Reviews

Review: Forces of Nature

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Forces of NatureForces of Nature by Lily Grace
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

While I found An Angel for Christmas to be utterly delightful, Forces of Nature feels very meh to me. The story is decent and gives a happy ending to some friends secretly in love with each other but I sadly got bored with the couple right before they had sex and even good gay loving couldn’t re-engage my interest. The writing is decent, though I think Grace has gotten better, and this is likely to appeal to those who love the friends turned lovers theme.

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Review: ‘Til Kingdom Come

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'Til Kingdom Come‘Til Kingdom Come by Evangeline Anderson
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I like EA but her books tend to be all over the spectrum. Some are great, some are horrible, some are just ok. I’m never sure where a particular book will end up but I keep trying since I do like the author. For TKC, the fantasy concept is decent, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The magic healing of sex makes the story kind of ridiculous and completely over the top. I can appreciate some outrageous antics for the sake of humor or the story, this is just so ridiculous I kept rolling my eyes and wanting to throw the book. When the characters have to have sex to save them over and over and over again, the story just becomes so silly you can’t enjoy it.

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Review: Waterways

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WaterwaysWaterways by Kyell Gold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book by Gold I’ve read and I think this author has a real knack for clever, interesting stories. The anthropomorphic world he creates is vibrant, engaging, and fresh even while at the heart the stories are simply about a boy meeting a boy and struggling to come out and mature. These young adult stories are warm and charming, even more so with the animal element. I’ve heard some readers say they’re put off by this very detail but I urge readers to take a chance, I think you’ll find this is as romantic and delightful as any contemporary ya m/m romance. Continue reading →

Review: Permanent Ink

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Permanent InkPermanent Ink by Jaime Samms
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This short story plays off a minor character from “Goodbye Scrooge.” You don’t need to read the previous book at all as there is little to no cross over. Instead this new story focuses on giving a happy ending to an odd couple. The writing is decent and the story has all the right elements: complex characters, minor tension, a graphic sex scene, supporting friends, and so on but it never came together for me. Instead I finished the story glad it was over and not particularly caring for the main couple. I actually liked the m/f couple better. Continue reading →

Review: The Boy Next Door

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The Boy Next DoorThe Boy Next Door by Kate McMurray
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Boy Next Door is a cute premise that just didn’t capture my attention. The characters have some good depth and the writing is perfunctory. There are several themes that are likely to appeal to fans and some nice use of tension. The conflict is kept real and believable throughout the story, so much so I didn’t actually buy into the happy ending and resolution. Unfortunately there are many issues left hanging as well with the hope that together the two men can get through them. Unfortunately I don’t really believe they will so that combined with a few other issues just killed my enjoyment. Continue reading →

Review: First Impressions

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First ImpressionsFirst Impressions by Josephine Myles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ll admit this short story had me at the opening line. “When ugly socks attract” just sounds fun and interesting. The story definitely lives up to that expectation with an entertaining and really enjoyable narrative. The short length is well used here to entice readers and leave them satisfied. As with any short I like I want more and that’s true here but I think the author does a really good job with this length and delivers a warm romance within the allotted pages. Definitely one to pick up for those that like short stories.

Read the whole review at Three Dollar Bill Reviews HERE!

Review: Catalyst

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CatalystCatalyst by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catalyst is a hardcore BDSM story filled with tension and emotion. The characters are flawed, human, and very complex. The BDSM kink featured – in this case blood play – is woven intricately into the story. It’s essential to the characters, their dynamic, their obsessions, and ultimately their failure or success as a couple. The complexity of the men is what elevates the story from being simply a heavy BDSM erotica into an angst filled emotional journey. The writing is somewhat languid but with each story I read by this duo it gets tighter and crisper. I personally like Catalyst more than anything I’ve read by these authors and easily recommend it to readers. Continue reading →

Review: Taking you Home

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Taking you HomeTaking you Home by Cooper Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taking You Home is the sequel to the wonderful Boys of Summer. You can easily read this novel without the first one but you get more context if you read both so it’s recommended but definitely not required. The sequel is written in much the same vein as the original story where the conflict isn’t internal but external. The conflict isn’t within the relationship – nor was it last time – but now that Hunter is over his issues being labeled as gay, the two have to get Max’s family over the issues as well. To that end the story is very, very sweet and very, very romantic. Almost too much so in that the language is over the top. Everything is soul affecting, so wonderful it makes you cry, and there is so much love every moment is magical. That’s not a bad thing and reader reaction is going to vary based on how sweet they want their story. Continue reading →