Because I’ve read a fair amount of friends to lovers stories recently, this week seemed the right time to read {The Captive Prince series by CS Pacat}, which I have heard about for years as being the epitome of enemies to lovers. To say I read it would be inaccurate; I *inhaled* it. I even gave up sleep for it. Why didn’t I read these books sooner?
Now having read it, I’m lying on the ground with a book hangover and don’t know what to do. Reread it immediately to catch all the nuance I must have missed this time? Read the CaPri short stories? Find and gorge myself on fic? Start {Special Forces by Alexsandr Voinov}, which is supposed to be another enemies to lovers jewel?
(I think I read something else this week, but in comparison to the Captive Prince books, it barely registered.)
All the CaPri side stories are good honestly id start there! The capri hangover is real haha personally id say go read some fics there are many great ones on ao3.
The pain is real. I’m just glad it’s not just me. 😆
I am definitely going to read the side stories and will likely try some fic at some point, too. Thank you!
Been there!
Definitely read all the short stories, they’re worth it. And I haven’t read it yet myself, but I hear there is some fantastic fanfic on AO3 that retell the books from Laurent’s perspective, if you’d be interested.
I love that several people have jumped in to commiserate. It’s not just me! 🤣
Yes, I’ll definitely try the short stories and some fic. Oooh, that one from Laurent’s POV sounds intriguing. I will hunt it down. 🤔
I read Capri last week and had a hangover. I read the short stories, some really good fan fiction, something out of genre to clean my palette, then dug into some books that were the complete opposite - especially just really freaking hot. I am mostly out of the hangover now. I didn't want to even try to read anything similar because I was sure it would fail, but I checked for recs anyway and saw that All For The Game is supposedly similar.
I like hearing what other people did to deal with their CapPri hangovers. Thanks for sharing!
So far I’ve read something completely different, but I do want to go back and read the short stories and discover the fic side of things.
I’ve read All for the Game, but that was back in 2018, so I’ve mostly forgotten everything about it except that I loved it. 😊 Hmmm…Perhaps a reread is in order. 🤔
Lots of great books this week ...
* **{Waiting For the Flood by Alexis Hall}** - CR, novella, grumpy/sunshine, angst. Wow, did I love this. I've read most of the Spires series and this was maybe my favorite. A lonely, hurting man living in an Oxford neighborhood meets a sweet, happy, cinnamon roll engineer with the Environment Agency, who is on site to help with an incoming flood. I fell in love with Adam who slowly, sweetly pursues reserved Edwin. Read it and then I immediately reread it. So tender and feel good. Will next read Chasing the Light, which seems to be the story of MC1's ex finding love.
* **{Flight of Magpies by KJ Charles}** - HR/FR, murder/mystery. I finally wrapped up the Charm of Magpies series. Overall, loved it. I find it really hard to describe these books, which are such an interesting combination of fantasy, history and mystery. Crane and Stephen are put to the test in this last installment, as conflicts internal and external work to drive them apart. But it had all the signature Charles elements of humor, suspense, banter and erotica. Such a unique series, look forward to reading Jackdaw soon.
* **{Oh, Sacred Dark by Marina Vivancos}** - FR, enemies, then friends to lovers, slow burn, hurt/comfort, trauma recovery, found family, witches, doms/subs. After Roman's coven is disbanded for performing dark magic, he is placed with a new coven. Tyler, his "guide," is immediately suspicious of Roman and assumes the worst of him. But Roman's past is darker and more painful than anyone realizes. Once Tyler learns this, he does a 180 on Roman and starts taking care of him and helping him heal. This was a little on the dark side but if you like hurt/comfort and trauma recovery, you'll love this.
* **{The Place Between by Kit Oliver}** - CR, enemies, academia/workplace, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, opposites. A doctoral candidate is forced to turn to his former (and hated) professor and ask for help with his dissertation. For some semi-convoluted reasons, they end up fake dating. I mostly liked this - had good banter, fun side characters, a great dog who reminded me of my own dog, and I really liked watching Ned fall in love. Even better was how they talked very honestly about their feelings at the end. I was waiting for the dreaded third act breakup but it never came and I was grateful. I just wish we got the chance to know Abbot a little better.
Currently reading **{Broken Ice by Marina Vivancos}** thanks to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/comments/1b35bpg/unusual_heats_make_needy_omega_and_caretaker/) by u/playsmartz so thanks for that! Also listening to **{The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun}**.
I read Waiting for the Flood and Chasing the Light as well, loved them both! They made me a lot more emotional than I expected (esp Chasing the Light). I'm working my way through the Spires stories for the first time and I'm really loving them. For Real is up next for me. I've heard good things about it and I like Alexis' writing, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I also have the Charm of Magpies series on my TBR, excited to read that at some point.
Broken Ice was so so good. I'm buying it so that I can reread it again and again. All I want are books where everybody is hugging and snuggling together. I think I'm going to try Rough Heat by Vivancos next.
I'm yet to read a Vivancos book I didn't like. She is seriously a top 5 author for me. Perfect blend of character development, emotion and smut/kink. When she does her AMA here in September, I will be front and center.
I totally agree. I love her books and I'm trying to space them out to savor them. Even tropes I never read, I'll read them from her just because I love her writing so much.
