I love EM Lindsey's characters, so it is perhaps no surprise that Lindsey was able to make me believe in this warm story, to where the instalove aspecI love EM Lindsey's characters, so it is perhaps no surprise that Lindsey was able to make me believe in this warm story, to where the instalove aspect felt natural. Novelist Harley James has faced a series of near-crushing blows: his fiance broke up with him and is marrying their couples therapist, in the wedding Harley had planned. (Saves on the deposits, you know.) His beloved father died exactly a year ago, and on that anniversary, he's missing his one support person more than ever. At a book event, a fan asks him deeply personal sex questions, and when he refuses to answer, his agent belittles and threatens him. Then he punches the agent.
Harley runs, helped by his marginally friendly brother, to a dude ranch getaway hotel. All he wants is to lick his wounds in private, maybe get some words on paper, and figure out his life.
Claude owns the hotel. Christmas is their slow season, so he's juggling a few duties. He's been paraplegic since a fall when hiking, which eventually was the rock that broke his relationship with his fiance. Her cheating felt more like a deliberate escape, and he only misses her occasionally now. He gets by okay, sometimes on his feet with his orthotics, sometimes in a chair when his body doesn't cooperate. But he enjoys his own competence and running the place.
When his masseur falls and breaks his arm, Claude has to suddenly cancel the guests' appointments. Except, when he heads to tell the first guest, already on the table under a towel, that the massage isn't happening, he's caught with a burst of empathy. This guy really needs some knots worked out. And while Claude isn't a pro, he's good enough with his hands to do the job, and his legs are cooperating to keep him upright. So he gives Harley a massage, and it's an episode of caring touch both men have gone far too long without.
The thing that makes this work, IMO, is that both men have such bad experiences with their exes. The contrast between what they were told was love, and a really warm, caring relationship, is so stark they fall fast and hard. The disability rep as always is worked in as just part of the story, not the main issue or a source of big angst. I enjoyed this one. ...more
This is one of my favorites so far of this year's Holiday-ish stories. The focus here is only tangentially on the holiday, as tree-care-specialist JoeThis is one of my favorites so far of this year's Holiday-ish stories. The focus here is only tangentially on the holiday, as tree-care-specialist Joe, and mechanic Austin, are brought together when an eccentric old lady who liked them both leaves them each half ownership of her big house.
Austin was a foster kid and he's built a car-repair business that manages to stay solvent, while he lives above it. He's proud of what he's accomplished, but has been very alone. Joe comes from a big, well-off Italian family, but he's also proud of the tree-trimming and landscaping business he's created. But neither one is well off, so this gift landing in their laps is a bit awkward.
The house is large, and full to the borderline-hoarding level. They could sell, but would get less than it's really worth. And secretly, the reader can tell each man is looking for a home. So they agree to both work on the place, clearing and fixing, and then sell when it's worth more.
Except Joe is a big-brother-dad to a quartet of local teens whom he's supported as additional (and in some cases only supporting) family since he was their swim instructor. Austin's soft heart can't help adopting an injured dog and a trio of kittens. As they cram all this found family into the house at times, working together and teasing and sharing difficult times, they are creating something they'll find hard to walk away from.
It doesn't help that they also find each other really hot, and fun, and kind. They compliment each other's strengths and weaknesses. The old lady wasn't wrong, bringing them together. Except Austin's past has led him to believe it's safer to be solitary. And Joe's ex did a number on his self-confidence. Saying "hey, want to date for real?" isn't as easy as it should be.
The real strength of this book (whose "just talk to each other goddammit" vibe normally is not my jam) lies in the wonderful interactions of characters, the teens who are sometimes helpful and sometimes trouble, the little and big life stresses that come along, and the two MCs - men who, under their insecurities, love without asking for return. These two are such good guys, you have to cheer for them, (while occasionally agreeing with the gaggle of teens.) ...more
This is a slow burn romance between a hockey coach still grieving the loss of his wife and daughter six years before, and the goalie on his PHL minor This is a slow burn romance between a hockey coach still grieving the loss of his wife and daughter six years before, and the goalie on his PHL minor league team. Both men have believed they were straight, so the attraction comes gradually, but there is no internalized homophobia or fighting against the same-sex element. Drew, the coach, hesitates over letting all the emotions he had for his wife, that he thought would always be tied up in her, reach for someone new. He still goes to a grief and loss group and his whole life for six years has been his work. Miguel, the player, has moments of wondering about the dynamics of coach and player, as he still hopes to move up to the top league.
This could have been very angsty, with a lot of external and internal conflict, but instead, it's a slow journey of discovery and awakening, with some poignancy. The language is lush, the story very much centered in the romance element. There is hockey action in the background, and occasionally it takes center stage, but this is pretty narrowly focused on the main characters.
