Free Fall was the perfect conclusion to the Wilde Boys duo, a breathtaking story that was equal parts deeply romantic Narration: 5 Stars Story: 5 Stars
Free Fall was the perfect conclusion to the Wilde Boys duo, a breathtaking story that was equal parts deeply romantic & steamy, Sara Cate really knows how to write a damn good book ya'll!
It's near impossible to talk about this story without slight spoilers for the end of Gravity & I highly, highly suggest starting there to get the full scope of things, so proceed with caution! I had complicated feelings about Nash in Gravity, but I absolutely fell in love with him throughout Free Fall. Cate's depiction of Nash coming to terms with his sexuality was honest, raw, & not always pretty, but it felt incredibly real, especially given he's still dealing with the loss of his brother & Zara choosing Alistair over him. & I loved that both Hanna & Ellis were equally as complex - no one was cookie cutter perfect here & it made for such a beautiful, unique dynamic. This was my first MMF romance & I just adored how these three really completed each other, Hanna really being the glue that held everyone together. & god I just loved Ellis, huge shoutout to his narrator, Aiden Snow - holy shit ya'll, HIS VOICE! Deep, raspy, sexy, to say I was shook when he started speaking would be an understatement ...more
If you're looking for a fast-paced, fun, salacious story that'll get you out of the real world for a few hours, lookNarration: 5 Stars Story: 4.5 Stars
If you're looking for a fast-paced, fun, salacious story that'll get you out of the real world for a few hours, look no further than Sara Cate's Gravity - this was escapism at its finest!
This was my very first Sara Cate book & I'm an instant fan! I was immediately pulled in, this setup is wild ya'll - all sorts of shenanigans go down on Del Rey! Cate's writing was fantastic, I loved that each of the three main characters had a really distinct voice & were dealing with their own set of issues. I wasn't expecting this to examine loss as much as it did & I was pleasantly surprised, it was interesting seeing how grief played into Zara, Nash & Alistair's decision-making throughout. The steam in this was absolutely next-level, one scene in particular really had me clutching my pearls ...more
I finally did it - I finally picked up a Tessa Bailey book & ya'll, I'm obsessed! I'm so, so glad this was my introdNarration: 5 Stars Story: 4.5 Stars
I finally did it - I finally picked up a Tessa Bailey book & ya'll, I'm obsessed! I'm so, so glad this was my introduction to her work, this was cute, fun, & really sexy - I need a Milo in my life!
I saw that this was Bailey's first time writing a MM romance & I have to say, she did an amazing job! I thought both Renner & Milo were written incredibly well, each of them had such distinct personalities & I loved seeing them mesh together. Their chemistry was off the charts, their banter was hilarious, & the steam - THE STEAM! That dressing room scene had me sweating! ...more
Heartwarming, hilarious, sexy, & tender, Chip Pons' You & I, Rewritten encompasses the very best of what the romance genre has to offer - what an incrHeartwarming, hilarious, sexy, & tender, Chip Pons' You & I, Rewritten encompasses the very best of what the romance genre has to offer - what an incredible debut!
Every so often I'll pick up a book & am reminded of why I love romance so much, & Chip's debut did exactly that. I absolutely adored Will & Graham, they had amazing chemistry & great banter (& a big yes to all of the open & honest communication) - & the sexual tension between those two! Chip didn't shy away from the steam at all, the anticipation & buildup to shenanigans finally happening made everything that much hotter. & while the steam was definitely top tier, this book had a huge emotional punch I wasn't expecting at all - there were many deep, poignant moments that brought me to tears more than once, I know how deeply personal those topics are to Chip & I think he handled the heavier issues with care & grace. I also really loved the emphasis on the importance of OwnVoices books within the publishing industry, a message more publishers should take note of. & of course, I've got to give a shoutout to Klair, the best friend all of us need in our lives - she was truly the best!