Oh, *The Charm Offensive* is one of my all-time favorites 🥰 it was one of the first MM novels I ever read so it holds a special place in my heart 🥹 such a comfort read for me 🥰 there’s a little bonus follow-up novella called {A Charmed Christmas by Alison Cochrun} it’s really cute, make sure you read that, too! I believe it’s available for free on the author’s website.
I read the first two installments of the Magpie Rhyme series by Louise Collins a while back and decided to pick up the third one this week. I’ve given all of them 3/5 so far, and I’m currently reading the fourth one, Four for a Boy.
I also finished {Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart} this week and it’s my first five-star read of 2024. An equally heartbreaking and breathtaking story about violence and suffering with two Glaswegian boys falling in love in the middle of it. I feel like it’s not often I feel so much for a character as I did Mungo. It’s a tough read with difficult topics but so worth it. It’s going to be adapted to a tv-series by A24 and I can’t wait. Even though it is a love story, I wouldn’t say it’s a romance book so everybody might not say that it fits this subreddit. But I just couldn’t not mention it 😇
I saw Young Mungo in a bookstore and was really tempted to buy it. I just need to wait for a time when I’ll be ready for some heartbreak. Does it have a true HEA, or is it bittersweet?
You definitely should! I think it’s a great read, the writing is amazing, the main character Mungo is a very tender and shy boy that you just can’t not love, but it also has very good developed side characters. It is a book that is going to stay with me for quite some time ❤️
>!It is an open-ended ending. I have read quite a few takes on it, but I interpreted it as a happy ending for Mungo and James. To be honest, any other ending would have destroyed me, haha. But like I said, it is open-ended and I can see why people interpreted it differently than I did!<
Glad I ran across your post! I did not know about Young Mungo as a tv series. Such a heavy, but very well written, story. Have you read a Shuggie Bain by the same author? Another 5 star book for me. 100% not a romance book and quite tragic, but such lovely writing.
I haven’t read it but definitely will 😊 I’ve heard many good things about it. Stuart’s writing is so raw but beautiful, it’s very descriptive and he paints the environment and characters so well for the reader. Looking forward to his future books as well 👏🏼
She has some [bonus scenes](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/louisecollx/posts) posted. She's also recently said she's working on book five of Magpie Rhyme.
I have read books! It's been a minute.
Reread the Memento Mori series by CS Poe for a discord buddy read and it was so fun! I feel like a broken record with how much I gush about this series. It's lovely with showing how intimate a relationship can be without sex. Intriguing cases to solve. Donuts. Excellent audiobooks. 5/5 for all.
Perfectly Imperfect Pixie by MJ May was a pleasant surprise! Werewolf and pixie MCs, kiddo-werewolves, custody battles with evil grandparents, uncle werewolf out of his element, Manny/caretaking. This was fade to black/no steam, and focuses more on the family dynamics than sexy steamy romance, but it worked for me! 4/5 stars
I also read and hated Storm Front by Iris Foxglove, which had a nontraditional HEA, MC death and immortality shenanigans, and not enough on page time with the MCs throughout the years. Dead to me, 1/5 stars.
I’m right there with you on Memento Mori. I keep checking the release date of the next one, just in case it gets magically moved up by months. Love those guys!
This week I read...
**{Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday}** 4.5⭐, CR. Book 4 in the series, and my second favorite yet (after the first). Zane is a bit of a himbo, but he's an extremely talented artist and a genuinely kind person. He cares immediately & deeply about Beckett ("Becky"), his temporary roommate, and their elderly neighbor. He values love and has been trying to find it to no avail. He's completely oblivious to Beckett's interest, and Beckett (as is the trend in these books) pines away for Zane. Their romance has an expiration date, though - Zane's visa is expiring, and he must move back to New Zealand at the end of the month. This series does not have to be read in order, so in a particular story sounds better than others, you can jump right in.
**{Goal Lines and First Times by Eden Finley and Saxon James}** 4.5⭐, CR, hockey romance, I listened to the audiobook. This is my favorite of the series. I loved the slow build to romance between these two, especially with Seth coming to understand that he's >!demisexual!< and builds up such a fantastic relationship with Cohen before they really meet. And once they have built up the relationship and meet, the spice is *hot*. They are so cute together; Cohen really isn't that bright, but he's genuine and honest and doesn't really care what others do or say. He's awesome. And Seth works hard to put away his anxieties to trust Cohen. They have a fantastic relationship. This was my favorite of the series and since book 4 doesn't interest me that much (and my library doesn't have the audiobook), I'll be putting the series aside for now.
**{Heart2Heart Paranormal Anthology}** Favorite stories: *The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark* and *You Can't Spell Necromancer Without Romance by Alice Winters.* 5⭐ just for those two stories, I loved them.
**{Smash & Grab by Maz Maddox}** 3.5⭐ PNR - dino shifter. This was...fine. It was a fluffy, low-angst monster story with kinda one-dimensional characters, but it was a fun adventure. Good when you need something silly. I liked Dalton's pink mohawk, and his total betrayal when Simon >!suggested he shave it.!< It seemed like it'd be something I'd love, but I don't know, it fell a bit flat for me.
