Sasha Fountain

I enjoyed Jose and Jonas' story. Jose had a rough start in life when he lost his parents. Jonas is a gentle giant who decides being in the closet is safer when part of his family does not accept him, and he is beaten up by boys at school. Both men cross paths at a clinic where they work as nurses and have an instant connection and chemistry. I like that Jose was able to help Jonas develop the confidence to be out and proud. They had some hiccups to overcome, but they got their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This book is about Rayne, an omega witch, and Zander, an alpha dragon, who are fated mates. The general storyline line was okay, but the writing felt a bit juvenile, with a lot of exposition included in the story. I realize that this is the first book in a series, but there were a lot of unanswered questions when I finished the book. It was a quick read, but I'm not sure if I want to continue the series.

Thank you to GRR for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.

3.75 stars

Foxy Tails is an MM fantasy romance with a colorful cast of characters. This story involves demons, foxes, healers, magic, murder, and vengeance. In a world where nothing is what it seems, the story is full of magic, danger, suspense, and tension. Honestly, the romance fell a bit flat to me because it seemed like a slow burn that was building towards something big, and it didn't. The book feels like it is geared toward a younger audience.

Thank you to GRR for providing a copy for my honest review.

Omega fox shifter Kendall has isolated himself in his grandfather's cabin after his husband's devastating death and his grandfather's loss. Alpha bear Callum is out hiking when he comes across Kendall's cabin and the heirloom apple tree outside it. Callum hopes to obtain seeds for his orchard, but Kendall refuses because he wants to keep the apples in his family. I loved the fact that these fated mates were from different species. This was a really sweet romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This was a really enjoyable shifter romance from Minerva Howe. It was interesting to delve into the story of a new kind of shifter, and Minerva's descriptions of them were very vivid. I do wish there were more instances of Max and Quint in their shifted forms throughout the story. The instalove in the story is cute and it is why many of Minerva's books are comfort reads for me. The confrontation with Max's father was a bit anticlimactic. Quint's brothers were awesome characters, and I can't wait for them to get their HEA.

This is the first book in the BrewBiz series centered around a deaf coffee shop. It is truly a grumpy/sunshine romance.

Bodhi was the sweetest character and definitely fell into the category of protecting at all costs, even though he wouldn't like that. Caleb crossed the line from grumpy to asshole, so it took me a while to warm up to him. Caleb did strive to make up for his mistakes and behavior, so I appreciated that. Their relationship is not smooth, but I love how they don't give up on each other.

4.75 stars

This was a very unique and interesting read. M.N. Bennet wove a mix of magic, teenage shenanigans, and complex adult issues that don't seem like they should work together, but they do. The story balances many characters and various plot points well. There was Dorian, who had relationship issues with Milo, a stressful work environment, and struggled with his past failures. Then there were Dorian's students, who each had their problems. In addition, there is Dorian's race to prevent the death in Milo's prophecy and a group of rogue warlocks with nefarious plans.

The book introduces a lot, so it sometimes drags a bit. The good thing about it is that nothing was introduced was boring to read. The world-building was great, and the variety of magical powers was good. Bennet made the magic system understandable despite the many elements involved.

Dorian is highly grumpy, a chain smoker, and an overworked teacher who wants the best for his students. He was also dealing with grief from losing one of his partners. The dynamic between Dorian and Milo was complicated because of the loss of their partner Finn. I loved the storyline of Dorian and Milo coming to terms with their past and moving forward to a better future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Five stars.

I loved this book! Donna Hill wove several distinct timelines between ancestors and descendants who are separated by generations, but their struggles were intermingled. The amidst the book, there are passages from what we learn are our MC Alessandra's ancestors. Here are the tragedies and oppressions that Alessandra's maternal ancestors experienced throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

After developing a strained relationship after her mother's death, Alessandra was estranged from her father for the last few years. She is an aspiring photographer on the cusp of her first gallery show, and she is surprised by a call that her father has been hospitalized. She comes back home to Sag Harbor to deal with her father's condition, and to her surprise, her father is glad to see her. Before her return home, she begins to have vivid dreams and realistic visions that she can not comprehend. She also finds out that her father wanted her to know the history of her ancestors, which her mother did not like to share with her.

