GaleMR

Checkmate! Absolute furor! You bl00dy nailed the perfect combination - characters, plot, substance, emotional intensity! I am still shell shocked that I was actually able to finish a book in one sitting, in two actually because I realized that I don't want to reach the ending and part with this fabulous storytelling - so I wanted to prolong the reading pleasure. What do we have here ?
- Hillary - a strong FMC, a tech mogul during the day, a vigilante with a twist after working hours - capable, cunning, wicked smart and a switch / in the bedroom/
-D/S dynamics - glimpses from past encounters make tantalizing glimpses in the present
- Aaron and Kellan - pre established and very interesting connections with two of the MMC but despite the high heat and the flying sparks, everyone is chasing their own agenda so nothing is easy and predictable.
- Lachlan - for now the great unknown who manage to create a lot of ripples after his arrival.
- one deadly game of real life chess where the rules are often overturned, the players and the moves a fascinating, ever changing carousel of possibilities.
- numerous shades of grey but not as a reference to the movie. The characters are riding hard the grey line, more often into the dark than on the pristine white side.
- Queen that will be surprised to find too many Kings on her chessboard and has to determine who is the Rook, to get Knight and the real King, while navigating treacherous waters with too many sharks that want a bite of her town.
What you won't find is a damsel in distress,lovesick characters with puppy eyes, insta love and sweetness that can easily give you cavities.
Carlisle is a captivating small fictional town - dazzling on the surface, deceptively calm, but hiding depths darker than the missing soul of a grim reaper. It's a place where the interests of a few big players collide and every character has their own position and a role to play. The story is an addictive page-turner - unpredictable and slow burn-ish, but with an excellent build up of tension that is promising a lot more to happen in the continuation.

While the first part of the story was focused on Juno's dark past filled with painful moments, pure survival, and the dissolution of the bonds she was chained with against her will, the second was a heartwarming conclusion and a hard-won “HEA”. While the bonds were gone, the physical and emotional scars remained a constant reminder of the threat that was still out there. But when the nightmare of her past loomed over her fragile new life once again, there was a big difference - she wasn't alone anymore. Rivera -Gunarrsson showed such a strong unwavering wall of support, an impenetrable protective circle of love and care. Only one in her new pack was Juno's scent match, but she accepted all the men as her own and poured all her heart into creating, developing and nurturing connections with all of them. The pack dynamic was truly amazing - they were all close friends but in different relationships with each other. What really mattered was that every pack member was valued, respected and accepted no matter the designation. And when Juno became a part of it, her presence added 2 more people. A really big pack but all of them were so in tune with each other, the harmony was perfect.
I enjoyed the story not only because it was well written. The second reason was the diversity. It was refreshing to read about different cultures and asian representation.

I see you! Only 3 words but such a powerful impact! I see you, just you, not the public persona, not the projection you think someone is, not the talented player! They can build a person from scratch or destroy them if they lack sincerity and conviction. Max Latham has been waiting his whole life to hear them. Just when everything comes crashing down because of yet another unwanted media scandal with him at its epicenter, these words finally come from a totally unexpected place, from someone he never thought would notice him. And they are wrapped in an irresistible package with so much genuine care that Max is blindsided. Why right now, why Deryke? A guy who he has seen only in passing, will stop him from spiralling. He's not the only one confused and lost. Deryke is equally blinded by the frantic desire to take care of Max, to protect him, to get to know him. I'm not a fan of hockey novels, but even though the characters are professional hockey players and hockey is the only life they know, this isn't a hockey-centric book with all the endless terms /that flew right over my head/, wins and losses,sport politics or the game itself. It's a heavy emotional read about the life behind the rink and the lights; a story about the internal battles, struggles and hurdles, every player face in different ways behind closed doors. The Crease tells the story of Max and Deryke during the summer break between hockey seasons. Crea Reitan is a master at capturing real emotions and beautifully incorporating them into her books. And these emotions are so strong and vibrant, they color the pages and the reading experience in a way nobody could be indifferent to what's happening or why. For me, personally, it's deeply thought-provoking. I truly admired Deryke's larger than life personality- the way he picked up the pieces of Max and glued them back together. And not only that but such a heartwarming bi awakening laced with humour and easy acceptance. Max and Deryke clicked together on a deep, visceral level but it wasn't easy with the demons of insecurity and mistrust, plaguing Max. The most important- Deryke won the fight with the demons and I had wonderful time reading about it.