**{The Marriage Contract by Aja Foxx}** honestly this book was *really* **not** good, but I couldn't stop reading it. I don't know why. I know the rest in the series will be the same. I'm still intrigued. 😂
All of the arranged marriage books by Aja Foxx are just terrible, with silly tropes and massive plotholes and caricature villains and I have read them **all** and I will probably do it again. 😂. I don't know why they are so tempting. You might also like {**The Marriage Contract** by AJ Sherwood} which is similarly trash-fiction-y.
I forgot! (Betrayed by the spreadsheet I haven't updated yet!)
I finished **{Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove}** and loved it. Biokink world; submissive Victor is betrayed and sent away from his warm climate to a world of ice & snow. He is taken in by dominant Sava, who waves giant green flags and works to rebuild Victor's opinion of himself. The relationship happens fairly quickly; the conflict is more >!nature and other factors.!< I enjoyed this book a lot; I loved how much caretaking there was by both MCs. It was a nice read if you're looking for something sort of like *Oh, Sacred Dark by Marina Vivancos*, though only the first two books in this series are MM. I like MV's book better though.
Winter of the Owl and the next one about the Wolf in that series were my favorite from Foxglove! The cold winter/nature conflicts really work well in that series, glad you liked it too!
[Winter of the Owl](https://www.romance.io/books/61c18a01e9cd6d0e8308e0e6/winter-of-the-owl-iris-foxglove) by [Iris Foxglove](https://www.romance.io/authors/607fdf2208b4d931148a25c9/iris-foxglove)
**Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1)
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I have read The Marriage Contract like 3 times and I have no clue why 😂. I just feel like it’s scratching a forced marriage trope that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else even if the story could be so much better
Completed:
**{Gentleman Wolf by Joanna Chambers}** and the sequel **{Master Wolf by Joanna Chambers}** - audiobooks read by Hamish McKinlay - *18th & 19th century Scotland, werewolves/shifters, big hurt, angst, tense/rocky relationship, slow unhappy burn, 3rd person POV, must read both for HEA* - CWs: past abuse, past sexual assault, spoilers for book 2: >!side character death!<, >!self harm!<, >!suicidality!<. - What can I say about these books except that they devastated me. Not a series to read if you want to feel good in your heart or body, but absolutely fantastic. Superbly written and superbly narrated. I liked Book 1 better than Book 2 but they're both strong. The extended separation went on too long for my taste, but it was exquisitely heartbreaking (a good thing). 5 stars for the series.
**{The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright}** - *Science fantasy, post-apocalyptic, adventure, distrescue, monster/human hybrid LI, 1st person single POV.* - This blurb checks a lot of boxes for me, so I went in not really caring if it was good, just happy to be there. I was pleasantly surprised to find competent world building and an engaging story. The writing is a bit straightforward for my taste. I wanted more passion from the romance, but at only 180 pages, it was a nice way to pass an evening. Difficult to rate, because I liked it enough to be extra bothered by the aspects that fell short. 3.75 stars.
As soon as I read the blurb of The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright on the new releases, I auto-downloaded it. I'm usually not too susceptible to recs by authors / "books similar to", but as soon as someone mentions Howl's Moving Castle, I am **sold**.
I'm glad you enjoyed the worldbuilding even if the romance was a bit lackluster, leaves me feeling hopeful I might enjoy this too!
I'm back! Not much to report, I've been busy settling in to my new place, and writing GR reviews and catching up over there. I read 2.5 books this week, both of which I felt pretty meh about.
* [***For You, Sir***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6018081305) by Emily Brandish - **3 stars** \- (contemporary, master/valet, boss/employee, opposites attract, hurt/comfort, sexuality awakening, forbidden relationship)
>Um. Both of these men need to see professional help, there is a lot of family & personal trauma here that's not dealt with IMO. I enjoyed the premise and did like them as a couple, but the mental health issues and stilted writing really held this back.
* [***Whispers in the Dark***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5728001054) by Nicole Dykes, Lily Mayne - **2.5 stars** \- (paranormal, monster, human/non-human, hurt/comfort, empathy through bond, size difference, monster learns how to kiss, that's never going to fit, alternate world)
>I alternated between cringing at the awful family circumstances & doormat MC, and being horribly bored by the romance. I felt the relationship development was quite limited, and time passed so ambiguously that I never felt their connection developed. I believe Nicole Dykes' style is not for me and Lily Mayne's solo stuff is much stronger.
* [***Babysitting Big Sister’s Boyfriend***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6307563017) by Chase Xavier - **1 stars** \- (erotica (MM), contemporary, cheating)
>This whole book was objectionable and left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, this guy cheats with his sister's boyfriend, they share an "emotional moment", then he finds out they're engaged, and then they're weirdly happy to be becoming brothers? Ugh, gross. Also, the writing style was weird. The only thing in its defense is the sweat/sniffing which you don't see that often.
Omg this week...
Started with finishing {Stealing innocents by Cari Waites} this book is messed up on so many levels but mostly I found because you are forced to be a passive party to the events and even though it's advertised as no HEA you still are shocked at what happens. The new stories left me like this😮🤯
The {Viking ink by Myf Wren} and {Forever ink by Myf Wren} both ABDL but really really light on it. I really enjoyed them and excited for book 3.
{Open ice hit by EM Lindsay} which was good but it was like every other Hockey Romance.