Miguel's mom is Puerto Rican, his dad is Dominican, and I really enjoyed the Hispanic flavor in language and food that flowed through the story. Miguel's heritage wasn't a plot point, but an element that added richness to the story.
In this world, there are out gay hockey players, so the risk of being outed, while concerning because of the apparent power imbalance, isn't as powerful as if they were at risk of being the first. The result is a story that I have shelved as a comfort-reread. ...more
This was one of the first new Holiday offerings I've read this year, and it was a warm sweet hug of a story when I needed one. There's no big angst heThis was one of the first new Holiday offerings I've read this year, and it was a warm sweet hug of a story when I needed one. There's no big angst here, and no dramatic plot, just a man who has always secretly loved his straight best friend, and that best friend now realizing he's not so straight. But the last thing Ashby wants is to be Kieran's gay experiment. I always connect with this author's characters, even in something as simple as this little novella, and it's also just $0.99. ...more
I'm a fan of this author's baseball romances and this is another excellent one. Eitan was a star player on a mediocre Cleveland team when his refusal I'm a fan of this author's baseball romances and this is another excellent one. Eitan was a star player on a mediocre Cleveland team when his refusal to participate in a prayer night with a homophobic church sponsor, right after Pride Night, put him on the hot seat. He didn't deny he was some version of queer, and his team made its assumptions and traded him to New York as a "difficult" player.
Eitan isn't really sure what he is, although his failure to really enjoy time with his ex-girlfriend suggests "straight" is wrong. He's been gradually backing into self-identification, but when the teams shine that bright light on him, Eitan squares his shoulders and decides to just go for it. He doesn't say "gay" but he doesn't deny it, and when the team offers to pay for a fake girlfriend, he asks his agent instead to find him a fake boyfriend. Someone who would be paid to endure the hassles of being partnered with the first sort-of-out guy in baseball.
Then, while interviewing candidates for that position, a man walks in, stares at Eitan, and walks back out. Eitan sprints after him because that was Akiva, the hottest (in both senses) minor league pitcher Eitan ever played with. A man who quit without explanation and vanished from the scene. Also, a man Eitan spent too much time thinking about, in ways that veered off the platonic. If he has to have a fake BF in public, who better than a man who also loves books, baseball, and is Jewish? Who better than Akiva, whom Eitan definitely won't hate kissing for the cameras?
Akiva isn't sure this is even close to a good idea. He's gay, knew it back then, and left baseball because, between being queer and being a very observant Jew, he felt out of place and isolated in the baseball world. And Eitan was the guy Akiva came to the ballfield early to watch running topless around the outfield before practice.
But Akiva is really hard up for money - his job as personal assistant and beta reader cum ghost writer for a romance novelist doesn't touch the debt he got into when he abruptly broke his contract. And Eitan is offering a lot of money. Akiva's done modeling before. This isn't that different. Plus he still has a hard time saying no to Eitan's big brown eyes, fixed on his in appeal. Not to mention, if someone is trying to force baseball to accept its queer players? Akiva is happy to be part of that.
So they begin fake dating, but from the start there's a very real core to their relationship. Except Akiva needs the money, and that keeps them from being "real", and Eitan is still unsure about what he can ask for. His wealth comes between them. Eitan could solve Akiva's problems with one stoke of his pen on a check, but if he tried, Akiva would freeze him out and disappear from his life.
This is slow burn, self-discovery, coming out in a hostile environment, with the added bonus of an observant (somewhere between Orthodox and Conservative) Jewish MC. I loved all of those elements, and the way they came together. Eitan was sweet and well-meaning and a bit lost and yet an optimist. Akiva naturally needed to protect himself, after years of hurt. The baseball game content was low in this one - we don't see Eitan on the field very often. But the baseball world was a powerful backdrop for the story.
I enjoy sports romances in general, and especially love ones that go beyond the standard tropes to give me more. This is one of the good ones....more
Hockey player Marek and MMA fighter Carson have three things in common. They're both recovering from a traumatic head injury, they are both athletes wHockey player Marek and MMA fighter Carson have three things in common. They're both recovering from a traumatic head injury, they are both athletes wondering when and how they'll be able to resume climbing the ranks in their sports, and they're both attracted to men. Those commonalities bring them together. The concussions and symptoms don't make it easy, though.
Nor does Marek's shaky relationship with his father or Carson's issues with a fight organization reluctant to cover his medical bills.
I liked both these guys and the realistic challenges they faced. I appreciated that concussions made sex something they had to wait for, that their recoveries were a work in progress, that therapy was part of the package. And I liked the ending that didn't wrap things into too perfect of a bow....more
I read the ebook (not sure why I can't find it here on GR) rather than the audio. ETA located for me - see first comment for the link. Review moved toI read the ebook (not sure why I can't find it here on GR) rather than the audio. ETA located for me - see first comment for the link. Review moved to the ebook.
