Malcolm is aaalll the adorkableness that I could want. He’s awkward and sweet and caring and smart. He can be stuffy and old fashioned in his speech but he throws himself full bodied in things that interest him. Including Jett.

Jett may be an athlete and not as academic as Malcolm but he works hard for what he wants, for his future. He’s also got a good head on his shoulders, one that recognizes what a good thing he’s found in Malcolm.

These two shouldn’t work together but they do. They listen and open up to each other and they are willing to put everything on the line when they have to. I just … *sigh* love them together. It may have started out as research, morphed into something a little more intimate but soon it turned into something even more. Timing may not be on their side tho.

I adore Hayes’s books. I enjoy the sweetness mixed with heat, characters that just have me from the first page, and a HEA that never disappoints. I need more from her, and this series, as soon as I can get it.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Travis and Isaiah’s relationship starts as a one night stand, but one neither can forget. I appreciate that Travis gathers his courage and is willing to face Isaiah again without knowing how he’ll be received. That takes guts. Luckily Isaiah is open to giving their connection a chance and there’s no looking back.

Isaiah may be young but he’s got a good head on his shoulders. And he sees beneath the surface to the man that Travis doesn’t let very many see. He works hard to bring that person out, to support Travis as he looks to the future and how he can make changes to embrace a future he wasn’t sure that he could have.

Novellas have their good points but they have a lot going against them too. To develop a relationship between characters you either have to have time jumps, which usually means that their are interactions that we wish we’d seen, or you have to go the insta-love route. Which is what we get here. Personally I don’t mind it in a short story, knowing that there are so few pages to work with, but it isn’t going to be everyone’s thing.

Hot Rucking Canadian is steamy but with moments of sweetness as Isaiah helps Travis figure out that there’s more than what’s on the outside and that his past doesn’t have to dictate his future.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

I am pretty dang impressed with this as the author’s debut novel. It was fun, with an interesting take on her characters getting to know each other. I loved the way they threw themselves into the teen selves and spent time getting to know each other better. An interesting mix of YA and adult contemporary, with the way they enjoyed all of the teen activities but with the outlook that age brings.

It’s fantastic the way that Maddy is able to take her adult perspective (and later her teen experiences as an adult again) and really accept her quirkiness. With Nate’s help she embraces who she is and thrives. And speaking of Nate … such a fabulous friend and then boyfriend. He’s supportive, caring, and oh-so-sweet, embracing all the things that make Maddy unique.

I will say that if I thought too much about it there were things that bothered me. Like, even tho their minds were 30 something, the first half of the book their bodies were those of teens. And while I totally got behind their connection, their physical attraction was a bit … I mean they are mentally grown adults finding themselves attracted to teens. They didn’t really act on it past kissing but … yeah. And no one else caught on that they were different? Friends, family? Also, the reason for the time travel wasn’t explored either. While it didn’t bother me, it seems to be an issue for some.

Overall tho great first outing! Entertaining plot and enjoyable characters, with a HEA journey that tickled me. I’m definitely looking forward to what comes next (fingers crossed it’s Cooper and Liam :))

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Often in these kinds of stories the suspense part is what brings the couple together and I always think of the beginning of Speed 2 when Annie says that “relationships based on extreme circumstances never work out” :)  Here Rory and Gage develop a friendship over weeks of him coming to her rescue to help out so there was a good basis for their interactions and their deepening feelings. But both have some insecurities that they need to work out and time spent together figuring out what’s going on allows them to come to terms with them.

I did feel like A LOT happened to poor Rory in a short amount of time but everything worked for me. I liked the villain, the reasons why, and how it all played out. Nothing seemed to be a stretch and I liked the way the guys worked together to keep her safe & figure out what was going on.

I had two things going into this – it’d been a while since I’d read a romantic suspense and this is the first story I’ve read by Cobie … and I think I need more of both! I feel like she blended the romance element and the suspense portion well, giving each the necessary time & attention. This seems to be her thing so I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Cobie and picking up more of her books.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

The premise of Trick or Treat is absurdly fun. I mean the main character turns into a pumpkin during the day and back into a man at night and he only has a few days to find his mate or he’s a gourd forever. It’s quirky and weird and humorous. (I mean his … ya know … smells and tastes like pumpkin spice, for goodness sake.)