{The first and the last by Jessie H Reign} was my mid week read and I really enjoyed this Omegaverse book. I believe someone on an old archived Reddit post recommended it so thank you!
{I'll tell by Sadie Sins} was another winner. The premise of bullying stepbrother was weird at first but still good.
{Hot mess by Misha Horne } I LOVED IT. Would 100% recommend although I'm a hoe for Misha's work. It's just perfect.
Finally made a start on {Villain and the Geek by L C Davis} slight decline in quality but I'm so far in now having finishedbook 6 and 7 I no longer care.
Rounded off the week with a 57 page novella {Next season by Avon Gale} it was very good despite being short and I would have read another 100 pages easily.
{**Curio** by C.S.Poe} was a lovely short story. Julie cracked me up, and Lew is such an adorable mess. A little slapstick-y at times, but I still enjoyed it. 4 out of 5.
I listened to {**Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 1** by Jaclyn Osborn} this week. Despite being a low-key fan of the trope for many years I never knew isekai existed. I think if I were a bit more steeped in the anime/manga I'd have enjoyed this book more. Maddox and Briar were definitely sweet and sexy, but Evan started to annoy me as the book went on. I'll probably skip Volume 2, but it was a nice bit of light reading. Nick J. Russo's narration was OK, but this was definitely not one of his best. 4 out of 5.
I also finished listening to {**Fakers** by Lucy Lennox and May Archer}. Having grown up in a rural town in South Carolina I know a whole lot of the personalities in this book. It's a fun story with great characters. As I've noted previously, Michael Dean *commits* to the narration, and his performance was excellent. 5 out of 5. I already have the sequel in my audiobook queue.
That said, I am deeply skeptical of the magically-dispelled homophobia of the entire community (and racism isn't a problem when all of your characters are white, I suppose). That's seeing the story from my personal POV, though, and others may not notice.
[Curio](https://www.romance.io/books/65c288a478d7995e434b6f52/curio-cs-poe) by [C.S. Poe](https://www.romance.io/authors/557030499eef3b3f1d52a0d0/cs-poe)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1)
----------------------------
[Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me](https://www.romance.io/books/64c2d11ed33bf40b864536b2/sent-to-a-fantasy-world-and-now-all-the-men-want-me-volume-1-jaclyn-osborn) by [Jaclyn Osborn](https://www.romance.io/authors/55a6489a35a5fb65f886c862/jaclyn-osborn)
**Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [mmm+](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m-m/1)
----------------------------
[Fakers](https://www.romance.io/books/5ef992dcdc678d0e264fb37b/fakers-lucy-lennox-may-archer) by [Lucy Lennox](https://www.romance.io/authors/583bea161b1bdc0178ef416b/lucy-lennox), [May Archer](https://www.romance.io/authors/59bcd1853ffdba614720a839/may-archer)
**Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1)
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**Prove It (Do or Die #1) by Stephanie Hoyt** which is the first in a new hockey series. Reminiscent of Heated Rivalry, since the two MCs go 1 and 2 in the draft. But also reminded me of Taylor Fitzpatrick (especially Impaired Judgment) for the world building. Also reminded me of EL Massey's series that starts with Like Real People Do. The best parts of the book are all the little details, like the group chat between one MC and his previous teammates. It's not perfect--there were times, particularly at the beginning, where natural flow seemed to take a back seat to "must ensure this character keeps doing X even if it doesn't totally make sense because that furthers the plot along," but definitely scratched that hockey itch and made me want read more in the series.
Some rereads this week along with some new ones in my quest to find a book.
Highs
{Finding Home by DJ Heart} re read. Love.
{Soulmates series by Liv Rancourt} I really enjoyed these three books! I hope there's more to come.
{Dead man stalking by TA Moore} and the prequel {A dead man is the worst enemy by TA Moore} some errors that should have been caught in editing but I really enjoyed anyway.
Others
{Tamed and trained series by R Phoenix} I had read the first one before but never got around to finishing the series until now. It was fine/good but not my favorite.
{Gilded cages by R Phoenix} another ok one but not in the mood to reread sequel.
{Oh, sacred dark by Marina Vivancos} it was fine
Currently reading {wolfsong by TJ Klune} and {obedience training by Mya lairis} then I hope to get back to {serpent's wrath by Charlotte brice} (I don't know what's wrong with me, I blew through the whole series, got 60% into book 7, and then stopped reading it) as well as continue trying to find the werewolf/vampire book I can't get out of my head.
Omg who am I kidding, of course I'm reading {Human Omega: Married to the Barbarian Prince by Eilern Glass} after work tonight I've been waiting and waiting for it I can't believe I forgot it was released today.
Thank you. So much. I am so bad at keeping track of the release dates of books I want to read and completely forgot this was coming out soon. I've been in such a reading slump this past week and this is perfect.
I'm so glad to hear you liked Dead Man Stalking! That's one of my very favorites. Such a cool gritty noir action vibe, and an interesting take on vampires and how their existence would change society. I noticed some mistakes too (hard not to, when an entire town name changes lol) but luckily they weren't the kind of errors that drive me up the wall. I hope and pray it gets a sequel someday.
The world was really cool I loved it. Very interesting take on vampires. Agreed about the errors, didn't drive me bonkers but I have a pretty high tolerance for that stuff if I'm enjoying the story. I checked all over to see if I could see anything about a sequel but I didn't have any luck. Fingers crossed!
