying, I cried hard. Matty’s anxiety and fear of abandonment was palpable, and even when you’ll want to shake him and tell him that Rhys loves him and that he has nothing to worry about, you understand so well why he constantly feels like everything good will be torn away any moment.

Rhys isn’t perfect, he definitely has a bit of a hero complex and he’s a bit naive, but he is so good. He has a lot of patience and understanding, which is exactly what Matty needed. Seeing these two work through things and save + strengthen their marriage was so lovely — even though I kept blubbering.

It was also intensely romantic and erotic. Full of intimacy and possessiveness — in a ‘you belong’ kinda way — and I don’t know what kind of magic got sprinkled into these sex scenes, but oh my, it worked. There’s also a scene with virgin role play (‘I wish you were my first and only’ — dear lord), and I’ll tell you, I’m more into that than I ever thought I’d be.

I’m really sad I can’t add any quotes because, as per usual, Roan’s writing is incredible. Alas, no quotes as I listened to the audio and it’s not in KU. Greg Boudreaux did a great job narrating this. He made me feel all the feels.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Established married couple
Marriage in crisis
Past trauma
Size difference
Musician MC
Hurt/comfort
Grumpy/sunshine
‘Mine’ kink
Possessive
Somnophilia
Video call sex
Intimate & romantic
Edging
Sex toy use
Virgin role play
Hands-free orgasm
Cockwarming
Assumed small age gap

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Alcohol consumption (on-page intoxication)
Explicit sexual content
Somnophilia
Fear of abandonment
Vomiting
Disordered eating (because of anxiety)
Details of MC being bullied (past)
MC physically assaulted and injured (past)
Themes of abandonment
Themes of financial insecurity
Mention of MC’s ex/friend being a drug addict (sober during the story)
Anxiety and panic

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 25 and early to mid 30s
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: No
Pages: 249
Happy ending: Yes