If the world is a stage and our lives are a performance, we have to play to the best of our abilities, without knowing the roles we are executing, will all of us be persuasive and skillful actors or will our performance fade away without being noticed? When Jonah moved to live in LA - bright eyed and convinced that he will score the best role and the red carpet is just behind the corner, he isn't aware that the most important role of his new life will actually be his Survival. And he will have to play not on the scene he thought, not in front of the camera he actually dreamed about, but in the most of unexpected ways. Dreadful choices, shattered dreams, sick twists and so much pain rolled into a story with the flavour of psychological thriller and unconventional romance. Because this is definitely not a story about love and finding your HEA. It's a disturbing Ode to naivety and innocence and what ‘s left behind, when they are stripped away from the eyes, the heart and the mind. Could survival be counted as a win when the person who gained his freedom back has lost so much in the process. Once again this author has created a masterful conundrum that leaves the reader uncertain which is the lesser Evil and which is the better choice if there is one at all.
I like thought provoking books and this one delivers in spades. Because is a HEA really a HEA after so many life altering events Jonah went through? He was destined to perform and test his acting skills but not in the way he thought he will. And that's exactly what makes the story interesting. The additional bonus were the other characters - every single one served a purpose and reinforced the message, hidden beneath the surface of the story : “Life is a stage and nobody knows what kind of performance awaits.”

Merged review:

If the world is a stage and our lives are a performance, we have to play to the best of our abilities, without knowing the roles we are executing, will all of us be persuasive and skillful actors or will our performance fade away without being noticed? When Jonah moved to live in LA - bright eyed and convinced that he will score the best role and the red carpet is just behind the corner, he isn't aware that the most important role of his new life will actually be his Survival. And he will have to play not on the scene he thought, not in front of the camera he actually dreamed about, but in the most of unexpected ways. Dreadful choices, shattered dreams, sick twists and so much pain rolled into a story with the flavour of psychological thriller and unconventional romance. Because this is definitely not a story about love and finding your HEA. It's a disturbing Ode to naivety and innocence and what ‘s left behind, when they are stripped away from the eyes, the heart and the mind. Could survival be counted as a win when the person who gained his freedom back has lost so much in the process. Once again this author has created a masterful conundrum that leaves the reader uncertain which is the lesser Evil and which is the better choice if there is one at all.
I like thought provoking books and this one delivers in spades. Because is a HEA really a HEA after so many life altering events Jonah went through? He was destined to perform and test his acting skills but not in the way he thought he will. And that's exactly what makes the story interesting. The additional bonus were the other characters - every single one served a purpose and reinforced the message, hidden beneath the surface of the story : “Life is a stage and nobody knows what kind of performance awaits.”

Merged review:

If the world is a stage and our lives are a performance, we have to play to the best of our abilities, without knowing the roles we are executing, will all of us be persuasive and skillful actors or will our performance fade away without being noticed? When Jonah moved to live in LA - bright eyed and convinced that he will score the best role and the red carpet is just behind the corner, he isn't aware that the most important role of his new life will actually be his Survival. And he will have to play not on the scene he thought, not in front of the camera he actually dreamed about, but in the most of unexpected ways. Dreadful choices, shattered dreams, sick twists and so much pain rolled into a story with the flavour of psychological thriller and unconventional romance. Because this is definitely not a story about love and finding your HEA. It's a disturbing Ode to naivety and innocence and what ‘s left behind, when they are stripped away from the eyes, the heart and the mind. Could survival be counted as a win when the person who gained his freedom back has lost so much in the process. Once again this author has created a masterful conundrum that leaves the reader uncertain which is the lesser Evil and which is the better choice if there is one at all.
I like thought provoking books and this one delivers in spades. Because is a HEA really a HEA after so many life altering events Jonah went through? He was destined to perform and test his acting skills but not in the way he thought he will. And that's exactly what makes the story interesting. The additional bonus were the other characters - every single one served a purpose and reinforced the message, hidden beneath the surface of the story : “Life is a stage and nobody knows what kind of performance awaits.”