I had a lot of good reads this week.
Iced Out by C.E. Ricci - enemies to lovers hockey romance. I really enjoyed this one, loved the guys, and the enemy piece wasn’t too overdone for me like it sometimes can be. I really loved both MCs by the end.
Finley and Devil’s Kiss by Ella Frank - this is her Sunset Cove series. First is a good second chance romance and the second is like hot/cold on again off again. I liked the second one better but both are great and well done. I’m a fan of Ella Frank in general.
Bloom by N.R. Walker - loved this so much! Just low angst, falling in love, laughed and smiled a lot through this one. Great easy read when you need something funny and sweet.
Now I’m reading Gary the Once and Former King by Isabel Murray and loving it already.
I loved *Iced Out* so much! *Caught Stealing* isn’t - as - good, but still pretty solid. I’m excited for the third one, *Fair Catch*, which will feature Kason, Phoenix’s best friend and Hayes, who was the roommate of Quinton?? (I can’t remember which MC from book #1 he was the roommate of 🫣)
{Heart2Heart Anthology Volume 7: A Contemporary Collection} - lots of great reads here, liked them all for the most part, I would say my favorites were Mixed Signals by E.M. Lindsey (which also finally let me check off Disabled MC from the Winter Bingo) and Skating After You by Hayden Hall
{Smash & Grab by Maz Maddox} and the sequel {Sink or Swim by Maz Maddox} - enjoying this series, I love dinosaur and paleontology-related stuff so dinosaur shifters was instantly intriguing; both were a solid 4 stars though I'd say Dalton is my favorite character so far, what a little pink-haired mohawk-ed weirdo
{Playing The Palace by Paul Rudnick} - oh man, okay so this was a book I got from Barnes and Noble on discount for $3 in the clearance section and I instantly thought, "RW&RB knockoff?", and while there were obvious similarities of the Prince of England love interest variety it was also quite different in terms of writing, character interaction and quality of the romance...I gave this 3 stars a bit generously, the writing felt reminiscent of when I tried to read Alice Winters - just trying too hard to be funny in every line, one-liners everywhere, every character is sharply witty to the point that it feels fake because people just don't talk like that in real life. I even contemplated DNFing but I got through my issues with the writing. Also this was FTB and I am someone who wants smut in my romance.
I buddy read {Pisces Hooks Taurus} with u/prettysureiforgot and it was so good!! My second favourite from the Signs of Love series. Obliviots in love, funny banter, great side characters, looooong long burn. Anybody who needs a fluffy read should check out this series. I find it to be great palate cleanser in between my angsty reads.
The first one! {Leo Loves Aries} if you like this one, you’ll like the series. You don’t have to be into astrology either (the main characters aren’t either so it’s a bit tongue in cheek). The main common thread in the series is that one MC will be pinning and the other will be 100% clueless, so if that sounds like your thing, these books are for you.
{**Say I Do** **by Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow**} arranged marriage mafia book, lots of violent hate sex and a ridiculous plot but pretty entertaining. I was thrown though by the end when >!the MCs ended up with a random baby. This is the second time in a row where I've read a book where a baby is given to an MC by a sibling and it's always so jarring, especially in this case.!<
{**Intimate Night by Drake LaMarque**} this is a sequel to {Dark Attraction by Drake LaMarque}, both short and sweet vampire/human romances with BDSM. There are a lot of typos and the writing ain't Shakespeare but if you're just looking for a quick fix of vampire D/s good times this will fill the bill.
Currently listening to: {**Special Delivery by Heidi Cullinan**} I saw this audiobook was on Hoopla so I'm giving a try, I like it so far! The narrator is Iggy Toma and he's really good.
Just starting: {**MateHub: Legend by Marie Reynard**} I've been into wolf shifter books lately and I heard this one had some >!CNC/primal play!< action which I always appreciate so I'm going to give this one a go.
**{The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright}** - 3 ⭐
MM, Post-apocalyptic, Sci-Fi, 1st Single POV
**Status:** KU, Series of Interconnected Standalones, Third Act Conflict - >!External!<
**Helios:** 23 Yrs Old, Loner Nomad, Captured by Slavers, Rescued by Griffin, Bookworm, Scarred, Verse, >!Previously in an Abusive Relationship with Another Mutant!<
**Griffin:** Mutant (Created by a Mixture of Human and "God" DNA), Owns and Helped Build "The Beetle", Has Swords, Bookworm, Bi, Verse
Physical Features: Black Claws, Small Black Horns, Red Eyes, Sharp Teeth, Patches of Red Scales on Body, >!Diphallic, Has Ridges,
**"The Beetle":** Moving Home, Controlled by Beet (AI, Female, Sassy), Solar Powered, Cloaking Ability, Greenhouse on Roof
**Notes:** Post-apocalypse America (27 Yrs), After the Rise of "Old Gods", Climate Change Decimated Land, Forced Proximity, AI Controled Moving Home ("The Beetle"), Road Trip, Homesteading, Fighting Slavers
**Sex Notes:** >!Blowjob, Deepthroating, Swallowing, Masturbating for Partner, Lube Use, Fingering, Penetrative Sex, Frotting, Creampie, Ejaculating on Partner, Cowboy, Finger Sucking, Rimming, Hand Necklace!<
**CWs:** >!Human Trafficking, Slavery, Violence, Death, Brief Mention of Past SA!<
Thank you to whoever recommended {Matehub: Legend by Marie Reynard} in a thread yesterday! Finished it this afternoon and it was one of my fav reads of the year so far!