Jake made a mistake in an MMA fight - he's a very big guy, he overused his strength and size, and badly injured the friend he was competing against. If they'd been unlucky, he might have killed Carson (an MC in the previous book.) Carson has made it through his rehab, and now runs a fight gym, but he's never going to compete again and Jake can't forgive himself. He quit competing too, and is working as an instructor, still fighting bad days of body image and self-distrust and regrets.
Then Carson's boyfriend Marek, a PHL hockey player, suggests his teammate Ethan should get fight coaching. Naturally he suggests his boyfriend's gym. And that throws Ethan and Jake together.
Ethan had one hockey fight so humiliating he'd do anything to never fight that badly again. But training with a guy who has Ethan breathless is a whole other challenge. Jake isn't out as gay, although he's clearly fine around Carson and Marek, so he's not homophobic. But Ethan's there to learn, not to drool.
I liked these two guys together. Jake's issues felt real, and he was in therapy and addressing them. Ethan was cute. The MMA fight elements of the story went past my vocabulary, but were easy to make out in context. And the outcome was satisfying. ...more
I'm a big fan of Lisa Henry's writing. Her books with Sarah Honey tend to be lighter and more romcom than my usual tastes, but I couldn't resist, and I'm a big fan of Lisa Henry's writing. Her books with Sarah Honey tend to be lighter and more romcom than my usual tastes, but I couldn't resist, and this one is sweet and warm, fun, with some absurdities (the goose) but not so many it strains my acceptance. Danny Hall is a solid, admirable, small-town guy, his grandmother is wonderful, and Miller's position as a small-town lawyer dreaming of bigger things created the right level of romantic tension.
Plus, the guys in Danny's house and their found family made me look forward to the next Goose Run book. And I'll probably reread this one someday....more
This book opens with drama, as omega Prince Lashar, on his way to an arranged marriage with an alpha prince of the neighboring (and conquering) kingdoThis book opens with drama, as omega Prince Lashar, on his way to an arranged marriage with an alpha prince of the neighboring (and conquering) kingdom to cement an alliance, finds his retinue attacked. He escapes the ambush but loses his friends, and is then captured hiding in the forest by his fiance's party, under suspicion of having ambushed their envoys.
Further mayhem ends up with Lashar and his betrothed Prince Ardan pushed together, trying to survive and salvage the alliance between their nations.
There was a lot of story here for the length of the book. I enjoyed the read, which is somewhat instalove, not the potential enemies to lovers in any sense. There isn't room to explore possible complexities between these two men, but what there is was fun, with some heat and some action plot. ...more
Cute and sweet as our MC Jase, after being dumped, meets his new neighbor Robin, a man he finds himself falling for quickly. Two problems - he's not sCute and sweet as our MC Jase, after being dumped, meets his new neighbor Robin, a man he finds himself falling for quickly. Two problems - he's not sure how Robin feels about him - Robin is friendly and warm but nothing more. And their other neighbor, Lyle, is clearly also interested in Robin and seems to have himself much more together than Jase does. Lyle is smart, hot, quick on his feet, and generally wins the day. Add in a couple of younger-brother teens, a smidge of traumatic past, an effort at magic, and you have a warm holiday story. ...more
Walker has a temper - it gets him into trouble on and off the ice. He's made it to the top hockey league, and he's now rich and successful, but the ecWalker has a temper - it gets him into trouble on and off the ice. He's made it to the top hockey league, and he's now rich and successful, but the echoes of a very rough childhood simmer under the surface, making him quick with his fists. One night, drunk and rowdy, he chases a young guy who stole his phone and beats him up. Team management and circumstances keep him from a trial and jail, but he's sent to counseling and then down to the minor leagues, to get his act together. There he meets elementary school teacher Finn, who does art or art therapy classes on the side. And Finn's sweetness is an antidote for the darkness Walker lives with.
I liked that Walker got counseling, got medications, his issues were not solved by being with Finn. I appreciated that while his past was painful, the details weren't wallowed in, but used to motivate his behavior. The attraction was fast, but they spent time before falling into bed. And the secondary characters - siblings and the other members of the team who also were in counseling - were fun and added a lot of life and humor to the story.
You do have to take Finn's role in leading the art the class as given - normally art therapy is a clinical program that requires a masters, licensing or credentialing, continuing education, etc. There's not a lot of evidence that Finn has all the background and expertise for that role. But assuming this was more of an extracurricular activity for the guys, not true therapy, then as such, the sweet elementary teacher with an art background is the perfect foil for the men and their team camaraderie and issues.