This is definitely an innovative and really refreshing approach to the typical Omegaverse story. And to make it even more enticing, the author has combined elements of the Omegaverse with compelling, deeply engaging fantasy world building. The result is genuinely emotional, exciting, fast-paced and suspenseful. The foundation of this heavily plot oriented book was the devastating War between humans and fae, in which the fae race was erased in a river of blood and the remnants of their culture buried deep. So having fae blood was not only dangerous but a Death sentence. The imaginary world I entered once I started reading had such interesting descriptions that I found it hard to put the book down; it had its own tragic events and even a Pantheon of Gods. Every little element was painted by the author's caring and loving touch. The characters were unusual and out of the box, extraordinary : an omega with fae blood who has lived her whole life as a human acolyte in the quiet tranquility of a Temple; a blind priest who was believed to be chosen to serve 2 gods of war one young commander in the imperial army and one wild Drakoryan. Unlikely group of alphas for one unlikely Omega!So what did they have in common? What they had in common was not only their fae blood, not only the desperate and deep-seated desire to belong to their respective group, to be truly accepted and to blend in, but the fact that despite their efforts, they always stood out as different. /The Drakoryan was a piece of the puzzle we didn't get to know much in this book /Actually neither of them had the chance to achieve the goal of blending in, becausr every one of them was uprooted from the life they used to know and thrown into a whirlwind of chaos, uncertainty and frightening new changes. Their lives collided in spectacular explosion forcing them to form a ragtag group of reluctant adventurers, where their survival solely relied not only on instincts but acceptance of the new reality and fast adaptation as well as learning to trust each other and let the bonds of fated mates between them develop and flourish. What I really valued was the fact that no one accepted the bonds from the get go. Every one of the characters started to develop, change and learn - observing, questioning the conditioning they were raised in, finding new pieces of themselves and searching for new pillars of their new beliefs. The story beautifully unfolded, the speed gradually picked up in a series of unexpected twists ending on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see the continuation and how Taj and The Drakoryan fit into the group dynamic.

Merged review:

This is definitely an innovative and really refreshing approach to the typical Omegaverse story. And to make it even more enticing, the author has combined elements of the Omegaverse with compelling, deeply engaging fantasy world building. The result is genuinely emotional, exciting, fast-paced and suspenseful. The foundation of this heavily plot oriented book was the devastating War between humans and fae, in which the fae race was erased in a river of blood and the remnants of their culture buried deep. So having fae blood was not only dangerous but a Death sentence. The imaginary world I entered once I started reading had such interesting descriptions that I found it hard to put the book down; it had its own tragic events and even a Pantheon of Gods. Every little element was painted by the author's caring and loving touch. The characters were unusual and out of the box, extraordinary : an omega with fae blood who has lived her whole life as a human acolyte in the quiet tranquility of a Temple; a blind priest who was believed to be chosen to serve 2 gods of war one young commander in the imperial army and one wild Drakoryan. Unlikely group of alphas for one unlikely Omega!So what did they have in common? What they had in common was not only their fae blood, not only the desperate and deep-seated desire to belong to their respective group, to be truly accepted and to blend in, but the fact that despite their efforts, they always stood out as different. /The Drakoryan was a piece of the puzzle we didn't get to know much in this book /Actually neither of them had the chance to achieve the goal of blending in, becausr every one of them was uprooted from the life they used to know and thrown into a whirlwind of chaos, uncertainty and frightening new changes. Their lives collided in spectacular explosion forcing them to form a ragtag group of reluctant adventurers, where their survival solely relied not only on instincts but acceptance of the new reality and fast adaptation as well as learning to trust each other and let the bonds of fated mates between them develop and flourish. What I really valued was the fact that no one accepted the bonds from the get go. Every one of the characters started to develop, change and learn - observing, questioning the conditioning they were raised in, finding new pieces of themselves and searching for new pillars of their new beliefs. The story beautifully unfolded, the speed gradually picked up in a series of unexpected twists ending on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see the continuation and how Taj and The Drakoryan fit into the group dynamic.

The continuation is even more scarier, chilling and shockingly intense than I thought possible. For Jacob the time ran out faster than he thought possible and he wasn't prepared for the nightmare he was unexpectedly thrown into. For me as a reader it was a thrilling, intriguing experience to watch the way the story grew exponentially darker while Jacob's survival instincts kicked out, just a heartbeat too late. The story is excellent combination between thriller and erotica with dub con elements and a lot of triggers. The best part? It's not the final book and I really hope there will be a chance for him to survive and build his life again.