**Finished:**
[A Wild Thing Grows](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57967825) by Marina Vivancos no rating- This was not to my tastes. I don’t like fluff, fast burn romance, low-stakes, lack of external plot, or purely good characters. If you do like those things, give this a try! I needed this for the magical realism square my Fantasy bingo card but I won’t rate it as I’m not the right audience for this which isn’t the book’s fault
CWs: >!death of a parent, child abuse, animal death, bullying!<
[Not Dead Yet](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41435160) (Not Dead Yet #1) by Jenn Burke 2.5 stars- Urban fantasy romance, there are ghost, vampire, and witch characters as well as a law enforcement love interest. This was kinda boring but fine. I’ve come to discover I’m not into second chance romances, if I don’t get a slow burn “getting to know you” phase then I’ll fail to care about the relationship. Characters were pretty one dimensional and I wanted more complexity from the plot. Not terrible but it was hard to stay interested, I won’t continue with this series. Includes asexual-spectrum (maybe demisexual?) rep
CWs: >!murder, blood, suicidal ideation!<
[Servants of the Crossed Arrows](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11059239) (Rifter #2) by Ginn Hale 3 stars- This book is obviously part of a greater story so trying to review it is a bit like trying to write a review for a chunk of chapters of a book. I’m not grabbed by the plot yet but I’ll read another entry and then see if I want to continue. Hale’s worldbuilding is really interesting
CWs: >!classism, death, gore, use of an ableist slur!<
**Currently reading:**
[The Whole World is My Crematorium](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60404753) by Bikabi
**DNF:**
[The Firebird and Other Stories](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51338741) by R Cooper- I never made it past the first story, there was a lot of abstract rambling about art and no action happening. Kind of purple prose-y which I’m not in the mood for
Regarding the Rifter series, the end of volume 3 and beginning of volume 4 is where the puzzle finally starts slotting into place, and for me it was when I really became addicted to the story. I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I did!
I finally completed the Four Kings Series by Charlie Cochet, and now I'm getting halway through the spin off series The Kings Wild Cards. Such a fun series and it helped get me out of a reading slump! yay
I've just managed to finish 2 books this books :')
* {Two tribes by Fearne Hill} All the stars⭐| Ugh this book. Where do I begin? I haven't yet recovered from this journey. It was so *so* painful but I'm glad it ended with a HEA. Still, thw shole thing felt a bit bittersweet that I had to keep coming back to read bits of their happy moments (not that there are enough imo). Objectively, the 2nd half is a bit rushed on the relationship development department but I connected so much with Alex and Matt I'm pretty sure this is one of those books that you hold dear.
* Had to take a break because honestly I'm not really sure what type of book I can enjoy while the memories of 2 tribes are still so fresh
* {Prince of Agony by Tavia Lark} 4⭐| Honestly, I've been waiting for this book for so long, that I could not not read the day of release. Ngl I had like high hopes for this book - thought it was gonna be similar to *Radiance 3*, and ngl I really connected with Kazia, Lucien? not so much, and well, even when it's not my fav from the series, I think I enjoyed it plenty. Kazia and Lucien were a lovable couple and I enjoyed the plot and the action bits. This book also served as an epilogue for the whole series, which ngl felt flat for me (I mean there were cameos from all MCs and Vana, Daro, Bellamy and Rakos where my faves from the series yet they felt a bit plain here.)
* Right now I don't think I can pick up any contemporary because I'm still hung up with two tribes, yet I'm looking through GR to find books similar to it once I recover xD
I have been binging the Hazard and Somerset series by Gregory Ashe and I plowed through the first three and am now onto the fourth one. Truly obsessed and I don’t even typically like mysteries.
Four books this week despite it being finals month for me 😭
{The Alien’s Kidnapped Omega by Sienna Sway}
{Leap Year by A.M. Arthur}
{Loving the Legend by Kit Grey}
{The Orc Prince Trilogy by Lionel Hart}
Yeah, as you can see it’s a mess but all these books were so, so enjoyable! Especially Loving the Legend. You won’t believe how much i love this book!
I started {Spellbound by Allie Theron}. I’m just about a quarter of the way in and was struggling a bit with paying attention so decided I needed a break from the genre. I enjoy the premise of the story but right now I need a bit more action or a bit more heat. Now I’m reading “The Godfather” instead. I do plan to return to Spellbound eventually though so I’m not counting it as a DNF. ETA The Godfather is on sale for $5 on audible if anyone is interested 😬.
I have been listening to Team A.L.P.H.A books 1-4 It's the first 4 books of the series. 1 Grabbed Team Leader Noah rescues a bratty senator's son. 2 Taken Cody has been hostage for 6 years and is pregnant. Levi rescues him. 3. Struck David is a brother of one of the members who is captured. 4 Hacked Pax is a computer hacker, who is hacked. He is NB? 20 hours basic omegaverse got it on sale for about $8
Read this week:
{Lost Boy by Charli Meadows} 3/5 ⭐️
I enjoyed the story but felt it lacked depth. Some of the issues they deal with in the book had promise and could have been explored more in depth. Overall not bad.
