mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

Liam is unsuccessfully celebrating his 21st birthday when he has two chance encounters with Jonah. Liam can sense something wrong with the situation Jonah is in and starts "hiring" him every week. They form a deep friendship, but their outside troubles pressure them to make impossible choices. 

Liam and Jonah are so heartbreakingly endearing. Liam is a bit of a loner and while he's confident in what he wants, he's not as confident in getting there. His world is forever changed when he meets Jonah. Jonah and his situation brings a clarity to Liam and his priorities, while also giving him his first true friendship. Liam's entire perspective is shifted as he confronts the darkness he's been privileged to not have to encounter, but it's worth it help Jonah. 

And sweet Jonah. Words can't express how much my heart hurts for him still. Despite, or really because of, his circumstances, he's such a strong character. He did what he had to survive, and after he does what he has to do to heal. Liam is the first person who treats him with genuine kindness and gives him hope that he isn't broken beyond repair. Their relationship isn't so much about sexual chemistry but the intimacy that true trust in another person brings. It's a story about hope, healing, and love.  

There's so much hurt but so much sweet comfort as well. It's a struggle because they're both so young and it's a really hard situation. I couldn't stop thinking that even I wouldn't know what to do. But the silver lining was their beautiful connection. 

As always, I love seeing how these characters who go through trauma and hardships recover and live out their happily ever afters. There were some parts that definitely needed the closure they got - specifically Jonah and his family. But of course I would have loved to see more of Liam and Jonah in New York, healing and loving. I'm impressed that this is a debut novel because the writing is so strong. I wouldn't have had all these feelings if it was written any other way. I'm excited to see what this author puts out next!

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort                        
• slow burn       
• strangers to friends to lovers   

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Emil moves across the country to confront his past and to try to be a better person. The first time he lays eyes on Renzo he knows he's in trouble. Emil struggles to believe he can the be the man Renzo needs, but with each moment they spend together he just can't stay away from the man who gives him so much hope for a better future. 

Emil and Renzo are just meant to be, no matter how much they try to fight it. Emil is coming to terms with why he's struggled so much to process his emotions, but I loved how he took charge of his change even if he doubted he could do it. Renzo believes in him so much that Emil has no choice but to believe in himself too. Renzo is wary of a relationship after divorcing his emotionally abusive ex, but Emil couldn't be more honest and understanding. For all that they think they don't deserve love, they both care greatly for the other and are so sweet and gentle with their new feelings. 

This book reminded me of Halo (the first in the series) where I'm invested but then after a while I get tired of the back and forth "we can't do this but I want you" and just want them to get on with it already. But also just like Halo I loved the whole cast of characters and the relationship was so sweet. Matty was the best and I loved how Renzo was able to play the caretaker role while remaining a brother and friend, knowing how important that was. I loved Dahlia and wish she didn't fall away at the end, but I also was excited to see some more Oliver and Victor. I didn't intend this to be a holiday read but it was perfect for the winter season!

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort                        
• one night stand to lovers       
• disability rep  

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Victor goes on his honeymoon alone when he catches his fiancé cheating. He stumbles into the wrong car one night and meets Oliver. Oliver can see Victor's sadness and offers to be his companion for the week he's in town. Even with a deadline hanging over their heads, they can't help the becoming besotted with one another. They from completely different worlds, but they have to decide if it's worth risking it all to take a chance on their happiness. 

There were no shortage of swoony, heart melting moments with these two. They both stole my heart from the first page. Oliver is working to make a better future for himself after a crappy upbringing and values his independence. Victor challenges him to trust in another person after so many people have let him down before. But Victor is having a bit of a mid-life crisis himself, realizing that no one in his circle likes him for who is actually is. Oliver genuinely cares for Victor and gives him the confidence to stand up for himself. They both push each other to be open and vulnerable, knowing there's a safe, loving place to land. 