This really unique family, bound by blood, kink,love and generational trauma and Mock's truly outstanding writing style combined together created a story utterly captivating, shockingly disturbing and deeply jarring. When the past refused to stay buried and ugly shadow resurfaced, the whole Randolph family was thrown into a tailspin, old wounds reopened and bonds were put to an ultimate test of strength and stability. The pain Silas went through was so raw, unfiltered and startlingly realistic, the way he was mourning the old days of his captivity, the haunting strange love he still harboured for Alexander were battling with the deeply ingrained in him urge to protect his family from the pure poison Alexander himself was. From the vibe the story was giving, he was miserably losing this battle and meanwhile dragging not only his brothers down the destructive path of Alexander's mind games but also the other members of the family. For me this isn't a book with a standard HEA. It's more complicated because Silas never fully got over his past and wasn't mentally and emotionally strong enough to overcome the toxicity of his upbringing and his cravings. Actually he was so absorbed in his past, he was emotionally absent in his relationship with Lakshan
But even though Silas felt like the centerpiece of this multilayered and complicated plot, there were other threads that were adding to the richness and depth of the story - Wyatt, Asher an Darius gave a real reprieve to my sanity finally forming their triad adding so much needed light and a little bit of humour to lit up the descending darkness. I loved the personality growth of Oliver as well.
But don't let the little golden nuggets distract you from the fact that it's a really dark, very dark book with a serious triggers.
All the books have to be read in order as well so you can fully enjoy the feeling of jumping from a cliff without a safety net - bizarre, unforgettable, horrifying...

I haven't read many sports romance books, so I was a little nervous about what was in store. But I shouldn't have doubted Aurora Crane's ability to write another really interesting and entertaining story. I'm not going to lie, I was completely hopelessly and helplessly lost at first before the story unfolded because the Australian Football League is something unique that I've never watched but I was also hooked. Aurora has a way of drawing you into her fictional worlds and helping you forget everything else that exists around you. I even learned a curious thing about AFL team names - their symbols are Australian animals. So what do we have here - a low angst, slow burn, rivals to lovers story with a healthy helping of curious, meddling siblings and friends, the warm feeling of family found and a truly touching and brave bi awakening.
Both characters are at different stages of their careers - while Noah, who is 28 years old, is counting down the final years of his sports career and is aware that he is one of the 2 oldest players on his team, Bryce, being 23, is at the pinnacle of his own career development. And then there are their teams - while Noah's team is in the process of rebuilding with too many unseasoned players, who are still learning and struggling, it seems like the North Sydney wombats have a promising season ahead of them. And everything would have been fine and dandy, if Bryce hasn't been a naughty peeping Tom and caught a peek of Noah's private moment in a chance encounter. That of course opened an unexpected can of worms with Bryce starting to doubt his “straight” -ness, especially when Noah's agreed to be the delicious experiment in Bryce's exploration of his newfound side. There were a few things that not only made this book stand out amongst others but actually made me laugh out loud.
And everything would have been fine if Bryce hadn't been a naughty peeping Tom and caught a glimpse of Noah's private moment in a chance encounter. This, of course, opens up an unexpected can of worms in which Bryce begins to doubt his “heterosexuality,” especially when Noah agrees to be the tasty experiment in Bryce's exploration of his newfound side. There were a few things that not only set this book apart from the rest, but also made me laugh out loud. First and foremost, no pinning, tons of sleepless nights and quiet internal torture - “Whether I'm straight or not”. Not only was Bryce's hair fiery red, but his personality was fierce inferno. With the same passion he played with on the field, he threw himself into exploring and testing his new feelings. I loved how open, honest and irrepressible he was. Second - the banter and warm camaraderie between Bryce, Noah and their friends and siblings. There wasn't hiding and mincing words - sometimes in even too many detals. Third the relationship between Bryce and Noah - even though it started as no strings attached, the undeniable chemistry between them soon turned the tentative and careful exploration into something way more deeper and meaningful. But while they both had doubts and reservations especially with the complications of playing for rival teams, Bryce showed a surprisingly stronger moral integrity and maturity in handling the new situation he was drawn into. He really wanted to keep this new and unexpected relationship and made good choices while their connection was developing which showed his commitment and respect towards Noah. Noah was the one who really surprised me with his petty bitterness and poor choices even though he veered back on the right path for the sake of the HEA of the story.
So to wrap my review up I want to say I truly enjoyed my first dip into AFL under the author's skillful writing and even more - the way she avoided the usual sweet repetivness of such kind of stories adding a little twists and bumps on their way.