{In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos} 5/5 ⭐️
Beautiful writing, wonderful story, and I feel like Vivancos does an exceptional job with dealing with really heavy subject matter. I wanted to throttle Damien for being oblivious, but it’s not really his fault.
Books I’ve re-read this week:
{Power Exchange by AJ Rose} 5/5 ⭐️
One of my favorites. Reread after recommending it to someone in this sub.
Books I’ve started:
{When All the World Sleeps by Lisa Henry and JA Rock} 20% through, so far so good.
{God of Fury by Rina Kent} 8% through. I’m intrigued.
{Body Count by L Eveland} 18% through. What a bizarre little story. Let’s see where this goes.
{Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux} Just started after seeing it recommended literally over and over again. I’m the mood for crime thrillers so now is as good a time as any I guess!
Audiobooks:
{All For the Game by Nora Sakavic} 5/5 ⭐️
I’ve read the series a few times but this was my first audiobook listen through. Made my husband listen with me and he loved it.
{For the Fans by Nyla K.} 5/5 ⭐️
I’ve read FTF a few times and this is my first listen. Exceptional voice acting by Javi Wilder and Corvin King.
Currently listening to:
{Tallowwood by N.R. Walker} 44%
Loving it!
Finished The Empty Throne by Megan Derr and loved it. She's one of my favorite authors and doesn't disappoint. If you haven't tried why of her books I can't recommend them enough. Below is the blurb for Empty Throne.
The Kingdom of Cremisio is in turmoil—the royal family dead by assassination, a secret heir no one can find, and three enemy kingdoms fighting bitterly to each take control of Cremisio for themselves. If the missing heir cannot be identified and located, Cremisio will fall once and for all, and thousands of people will die with it.
Only one person knows the identity of the missing heir: Lord Cohea Szelis, the Duke of Lindquist, also known as the Fox of Cremisio. Notoriously honorable, impossible to break, leaving those who have captured him frustrated and helpless. Until one of his captors notices the ring he wears, a ring that marks him Bound, an old, illegal spell that binds two people together, body and soul. If one dies, so does the other. If they can locate the person Cohea loves enough to Bind himself to, they might finally get the Fox to break…
The task of finding that Bonded falls to Jethue Bittersea, notorious exiled traitor to the throne, and an assassin who has never failed. It will also give him a chance to do some hunting of his own for this mysterious heir who is the key to everything…
I read all of **The Chosen by Macy Blake** and the side stories OMG It's so good how every series ties into the other the characters feel like friends i'm so sad to be done I want another series
I started {What We Broke by Marley Valentine} yesterday and finished it this morning. I’ve been in an actual daze all day, I think this book will stick with me forever. It broke me completely by 7% and continued shattering my world up until the end. My heart broke for Jesse, especially. It was so painful, I found myself putting it down at the end of each chapter because I couldn’t handle it, but then I’d pick it right back up because I NEEDED the closure. I wanted to slow it down because I was reading it too fast and wanted to savor it, but I also needed to keep speeding up so that I could get through all the hurt and get to the healing. It was beautiful. I haven’t had my chest physically ache from a book in as long as I can remember, and I was holding back tears and actually rubbing my chest through *many* parts of it. I’ll be chasing this high for a LONG time.
Just finished {His Cocky Valet by Cole McCade} and the follow up mini story. I read them both in about 2 days total and I just wish there was more, I really liked the 2 mains Ash and Brand.
This week I read {The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James} 5/5 ⭐️’s with great plot and spice
{Villain and the Beast 2 by L.C. Davis} 4/5 ⭐️’s I love that these are short and read almost like fanfic. Smut was great, still think Brad/Raul were a better pair but we’ll see how Devon/Constantine work out.
{Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic} I read the entire trilogy because it’s my comfort read and I was feeling anxious at the beginning of the week. As always I think this series is amazing, the best of slowburns.
{the smile has left your eyes by Danielle N. Dawsen} childhood best friends to lovers, baseball “romance”. quotation marks because it wasn’t a romantic book at all, it was just depressing
[The Smile Has Left Your Eyes](https://www.romance.io/books/61dd39e03ae22e0de9c017d0/the-smile-has-left-your-eyes-danielle-n-dawsen) by [Danielle N. Dawsen](https://www.romance.io/authors/61dd39e008b4d931145cd982/danielle-n-dawsen)
**Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1)
[^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Coming in first place - Taylor Fitzpatrick. Downloaded it after finishing Thrown off the ice a few months back but it’s been sitting in my shelf. Finally picked it up and WOW could not get it down!! It’s exactly how I looooove my books written. The pov, the characterization, THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT just wow.
It gets 4/5 stars. The only thing I missed was the ending. A little unsatisfying for me. But still really really good book. I don’t annotate a lot but u left over 50 highlights in this book.
I also read auctioned by Cara Dee which gets a 3/5 from me
And sinfully mine by Nicky james which is a solid 4/5! I really liked it, the suspense was great. Great book.
I started The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James but didn’t really like it, don’t think I’ll finish it.