When she returns to Sag Harbor, she meets Zach, one of her father's neighbors who has a close relationship with him, making her a bit jealous. We also get chapters with Zach's perspective which gave us a soul-moving story about soulmates, accepting and honoring the past, and forgiveness. Alessandra and Zach's connection was powerful, and they were drawn to each other their band intensified as they explored the segments of her family's history. Zach also finds out that Alessandra's family is integral to the research he has been doing on the maroon community in Sag Harbor.

The book was very enthralling because there were so many facets to the plot, and at first, I wondered how the historical accounts fit into the book's main narrative. Overall I loved how everything came together, and this is yet another amazing book by Donna Hill.

Thanks to Hear Our Voices Tours for providing me with a copy for my honest review.

Women of the Post focuses on the contributions of black women during World War II, which was fascinating. The story alternates between the perspectives of three women in the all-Black battalion of the Women's Army Corps. Their job was to sort through millions of pieces of backlogged mail, so soldiers and their families could communicate. This was also a story about female friendship, love, and belonging. The three narratives were woven very well.

I received a free copy of this book via Hear Our Voices Tours and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I've followed Jessica Cage for a while, so when the opportunity to review this ARC, I jumped on it. We got a pronunciation guide initially, which helped me enter this new world. The female MC is a strong character which I loved about this story. The concept of the Eldritch trials and the shared world by multiple authors is really interesting.

Jessica did a great job describing the characters, so I could clearly visualize them and the world they inhabit. I'm excited to read the rest of the books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Mèo and Bé is a beautiful and heartbreaking middle-grade novel about an eleven-year-old girl who suffers abuse at the hands of her stepmother and is drugged and sold to a sex trafficking Gand during the Vietnam. For a a major duration of the story Bé's only friend is her three footed kitten Mèo who helps her keep her spirits up throughout all of the challenges she encounters. Bé also finds new friends and family as the story progresses. I gave this book fours stars because it feels more adult than middle-grade to me at times. There were very heavy themes in this historical fiction that teaches about overcoming adversity and resilience.

Thank you to Hear Our Voices Tours for the advanced copy and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

3.75 stars rounded up

This is a cute collection of age-gap MM romance stories. This is my first time reading books from Ana Ashley. Most of the selected stories are not standalone and are from different series. I didn't like that approach to a box set because I'm used to box sets where all the books are for one series. I did enjoy most of the books, with my favorite being the first story, “How to Catch a Biker.”

How to Catch a Biker was about two characters who did not know what they needed until they met. They both had baggage from their past experiences and were looking for love, but love is what they got. I am not the biggest fan of age-gap romances, but these were enjoyable.

This was very interesting take on the alpha/omega universe and angels/demons that was different from most of the common narratives about them. The book had Greta world building, a good plot, some interesting character development and romance. I'm not big on reading angst so I had some reservations about this book but I was pleasantly surprised with the plot choices. I loved that despite the dark themes in the book the relationship itself was not a dark romance. The miscommunications throughout the book were frustrating but it did not deter from my enjoyment of the book.

I received an ARC from GRR and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This is a low-angst romance with the tropes of an age gap and a best friend's dad. Both Ben and Jasper were sweet and deserved the HEA they got. There were some misunderstandings throughout the story, but they made an effort to communicate. The age gap was addressed well, and it's great that it was not a major complication for them.

The ending was rushed, and I wish we had gotten a smoother conclusion. I'm looking forward to the setup for Finn's romance.

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This story was sweet, and I loved how the main MCs fit together. Interestingly, Mikey turned out to be Bricker, Dave's online crush and Dave's reaction to that news was confusing. I liked their honest communication, and the story was really cozy. I'm interested in reading some other stories in the Dahlia Springs-based series.