I loved the beginning but as it went on it fell a little flat. The whole "we can't be together no matter how much we both want to" got tiring after a while, especially because there was no legitimate reason why they couldn't be together. I think I just expected the feels to hit harder. However, there were so many romantic moments between Oliver and Victor that I didn't mind too much. I enjoyed the book all around and had happy vibes the whole time I was reading, it just wasn't as angsty as I was expecting. I'm interested to see how the next book plays out with the characters it's set up for, I love a good redemption story and want to see Oliver and Victor being all cute and loved up. 

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort                        
• age gap      
• disability rep  

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Jack and Reece have been friends for years, but they have been secretly pining for the other the whole time. Jack wants to give his notice so he doesn't have to work directly with Reece. However when their meddling boss/friend forces them to work closely together during the lead up to Christmas, they have to face their long hidden feelings. 

This was all around a cute, heartwarming romance. Jack is a hopeless romantic who's waiting for Reece to make the move and be the leading hero Jack has always wanted. They both are holding back for different reasons, trying to be respectful of their boundaries. But honestly, I was all for it when they finally just said "fuck it" and started making out. Life seemed to always get in their way before, but what better time to finally confess all those feelings than Christmas? They're sweet together with a long friendship and many swoony dancing under the stars moments. 

I read the first two in the series last holiday season so it did take me a second to remember everyone and the dynamics. If I read these all together and had them fresh in my head it would've been better. I like the story and characters, but I'm just not a fan of the writing style. I feel like the sentence structures are almost backwards? So it just didn't flow really well for me. But give me a short and sweet holiday romance and I'm happy, plus I love the London setting. I'm not sure if I'll read the next, but we will see how next holiday season goes! 

Read if you like: 
• holiday romance                        
• workplace romance     
• friends to lovers 

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A pretty good installment in the Spires series. I liked Toby, liked Laurie, an interesting plot. My only complaint is it was a little slow at times. A character-driven plot about an unlikely couple discovering (and rediscovering) their happiness. 

•minor spoilers• 

Even though I'm a shiny and new 30, Toby - the 19 year old baby Dom - was very relatable. He's just kind of lost and trying to find his way when he doesn't have really anything to guide him. Laurie is just living day to day, not even attempting to find any happiness. Together they explore what they want from each other in their relationship and what truly makes the happy and fulfilled. I think they have really good chemistry, and even though there's ton of back and forth with very reluctant feelings, they do eventually fall together in a perfect way.

A bit of a theme in Alexis Hall books is this one grumpy brooding usually older guy who is very reluctant to open up to his feelings for their love interest, and then hurts them by being so closed off. I wouldn't have mind if it was switched up a bit. The BDSM was interesting and very light in my opinion, which was fine for me. I liked the plot and the characters but it just dragged a bit. It didn't really hold my attention, but that could just be I'm a little distracted at the moment in general. It was a good read and I look forward to the rest of the series! 

Read if you like: 
• age gap 
• light BDSM 
• opposites attract

Months after their showdown with Mikey, Hazard and Somers are still struggling to recover. When a murder happens on the college campus, Hazard and Somers are both dragged into the twisted crime. But little do they know that there's a bigger game being played, and they're just the pieces. 

If the end of this book didn't annihilate my feelings, then I would've said the most heartbreaking part was watching Hazard struggle with his mental health. He knows he's not okay but just can't move past it, and Somers doesn't know how to help him. Somers also doesn't know how to work without Hazard, struggling with his confidence at his job.  They both have a lot to work through, but together they start to make some progress. Though their relationship is tested, everything they go through only makes them stronger. They are sure and steady with their love and never let the other forget it. 

The case for this book was alright, all the typical players in Wahredua were mixed it plus a few new faces. The focus was definitely more how Hazard and Somers work together while also not working together on the force. I don't know whether to trust Somer's new partner, Dulac. If Ashe has taught me anything, it's that we don't trust anyone here! What really got me was the set up for the overall plot of this series. This book made me cry like no other at the end, I can't say anything without spoilers but it's a smaller thing that just hurts my heart and it'll take me a bit to recover. Hazard's and Somer's books always have an extra dose of trauma so I take my time during their series. I want to read the next on to just move on and get justice, but if this is just the beginning I'm a little nervous for what's to come. 

Read if you like: 
• hurt/comfort                       
• romantic suspense    
• private investigator/detective

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