Chip - I'm so, so proud of you, you've created such a beautiful story, easily one of my favorite queer romances of the year. I'm so honored to call you a friend, the acknowledgements made me cry even harder than the book did. Cheers to you & to You & I, Rewritten, & I hope you have the happiest of pub days - I know you've got such a bright future as an author ahead of you!...more
C'mon frat boys with hearts of gold, I need a Chad in my life!
I was in a fraternity when I was an undergrad & have lowkey been giving the side eye to C'mon frat boys with hearts of gold, I need a Chad in my life!
I was in a fraternity when I was an undergrad & have lowkey been giving the side eye to these frat boy romances, but Saxon James, you've totally changed my tune - this was so much fun, truthfully some of the most fun I've ever had reading a romance. Bailey & Chad had amazing chemistry & their banter was hilarious - the snark was on point here, they had me laughing out loud numerous times (especially Chad, what a gem). The King of Thieves game was really fun to follow & a great way to carry the romance along throughout. This was a super low-angst, pure entertainment & shenanigans kind of book, there wasn't really too big of a conflict & there didn't need to be. It was just really adorable, super steamy (the ♋️ was just ...more
I haven't read too many second chance romances yet, but in my opinion everythiNarration: 5 Stars Story: 5 Stars
Sierra Simone - this was a masterpiece.
I haven't read too many second chance romances yet, but in my opinion everything about this was perfection, a slow burn that felt both epic & intimate in scope - we got enough backstory that it made the angst & longing between Aiden & Elijah feel believable & real without ever detracting from their relationship in the present. This was one of the best, & most honest, depictions of anxiety & depression I've ever come across, I saw so, so much of myself in Aiden & completely understood the reasons behind why he made certain choices. & I loved that we got so much of Elijah's POV, that really elevated this book above the rest of the series for me. The steam was top tier, as always, but this story is about so much more than sex. This was so deep & emotional, these conversations - about religion, sexuality, race, mental health - & the way they were approached was so beautiful & refreshing to see, especially in a romance revolving around queer men. Simone just writes men so incredibly well - these are all flawed yet relatable guys who strive to be better & do better for those around them (but Aiden is definitely my favorite Bell brother). & again, I repeat - Jacob Morgan, sir, you can read me anything & everything!
Saint was the entire reason I decided to pick up the Priest series & it didn't disappoint at all, this is going down as one of my all-time, all-time favorite queer romances. I'm sad that the series is done for now, but I can't wait to read Father Jordan & Ryan's stories! ...more
(Mini-Review) When Finn draws Hunter Holliday's name for their company's secret santa exchange, he couldn't be unhappier - he loathes Hunter & doesn't(Mini-Review) When Finn draws Hunter Holliday's name for their company's secret santa exchange, he couldn't be unhappier - he loathes Hunter & doesn't understand why he won't leave him alone. But when Hunter tells Finn that all he wants for Christmas is one night with him, shenanigans ensue. This was exactly what I was looking for in a quick, queer holiday read - it was cute, there was great chemistry between our two MCs, & it had some really good steam! This was my first time picking up a book by Baylin Crow & I'm really into the way she writes her characters, I loved the banter between Finn & Hunter - I've got to check out more of her work! Definitely recommend picking this up if you're in the mood for something Christmas-y that's fun, light & steamy....more
If you've got a thing for apocalyptic horror, Jeremy Ray's The Gatherings is the short story for you! Talk about a genre departure from the adorable TIf you've got a thing for apocalyptic horror, Jeremy Ray's The Gatherings is the short story for you! Talk about a genre departure from the adorable The House Plant!
In all honesty, I've been kind of hesitant with this subgenre lately because it's a little too close to COVID for my own liking, but this was so out there & phantasmagorical at times that I had zero issues whatsoever. I'm a big fan of survival horror & I liked that this was basically part-apocalypse/part-survival horror. I was getting major Hands Across America vibes from the gatherings themselves, & anything cultish automatically gives me the creeps (& Us did Hands Across America absolutely no favors in that regard, lol). I love that Jeremy just leaned into full blown horror tropes here - the imagery was really something else! I want to keep things relatively general because I was pretty surprised at how this all played out, but know it's definitely horror & borders on creature feature territory. This was definitely one of the most unique apocalyptic tales I've ever read!