In just one glorious moment, the rare omega Nepheline had it all - her entire life mapped out before her like a decadent autumn feast - her betrothed, her upcoming marriage ritual, her happiness. Until an ambush on the way to her new life took it all away and turned it into a painful memory of what was meant to be. So this wasn't a typical candy flavoured omegaverse story. On the contrary, it was a story about finding the strength and determination to keep going when all the odds are against you, about the shocking awakening of your mind, spirit, and ability to survive, to wrap up the pain of losing your family and your future in one fell swoop and forge a new path - the path of vengeance. Because revenge is a dish best served cold! And Nepheline was determined to prove it. You don't wrong someone like her if you don't want to open the gates to Hell. It was a pleasure to read about her transformation, to follow the awakening of a truly strong character who wasn't content to let the limits and expectations of her designation stop her from achieving her ultimate goal of finding the culprit of the destruction and making him/they pay.
It wasn't just a wake-up call for Nepheline, but for her betrothed Mateo as well. In the chaos that followed the chilling events that upended the foundations of his life, an illusion was shattered to dust. An illusion about the pack he was raised and trained to lead - ugly truths and well concealed secrets started to resurface like poisonous mushrooms in a magical forest full of lies, betrayal and deception. The story not only contains an impressively strong emotional undercurrent, but so many twists, turns and unexpected revelations that it keeps you glued to the pages until the last.
And of course there was also a drop of sweetness and high octane heat level that hits like a freight train. Because even though Nepheline wasn't a typical omega, behind the though exterior and fierce fighting spirit, there was a soft, vulnerable center. Amidst the action and unfolding suspense, she still had to learn how to nest, how to bond her mates, how to trust again and just be her omega-self. And she had not only Mateo, but Remi, River and Asani. So much to explore and learn.
The book has the perfect combination between plot and kinky fun.

It was truly a story about fighting your fears when you lose everything you know and face all the unknowns - your career, your dreams, your health, your marriage. But was also a testament for Jace's strong and wholesome personality that after everything he lost, he found new purpose to go on. And when he heard the cry for help from the dark alley, he didn't turn his head in the other direction. Once again he took a life changing decision.
Sweet, low angst, low level of heat story for finding happiness and love in the most unexpected moment. Despite the vastly different background, Nolan and Jace clicked together seamlessly and in perfect harmony. Stories like this just brighten the day and make you smile, when you read them. The plot was the typical “fell for your savior” trope with later in life bi awakening and demi sexuality discovery for Jace and coming out of the closet and building a new life from ground for Nolan. Really enjoyable story with some of my favourite tropes.

I am completely overwhelmed how to describe my mixed feelings about this story. Based on the trigger warnings I was expecting a darker, creepier, more complex plot with higher level of intensity. There was a promise of MM content, so I expected more in that direction as well. Now the positives - the beginning was excellent, the writing well done, and the concepts the author chose were great. So I continued reading, although after the first few chapters I realized that the level of angst wasn't even a fraction close to my liking and it didn't match the previously mentioned triggers. Even the internal conflict between the pack members over Nora's acceptance into the pack was mild and not very convincing. Chase was my only hope that something more exciting would happen, but that direction turned out to be a dead end. Levi wasn't given enough attention either, and MM was pushed aside. I didn't finish the whole book because I just couldn't continue. I have to say that the concept of designing the Perfect Omega was new to me, and the fact that there is no Universal Standard for what perfect means caught my attention and I wanted to see the author's POV on it through character development! Nora learned over time that nothing and no one is Perfect. She was observant, intelligent, and adaptable, taking the surprises life presented to her as a puzzle to be solved and a challenge she met with quiet determination, which clearly showed that she was a fighter, not a quitter.
For lovers of low angst stories this is a very good choice, just don't go in hyped up for darker content.

The book is a pretty decent RomCom - kinky, sweet, with a great deal of humor and dirty talk that makes it light and fun. What drew me to read it was the blurb. Unfortunately, the execution, storyline and characters, especially Asher, need some serious work. The mistaken identity with the wrong sms recipient, was a good start. But Asher kept going and misleading Markus for all the wrong reasons and even asked to see a contract of another person, which was clearly a breach of confidentiality that shouldn't have happened. Not only that, but he also suggested changes to it. After that point, he definitely lost me. I went forward thinking the story could get better, but it didn't. I felt like the whole book was texting between him and Marcus. And then here was the next surprise. The side characters who were friends of Asher? Rarely have I seen such an annoying group of fictional characters in a story and their actions could often be considered unnecessarily intrusive, meddling and insensitive. I am going to give an example - the way Asher was ropped to attend the event in the company his friend Danny works for as a plus one. Danny was so desperate for this promotion, he just left Asher hanging there, while going to lick boots and socialize - yes, the epitome of stellar friendship. Markus and Asher's relationship had a definite power imbalance that was affecting it in a not very appealing way. The whole story with the billionaire and the poor baker, meeting and falling for each other, could have been presented in a better way that didn't portray Asher as the “dirt under the shoe” kind of guy.
As a summary of all of that, I have to say, that the story has potential for development.