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This a limited edition box set of 7 books that involve princes, noble knights, charming wizards, shapeshifters, and necromancers who fight for love. We join their adventures as Fate lines their path with obstacles that must be overcome as they search for true love.

Titles in this Box Set are:
- Sentinel
- The Hunted Prince
- Familiar Troubles: A Freedom Series Novella
- Plight of an Imp
- Just Another Day at the Morgue: A Mystical Markings Novella
- The Richmond Vampire
- Flames of Fate: A Dragon Shifter” Enchantment

This was a great collection of MM stories. This review is for Just Another Day at the Morgue by B.L. Maxwell. It's an exciting tale with solid characters. Bran sees ghosts and Jordan, who can feel all the pain and emotions from the dead. It was a page-turner, and I recommend checking out this box set.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

After reading about Morgan in a previous book in the Perfect Match Agency series, I was excited to find out that he would get his perfect match.

We meet Riley, a young omega whose family and the cult have ostracized him due to his UV allergy. They consider him a demon, his parents have treated him horribly, and he does not have a great relationship with his siblings. Unbeknownst to him, his parents have signed him up for the Perfect Match Agency to find a mate to marry him before his first heat. In their cult, omegas must be married before their first heat. It was sad to see Riley's treatment by his family and the religious figure who wanted to mate him.

Morgan is hesitant to use the Perfect Match Agency after his previous experience during Chance Match. He is a sweetheart and a hopeless romantic whose heart has been taken advantage of many times. When he gets his match email, he hesitates to open it, and his best friend/assistant Storm encourages him to go for it. He is surprised to read the stipulations attached to Riley's profile but intrigued enough to set up a meeting.

When Morgan and Riley meet, they are instantly attracted and yearn to be with each other. Morgan is determined to get Riley out of the confining life he has lived up until now. Riley is eager to leave with Morgan to escape the community he was raised in and the lecherous religious figure who wanted to mate him.

I loved that Morgan accepted Riley and adjusted his whole home to accommodate him with lights that did not use UV. I love that they got their HEA, and I look forward to reading the final book in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I loved Jared, Alex, and Aiden! Endeavor is book four in Ava Olsen's Voyagers series, and the romance has been teased in previous books. It is a sexy and swoony MMM romance that made me laugh and tear up throughout the story.

Jared is a sweetheart American actor turned director who had to retain Alex and Aiden's services due to a lawsuit against a studio exec who SA-ed him years ago. Alex is a no-nonsense British ex-military bodyguard who is stoic, protective, and observant. Aiden is a snarky, bold British barrister who is always quick with his barbs.

It's been shown previously that Jared was interested in both Aiden and Alex. Dylan, whose romance was featured in book two of the series, has caught on to Jared and teases him about it at the beginning of the book. Dylan mentions that Now, Voyager, the yacht they are staying on, is known for bringing couples together.

Jared, Alex, and Aiden have known each other for months, but they begin to cross the lines when they are in Thailand on Now, Voyager. The romance is really sweet, and the build-up and chemistry are top-tier! The relationship is low-angst, and they have mature conversations. I liked how they all came together to take care of each other.

The harassment of Jared was handled realistically, and there was a great resolution to that conflict. I loved their HEA, and this book has solidified Ava Olsen as an auto-buy author for me.

Thank you to Ava Olsen for the ARC copy.

Just finished “Wild Ride,” the kick-off to Leslie North's Wildhorse Ranch Brothers series. Our main guy, Trevor Wild, is trying to keep his horse ranch afloat and comes up with a cool idea - glamping! Enter Sabrina Hearthstone, the woman he hires to help him pull it off. They're as different as chalk and cheese, but when they finally let their walls down, they make one heck of a team. I wish we got to know them a bit more though. It's a quick read that leaves you wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.