I really enjoyed the read. Walker made me want to hug him, all the way through. The other players made me laugh. The ending is sweet but not improbable, and I believe that despite the uncertainties of a pro-hockey life where trades are a constant threat, these two guys are in it for the long term....more
This is second in the series, new MCs but IMO best read in order. We met firefighter Reece in the first book as a player, a guy who's never serious abThis is second in the series, new MCs but IMO best read in order. We met firefighter Reece in the first book as a player, a guy who's never serious about anyone or anything except his job. Now we get to see behind the curtain, the persona that Reece uses to protect himself. He had a rough childhood, has a beloved Nan who no longer knows who he is, and a once-loved twin brother he's very distant from. He thinks he only wants a good time from the men he hooks up with, but we as readers can feel the ache for something more.
We also met paramedic Trent in passing. Trent's juggling a lot in his life and his past, and he's found that painkillers take the emotional pain out of his day to day life. He still functions, still cares for his autistic brother, kids himself that he doesn't take too many, but the downward spiral is clear. The intense way he feels about Reece will either be his salvation or his downfall.
These two men are hot for each other, but underneath, they are both looking for someone they can count on when things get rough. There's both drama and emotion in their lives as first responders, especially when it's looking like someone in the community is committing arson. I was pulled quickly through this story, and am looking forward to the next (hoping for something good in the life of Jude, the schoolteacher. Which I see, taking a look, is who we get next . Can't wait.)...more
This story gives us Adri - child of the ruling family of Niralen - a race of purple-skinned 3-digit-per-hand humanoids who all have magical talents (aThis story gives us Adri - child of the ruling family of Niralen - a race of purple-skinned 3-digit-per-hand humanoids who all have magical talents (and all use "he" pronouns.) Adri is the misfit of his family, talented with technology and electricity, where the rest of his family are tuned to biology and the world of living plants. He's an introvert, easily overwhelmed by noise, crowds, and distraction at a level that in a human might be considered clinical anxiety. The rest of the family are cheerful extroverts. At his brother the Crown Prince's engagement party, an overwhelmed Adri decides to run away, at least for a while, choosing a hotel suggested by a random stranger.
At the hotel, incognito, he's told he can work for a room, and he encounters a wonderful man who makes sublime espresso (his weakness) in the cafe across the street.
Sam is a barista and the cafe manager, a dad to five kids (one of them nonbinary) he's helping raise in a kind of polycule relationship with his ex and other adults. I had a bit of trouble at first keeping the kids and adults in Sam's family straight, but by the end they'd all grown on me.
The magic is sketched in just enough to keep the story moving along. The real draws here are the characters, the way Sam interacts with a whole group of people he loves while courting Adri, and how Adri comes out of his shell.
I hadn't read others in the series - I assume there were cameos, but I didn't feel I was missing anything by not recognizing them. This one stood alone. I liked the LGBTQ+ rep, and enjoyed the sweetness of the romance, mostly pretty conflict-free and driven by Adri's fears and Sam's busy life. The ending is sweet and warm. ...more
This is a fitting read for the Halloween season BUT it's really much less about ghosts, haunting, and the paranormal than it is about fear, connectionThis is a fitting read for the Halloween season BUT it's really much less about ghosts, haunting, and the paranormal than it is about fear, connections, and making the most out of your life.
Edgar has seen ghosts since he was a kid and they have deeply limited his ability to enjoy anything, to meet people, and to feel like he's ever in control. His first ghost was at the death of his childhood best friend, and that wasn't a comforting apparition, but an abomination of the sweet guy he'd lost. Since then, they appear at random, chilling, horrifying and startling, provoking panic attacks that send him home to his one refuge, his bed and videos of the cat cafe he manages. Until one night he's coaxed out to a burlesque performance and meets Jamie, a non-binary trans masc person with an enjoyment of life that calls to Edgar. Except how can they be together when Edgar may melt down at any random moment?
Jamie is a delight, in their frank enjoyment of life and their kind heart. They are exactly who Edgar needs to break him out of the shell of anxiety and avoidance that has been his life. Although, Jamie works as a "haunter" - someone who builds haunted houses - and their enjoyment of a good jump-scare is at odds with Edgar's terror, which he hesitates to explain. Still, as they spend time together, they both find a welcome and nonjudgemental friend, someone who appeals on every level.
Edgar's feisty pregnant sister also sees ghosts but her experience is different from his, less intense and emotional, not debilitating. But at least Edgar has someone who doesn't think he's crazy. Their brother, when he shows up, has his own stresses and past. And Jamie's family, who'd seemed to accept who they are, become picky and try to coerce them to conform as their own sister's society wedding approaches.
This has a found-family feel, although some are real family, and a solid happy ending. The mystery of the ghosts appearing is not central and so a slight handwave of explanation felt okay. I've enjoyed everything of Roan Parrish's that I have read, and this was no exception. (And I'd love to see brother Poe have a story.)...more
Loading...