There are a couple of problematic moments – from homophobia & slurs to questionable spicy moments – but it’s a novella with a plotline that kinda necessitates an insta-love thing and once they give in to their connection things heat up pretty quickly. I like them together and I feel like they are a good match. I also found the resolution to be entertaining.

You pretty much have to throw any believability out the window with a story like this but that’s ok. It’s meant to be fun and weird and steamy and … well, fun.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Glitter is so sweet and not very long, but please make sure you check out the content warnings. Parts of it were very tough to read and my heart just broke for Blue. But there were great parts too – like the connection with Henry and with Blue’s friends, the sauciness of Sir Cattus, and the satisfaction when things work out in the end.

Blue hasn’t had it easy. Obviously gay from a young age, he’s grown into a man with confidence and his own unique style. But that hasn’t stopped the bullying, which is just so difficult to imagine. Luckily it also attracts Henry’s attention. Henry who is super smart and super into everything that makes Blue Blue. I loved the way his brain works and the way that he throws himself full body into helping Blue, wooing Blue. It’s so sweet to see.

There’s fluff and steam and insta-love in Glitter but also heartache and hurt. And I enjoyed every last moment of it.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

I didn’t love this one QUITE as much as I did Hit Me With Your Best Shot, but it was definitely a fun read. Luca is a good boyfriend – supportive and loving of Nova’s every messy inch. He’s emotionally solid and seems to have his life together. Except he doesn’t have someone to be with.

Nova is unabashedly loud and, well, a lot. She’s struggled to find someone that accepts all of her. Until she meets Luca. Someone she should not be getting involved with.

I enjoyed these two together – their flirty texts and unconventional dates. There were times when I actually laughed out loud at their antics. I wasn’t 100% behind the resolution to their issues, and really feel like Nova needed to step up a little more, but I really liked their romance. It ends in just as amusing a way as it started :)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

*minor spoilers*

Oh Carter *sigh* I just want to give him a hug. His younger years as a pro skier had many positives, but it also left him at a disadvantage at people-ing. Add that he’s spent a year by himself, giving his all into figuring out how to save the ski resort, and by extension the town, well … it means that he doesn’t have the best reputation with the locals. And that he’s carrying all sorts of stress on his own. Until he meets Sloan.

I like Sloan. He’s a stand-up guy, hardworking and big hearted. He’s compassionate, giving, & loyal and just what Carter needs. He’s able to help Carter set down some of his burden, ask for help where he needs it, and open up to others. Together they are just the sweetest and I couldn’t get enough of them together.

For me, third act breakups can be an obvious choice but Lenard’s work. This one just about broke my heart but I appreciate where they were both coming from and why things went the way they did. And I really like how it all gets resolved.

I am really enjoying Lenard’s books. She delivers relatable characters, interesting story lines, and a good mix of heat & heart. Her Adrenalin series so far has been feel good, lower angst, and charming. It’s got a lovely found family, small town charm and satisfying HEAs.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

I loved this one sooo much – the unconventional farm animals, the way Dean can’t say no to Preston & how he calls him Doc, the way everyone on the farm supports each other. It’s just ALL the sweetness and I couldn’t get enough.

There is a little drama with Preston’s past that was unexpected but it works. Leading to a few extra heartwarming moments for our guys. Not that they need any help! Their friendship developing into something more is *sigh*

Jackson’s newest is a slow-burn, small town romance with all the feels and quirkiness I could want. Like her Love in Play series, it’s not going to be for everyone. But I’m here for every fluffy, feel good moment and I am ready for the next book. Gimme, gimme now!

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Mason is struggling after the end of his military career but finds a purpose in protecting an old schoolmate. Even if he is hostile and unwilling to accept Mason’s help, or take the threat to his safety seriously. I liked how patient Mason is with Kai at the beginning and how the tables turn in the second half. I think that they are a good match – Mason taking care of Kai and Kai boosting up Mason. It’s super sweet. And steamy too :)

I did have a few issues. I felt like Kai forgave Mason a bit too quickly for the way he was in high school, which could have been better explored. And considering some of the things that happened in the Marines I was also a bit surprised at Mason’s “bi-awakening”. The bad guy also seemed a bit far fetched, a little too convenient – good romance with a bit of suspense but not necessarily a good romantic suspense story.

Overall, tho, I did enjoy their stories purely on Kai and Mason today. The way they are forced to spend time together, getting to know the men they have become. I also liked the way the suspense element was well paced and woven smoothly into their romance. With the fun epilogue I’m gonna be looking for the next book.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**