mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

I'm not going to lie, I wasn't really feeling this when I first started. But from around 40% on I was pretty invested and I liked how it all turned out for these two! 

Quinton and Oakley have been hockey rivals for basically their entire careers, even though they play on the same college team. They have clashing personalities and tension. Through a series of events, they start a good luck superstitious fuck buddy relationship, and as always feelings soon get involved when they realize they aren't so different. 

Once they finally gave into their feelings more (ahem, Oakley), I really loved their dynamic. They both found kindred spirits in one another despite the fact that they had such different personalities. Their emotional connection was built in the small moments they had with each other - socks, ice skating (not hockey), and Ferris wheel. It was more of a slow emotional burn, but when they let go of the animosity they fell into their relationship pretty quickly. 

I didn't love everything that happened in the beginning and it did take me a second to get into it. But I loved them as a couple and the second half was really good. Lots of spicy scenes, but I thought they were written pretty well and incorporated a lot of their vulnerabilities. 

I'm excited to see how the rest of the stories play out for this group of guys. We get just enough of the side characters to be a little intrigued, and I'm definitely going straight to Holden's story after this!

Read if you like: 
• rivals to lovers 
• hockey 
• opposites attract

North has always assumed his teammate Malcolm hates him, but when they catch each other in comprising positions - everything changes. North is drawn into Mal's world of pleasure, possession, and the good type of pain. When North wants more than Mal can give him, he makes it his mission to crack his cold facade. All the while Mal tries his hardest to keep his emotions closed off and not let North see the real him. 

Mal and North are so dang cute together, the perfect grumpy/sunshine couple. Mal has his issues with his family which makes him cold and standoffish, but North's sunny, charming personality is his kryptonite. He's obsessed over North from afar but when he finally has his chance with him, Mal is still wary to let him in. North has a good simple life, but when Mal shows him exactly what he's been missing he knows he'll do anything to keep him and their relationship. He doesn't have to worry too much though because Mal is such a simp for North. North slowly works his way through all of Mal's walls and proves to Mal that he's worthy of love. While their chemistry is amazing, there are so many fun and sweet moments between them too. 

I read this as one long book, which actually worked really well given the length. Even though it's a set of erotica novellas it wasn't overpowered by the spice and there was some actual plot happening. I just really loved these characters, and the character art done by the author is so perfect! Looking forward to reading more by Arden Long. 

Read if you like: 
• BDSM erotica novellas                       
• grumpy/sunshine   
• sexual awakening   

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Isaac and Lane were 14 when their parents married. They hit it off and were best friends, but as Isaac figured out his sexuality he realized his feelings towards Lane weren't just a platonic love. A decade later, Lane comes back to Atlanta to repair their relationship after he and Isaac drifted apart after high school, but stumbles upon his own feelings. They have to make a choice between disappointing and losing their family, or finally giving into love. 

Oh poor Isaac, the pining! He's been in love with Lane since the start, and Lane had no clue - which made for a very interesting start. I loved them together, especially after seeing Lane with his ex. Despite being so different Isaac loves Lane exactly as he is and doesn't try to change him or complain about his oddities. Lane is the only person who truly understands Isaac and was there for him growing up. They have such a deep emotional connection that when they finally get together, it's some steamy chemistry. Despite the challenges they face, they stay strong in their love. 

This book is similar to the other in the series (Off Limits), as the characters have to choose between hurting their family and their love for one another. Even though I rated them the same I liked this plot a little better. It read really similarly though, where I was hooked in the beginning but the ending fell a little flat in comparison. That being said I did enjoy these as a good, shorter audiobook reread. A little angst, a little drama, but nothing too heavy. Having  read a good amount by the author, I would rate the series as mid Riley Hart books.

Read if you like: 
• forbidden romance - stepbrothers                      
• friends to lovers   
• opposites attract 

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