If you're looking to read something quick & spooky, I highly suggest checking this out! I've been really impressed with Jeremy's short stories & I can't wait to see what else he has up his sleeve!...more
I think it's extremely fitting that Jeremy Ray brought up Pixar prior to the start of his short story, because that's exactly the vibe The House PlantI think it's extremely fitting that Jeremy Ray brought up Pixar prior to the start of his short story, because that's exactly the vibe The House Plant reminded me of!
This was, by far, one of the most beautiful short stories I've ever read. I'd seen this popping up around bookstagram & was really curious, but when Jeremy reached out asking if I'd give it go, I figured what better time to dive in? I've been really into novellas & short stories lately, & this is a perfect example as to how a great, effective story can be told in a shorter number of pages. I'm still a little shook by how emotional this had me - I went from laughing at George's thoughts about Brenda & her plant caretaking skills to having tears in my eyes multiple times, & I definitely had myself a good little cry at the end (I'm a total Cancer, so goes with the territory, lol). This was such a moving & poignant story, one that reminds you to stop & appreciate both the little things that bring you joy in your own daily life, no matter how big or small, & those who care for you & love & support you.
I'd highly, highly encourage everyone to give this a read, even if you're not the biggest fan of short stories! I'm really curious to see what Jeremy's horror short stories are like!...more
I downloaded this completely on a whim because (1) it was free; (2) I'm a sucker for a good quick queer romance; and (3) I know Annabeth Albert has a I downloaded this completely on a whim because (1) it was free; (2) I'm a sucker for a good quick queer romance; and (3) I know Annabeth Albert has a big following & I've yet to read one of her books - well, I'm so glad I did, because this was really good!
Annabeth Albert & Wendy Qualls really know how to turn up the steam! I was pleasantly surprised by how sex positive the book was (the chemistry between Randall & Hunter was great), especially in comparison to some more widely marketed gay romances I've been reading. The storyline was really cute, too - I'm not typically too keen on the whole virgin trope, but it worked well here. I really liked how, for a story that took place mostly within one weekend, this wasn't a case of insta-love - the characters had a quick but natural progression with their relationship that felt real.
All in all, this was a really entertaining novella that was cute & steamy, exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up. If you're in the mood for something quick & fun, I'd definitely recommend this - I'm looking forward to checking out more from Annabeth & Wendy!
Also, I just loved this quote: Love isn't a risk. It's not an equation to be weighed or a gamble to be bet on. It's a chance, one that not everyone gets. And when you get that chance, you should do everything possible to go for it....more
This was amazing, a gay coming-of-age story set in the Australian Outback that was both beautiful & devastating - I don't think I've ever rea4.5 Stars
This was amazing, a gay coming-of-age story set in the Australian Outback that was both beautiful & devastating - I don't think I've ever read anything quite like this!
The Nowhere reads somewhat like a cross between contemporary fiction & young adult, Chris Gill is truly a talented writer who pulls you in right from the first page. The multiple timelines worked well here - this had an air of mystery to it, the mantra repeated throughout continuously had me on edge trying to figure out what exactly had happened in the past. There are a ton of heavy topics covered here, but they were done so with grace - main CWs being physical & emotional abuse and homophobia, particularly internalized homophobia. As a line in the book states, things aren't often black & white & I feel like Chris did a great job of conveying the complexities of the characters & their situations, especially with the relationship between Seb & his father. The ending really hit me like a ton of bricks & I think this strikes up a ton of important conversations.
I highly, highly recommend this - a huge thank you to Brett (@bretts.book.stack) for putting this on my radar as Queer Your Shelves' March 2021 pick! I'm really looking forward to reading more of Chris' work, can't wait to see what comes next!...more
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