There is this special kind of love that defies gravity and time constraints, love, born from hardships, challenges and pain that a kid should never go through. But exactly this kind of love never breaks, never waivers despite separation and other obstacles thrown in her way. She lives with the heartbeat of the people who lived to see another day, two survivors who had only each other in a seemingly endless pit of fear, despair and dark memories. This is the kind of love, that blooms between Sebastian and Nicolo. That's why they picked the thread, connecting them so effortlessly and the years, both of them were apart, ceased to exist the moment they met again. The story is an excellent combination between sweet, untainted bro c€st and some thriller/mafia elements under the umbrella of the Witness protection program. Odessa is one of authors that writes amazing tab00 stories, sprinkled with her own trademark of wit and banter, and this is one more pearl on the necklace of other ones.

Daniel and Eric or what happens when sheer stupidity, lack of self preservation, annoying stubbornness and immaturity meet calm acceptance, incredible patience and deep,real life experience and knowledge!?!Happens what we see between these pages - two so different people trying to find a path toward each other and failing miserably in finding a way to express what they feel, who they are and what they really want. It's so well written, I literally felt the bitterness Daniel was oozing all the time. It was so heavily permeating the air of their story. In the rare moments when it wasn't there because the focus of the plot was on the other character Eric - the tidal wave of his grief was trying to choke me. Between the 2 of them, while they were trying to sort their feelings, deal with their dark miserable past and how everything could fit in the present, there wasn't a dull moment on page. Daniel's heavy sarcasm was another way of entertainment and in the rare moments when Eric wasn't frowning or scowling, they even had conversations.
The beginning of their unusual story starts when Daniel's life spirals out of control unexpectedly, after the ex boyfriend of his best friend throws him “under the bus” or in this case draws the attention of the BRATVA /the russian mafia/. Why and how is too much spoilerish. But when this happens Daniel has a brutal and fast slide on the learning curve of how little, how slippery and how imaginative is the control he has over his own life. After 3 years of silent treatment and calm observation, sitting on a stool and drinking the best Manhatans, in the rundown establishment where Daniel works as a bartender, walking home turns into a life altering event for both of them. Eric stumbles onto a vicious scene of physical assault and helps Daniel gain advantage and save himself.
This unforgettable night is actually the beginning of tortuously slow burnish romance even though I use the word “romance” loosely. Step by small step Daniel and Eric learn how to live in each other's personal space and how to open up the floodgates of painful memories, exorcise the demons of the past tormenting their lives and build up deliciously exquisite level of intimacy. The big surprise was that i enjoyed the maddening pace of slow building a bridge that connects them emotionally and physically on a whole new level of bonding.

Honestly, I am at a loss where to start with this book. Because this is a lot more than a book! A lot, a lot more! Between the fits of laugher and gasps for air, it changed my perception of english language irrevocably! I will never see the words “plunder” and “meld” the same way! So thank you for this incredible, exquisite, funny, light, amazingly, gooye sweet reading delicacy!
This is the most bizzare mating ritual I have ever seen in a book and I'll never forget it. But while yes, it was wild, strange and madly uncomfortable for Cole, it also provided both characters with a unique way to bond.
Thank you for bringing such warm delight in my usually quiet corner of twisted, dark and wicked reads! So people if you are still hesitant to try something new and out of your comfort zone, if you need to forget reality for a little while or just feel like you never laugh out loud enough, this is a book worth trying!

After the darkest night comes the brightest day. The author has perfectly captured the vibe of this quote in Rustic beauty. Kieran has spent most of his adult life with the threat of his ex boyfriend reappearance, looming over his shoulder - the memories of violence and abuse, a painful stamp on his life, haunting his dreams and crippling his ability to create closer connections. The continuation of Woodland appeal, where Kieran miraculously found a pack of his own, is all about healing, comfort and nurturing the created bonds between him and his alphas while living in the shadow of fear that his unhinged ex will reappear and smash the fragile feeling of happiness that is slowly sneaking in into his heart and life. Joel, Ren and Isaias are doing everything possible to help him adjust and feel safe which isn't an easy task especially after the birth of the twins - an unexpected gift nobody expected due to Kieran's unusual biology and the abuse he was subjected to for many years. The story is a real roller coaster of emotions that slowly move from dark to light. But what stands out most vividly is the overarching sense of warmth created by the pack as a whole and based on love, acceptance and respect. The challenges and hardships that Kieran and his alphas face in this book help them become a true pack - a close-knit family, brought together by chance and trauma, but cohesive and strong after overcoming all the obstacles along the way. The story is bittersweet and inspiring, a stellar example of the endurance, perseverance and resilience of the human mind.

Starborn husbands isn't just the name of this book. The talent of this author is Starborn - there is no other explanation for such kind of quality writing and the magnitude of this magnificent world building. Yes, S.Legend did it again! She took some kind of bizzare and unusual concept and turned it into a vivid, wild, out of this world reading experience! Because Stars and constellations aren't just the blinking lights which we can see in the night sky - here, in this story they are ancient sentient beings with life expextancy that spans over millenias.They aren't just guardians of the Galaxy and Earth but also have their own civilization, customs, culture and life, vastly different than ours. The one thing in common is that they aren't immune to emotions and the millenias of living amplify every one of them. Rivalries, feuds, love, hatred, betrayal, ambitions are interwoven in a fascinating web of complicated relationships that seems never ending. And living for so long means entertainment has a whole new level of understanding - vanilla just can't cut it and the stars have all the time to learn and explore...This author never disappoints in delivering a refreshing portion of her love for spankings, domestic discipline, sensual servitude and a galore of kinks.
While the beginning is a bit slow, because such complex world-building requires a solid and understandable foundation, the level of heat is completely in tune with the story's development and quickly reaches impressive levels.
And that's where the characters come in - I love the way S. Legend creates these vibrant, chaotic, emotionally complex puzzles of personalities - there just wasn't a dull moment or an ounce of predictability as I tried to follow all the threads and nuances of relationships created and developed over time frames far larger than a human lifetime. And while the relationships of Treyu,Zhang and Merrick were the focus of this story, the author created an exciting backdrop of secondary relationships and supporting characters that I would love to see in future books.
Treyu isn't an easy character to love. He is literally the embodiment of Trouble and a magnet for pure mayhem. But step by step I was drawn into the circle of his unusual charisma. I admired his resilience and defiance, the passionate way he embraced any challenge or threw himself into any danger. Maybe it wasn't the logical survival instinct, but he was his true, genuine self. Zhang and Merrick weren't my cup of tea as personalities, but they were the keys who could contain his brattiness and tame the chaos that surrounded him.
If you are a fan of polyamory, kinky action and the thrill of danger, this is a book you shouldn't skip.

I saw an excerpt of the book and immediately knew it's my next read. Romeo Alexander has delivered a delicious morsel of snark and witty banter which perfectly balance the heavier topics the book itself covers in the story line. But behind the laugher and the lightheartedness, are hidden so much pain and emotions. The relationship between Trevor and Ethan gave them both a lifesaver in a sea of loneliness and a life lesson how to let go of the past wounds and love.
Be aware of the triggers but don't let them scare you - they just give an edge to this fabulous read!.

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

When you think the world is your playground, and society thinks you should grow up and fit into a neat box, the result is a heap of trouble. That's Zeke's life in a nutshell - a college student who wants to live his life and experiment carefree. When his father gets sick of his unruly offspring, Zeke is sent to the great Unknown for urgent Taming and Life restrospect which translates into “Let's the black sheep of the family - his biker grandfather - handle the situation”. Omg, I had a blast with these characters! Grandaddy's law would have been perfect remedy, if only Zeke wasn't a glutton for punishment. The recipe for taming a bratty, free-spirited boy? Hard work and regular spankings. Though short, this taboo story contains a good plot, a k*nky delight and guaranteed entertainment.

I truly believe this is one of the authors I could call a “bartender of souls” - your favourite bartender can deliver the best cocktail; you are loving the cosy and inviting atmosphere at your favourite place and the security blanket of casual familiarity,so you are visiting your bar again and again. It's the same with authors who never fail to deliver a heady, irresistible flavour of what you love to read; who draw you in with the emotional touch of their writing; whose masterful, heartfelt descriptions make you want to stay and live between the pages of a book. Michelle Dare has made it again as a “bartender of souls” - wonderfully balanced cocktail of plot, captivating complexity of the characters and a splash of angst. I got a front row seat watching three wounded souls intertwine together and find a new path, a chance to build a new life, this time not alone but together.
In normal circumstances and in the real world Val, Corbin and Xaiden might have never met but here in Dremest, in their skilfully written fairy tale, dreams come true.
The book covers some of the favourite readers' tropes - hurt/comfort, double bi awakening, virgin MC, found family. And even though there are cameos of the characters from the previous books, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

After reading Catalyst and then Reactant, I wonder what are the roles of the guys in solving the mystery- who is a catalyst, who is a reactant and what will be the final product. The book is a fascinating puzzle of personalities, a crossroad of possibilities and variables with riot of emotions thrown into the mix. Once again I had the pleasure to meet characters so perfect in their imperfections which gives the story such a warm buzz of coziness, acceptance and reassurance that a person don't have to be picture perfect to be loved and wanted.

The second book in Chain reaction series definitely offers a significant increase of the heat between the characters we know from Catalyst. They are still learning how to function as a polycule while the speed of the deadly suspense around picks up testing and pressuring the still new bonds between them. I loved the humour sprinkled through the pages that was lightening the mood and had unforgettable moments learning about their quirks enjoying the banter and snark to the fullest. For me, Jericho is still an unknown piece of the puzzle and I am not sure how he will click with the others as a person but the way he crashed into their already chaotic life, was so much fun to observe.

After reading Reactant, I definitely know that Aurora Crane has cemented her place amongst my favourites.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.

I can always rely on Roe to deliver the perfect piece of entertaining delight with one of their mpreg stories/ they are actually some of my favorites/ This one didn't disappoint and was the perfect pallette cleanser after some really dark ones. If lactation isn't your thing, please, don't try because the abundance of milk is staggering. A real world of milky white er0tic@. So as we established, it's k!nky, m!lky, laugh out loud sweet and not plot heavy. Nico and Charles bonded while exploring freely and without restraint, their quite wild fantasies. But it worked like magic for them so it was a blast for me to read. I am going to repeat once again, don't try if the content is triggering for you and these particular k!nks aren't your cocktail glass.

This book was a pure sinful delight to read - the characters and the storyline both! Peyton and Perry used to dance around their true feelings for each other for 25y, the whole time of their strong friendship. Perry - just oblivious of his best friend's feelings and Peyton - afraid not to ruin their friendship. Until Dominic / Perry's executive assistant/appeared and the picture started to change and feelings shifted and amplified. This story covers a lot of different tropes - bi awakening, best friends to lovers, boss - employee with one added bonus - a twist that caught me by surprise and just made the flavour of the reading richer and the ties between all of them so complex and multilayered.
Curiosity killed the the cat, they say, didn't they? In this case, one faithful, life altering night turned into supernova of rediscovery for Dominic and Peyton and by extention for Perry.
I loved the boldness and fire in Dominic's personality. Once awakened, he evaluated his feelings, embraced them and went in pursuit of his dream men unabashedly, unapologetically himself. He did what Peyton was afraid to do these whole 25y. The way the relationship between all three of them was built leaves in the readers a feeling of slow, sensual and alluring dance. A dance of undeniably hot and spicy attraction that gradually turns into love, acceptance and new level of intimate trust.

Read, enjoy and savour this so intricately written and finely tuned story.

How not to admire the strength, ambition and bright intelligence of a woman who has achieved everything on her own; who has defied all odds; who has overcome all the difficulties and hard blows of life without losing her soft, loving, passionate, caring and considerate nature. Maddie is an impressive character with brains, backbone and enough fire and determination to carve a place for herself, to evolve and triumph in spite of the challenges that come her way.

This is a very interesting omegaverse story with the familiar alpha, beta, omega designations, but...There is a big BUT here!!! The author has managed to break the typical and traditional we are used to read through her own prism, leave a unique mark and surprising twist.

And the topping of all this wonderful cake is that I had the pleasure to follow the forming of Maddie's pack;how all these unique bonds, relationships and friendships merge and compliment each other, add flavours and quirks.

And one of the most important things for me as a poly reader is that there wasn't a main character left behind and neglected. The author gave Kelvin, Griffin, Lucas, Ryan and Alain ways to shine and contribute to the new pack and the story without taking the attention from the core - Maddie...
I received an ARC for free in return for my honest review.

One of the best books is one that leaves a mark on you long after you've closed the last page. And this one has definitely gathered countless emotions that cannot be forgotten. All the beautiful and the ugly, the rejection and the doubts, the fear and pain, the love and forgiveness, blend together in shards that cut so deep, they scar the soul for life but in the open gapping wound blossom the seeds of new hope and a chance of new life.
Someone like Devin - recovering addict - know how much in blood and flesh costs a chance like this, a thread of new life stretched so thin, it's almost transparent in its delicate fragility. For as long as he could remember, his life is running, hiding and learning the art of being invisible to be able to survive. Until one day that isn't enough and he has to jump blindly in the dark, put the last crumbs of trust in his best friend and believe that would be enough not to crash and burn.
And this is the story of Devin and Chase - like an ugly duckling turning into a breathtaking swan, their bond heals, develops and grows in strength and depth.