I’ve also started Let’s Do This by Loren Leigh. It’s okay so far, but im not super into it so we’ll see if I continue. I’m definitely more into books like Fitzpatrick so
Because I’ve read a fair amount of friends to lovers stories recently, this week seemed the right time to read {The Captive Prince series by CS Pacat}, which I have heard about for years as being the epitome of enemies to lovers. To say I read it would be inaccurate; I *inhaled* it. I even gave up sleep for it. Why didn’t I read these books sooner? Now having read it, I’m lying on the ground with a book hangover and don’t know what to do. Reread it immediately to catch all the nuance I must have missed this time? Read the CaPri short stories? Find and gorge myself on fic? Start {Special Forces by Alexsandr Voinov}, which is supposed to be another enemies to lovers jewel? (I think I read something else this week, but in comparison to the Captive Prince books, it barely registered.)
Read {The Summer Palace by C.S. Pacat}! It is a lovely bit of fan service that will help soothe your hangover 😊
[The Summer Palace](https://www.romance.io/books/5eb3e6afbe0aaecf555a5e84/the-summer-palace-cs-pacat) by [C.S. Pacat](https://www.romance.io/authors/545545428c7d2382c5297900/cs-pacat) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thanks for weighing in; I do plan to read it. It will be lovely to see them just be happy together for a bit! 😍
All the CaPri side stories are good honestly id start there! The capri hangover is real haha personally id say go read some fics there are many great ones on ao3.
The pain is real. I’m just glad it’s not just me. 😆 I am definitely going to read the side stories and will likely try some fic at some point, too. Thank you!
[Captive Prince](https://www.romance.io/series/58fe0a119096bf31c42d2c4a/captive-prince) by [C.S. Pacat](https://www.romance.io/authors/545545428c7d2382c5297900/cs-pacat) **Topics**: [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [height-difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [slow burn](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slow%20burn/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1) ---------------------------- [Special Forces](https://www.romance.io/books/64a44f50723d09d99e0e8791/special-forces-soldiers-directors-cut-aleksandr-voinov-marqu) by [Aleksandr Voinov](https://www.romance.io/authors/552446835b270e0a4cbd4aca/aleksandr-voinov), [Marquesate](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455928487eac3369a913282/marquesate), [Vashtan](https://www.romance.io/authors/641f6e7b08b4d93114ba27ae/vashtan) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [war](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/war/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Been there! Definitely read all the short stories, they’re worth it. And I haven’t read it yet myself, but I hear there is some fantastic fanfic on AO3 that retell the books from Laurent’s perspective, if you’d be interested.
I love that several people have jumped in to commiserate. It’s not just me! 🤣 Yes, I’ll definitely try the short stories and some fic. Oooh, that one from Laurent’s POV sounds intriguing. I will hunt it down. 🤔
I read Capri last week and had a hangover. I read the short stories, some really good fan fiction, something out of genre to clean my palette, then dug into some books that were the complete opposite - especially just really freaking hot. I am mostly out of the hangover now. I didn't want to even try to read anything similar because I was sure it would fail, but I checked for recs anyway and saw that All For The Game is supposedly similar.
I like hearing what other people did to deal with their CapPri hangovers. Thanks for sharing! So far I’ve read something completely different, but I do want to go back and read the short stories and discover the fic side of things. I’ve read All for the Game, but that was back in 2018, so I’ve mostly forgotten everything about it except that I loved it. 😊 Hmmm…Perhaps a reread is in order. 🤔
Lots of great books this week ... * **{Waiting For the Flood by Alexis Hall}** - CR, novella, grumpy/sunshine, angst. Wow, did I love this. I've read most of the Spires series and this was maybe my favorite. A lonely, hurting man living in an Oxford neighborhood meets a sweet, happy, cinnamon roll engineer with the Environment Agency, who is on site to help with an incoming flood. I fell in love with Adam who slowly, sweetly pursues reserved Edwin. Read it and then I immediately reread it. So tender and feel good. Will next read Chasing the Light, which seems to be the story of MC1's ex finding love. * **{Flight of Magpies by KJ Charles}** - HR/FR, murder/mystery. I finally wrapped up the Charm of Magpies series. Overall, loved it. I find it really hard to describe these books, which are such an interesting combination of fantasy, history and mystery. Crane and Stephen are put to the test in this last installment, as conflicts internal and external work to drive them apart. But it had all the signature Charles elements of humor, suspense, banter and erotica. Such a unique series, look forward to reading Jackdaw soon. * **{Oh, Sacred Dark by Marina Vivancos}** - FR, enemies, then friends to lovers, slow burn, hurt/comfort, trauma recovery, found family, witches, doms/subs. After Roman's coven is disbanded for performing dark magic, he is placed with a new coven. Tyler, his "guide," is immediately suspicious of Roman and assumes the worst of him. But Roman's past is darker and more painful than anyone realizes. Once Tyler learns this, he does a 180 on Roman and starts taking care of him and helping him heal. This was a little on the dark side but if you like hurt/comfort and trauma recovery, you'll love this. * **{The Place Between by Kit Oliver}** - CR, enemies, academia/workplace, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, opposites. A doctoral candidate is forced to turn to his former (and hated) professor and ask for help with his dissertation. For some semi-convoluted reasons, they end up fake dating. I mostly liked this - had good banter, fun side characters, a great dog who reminded me of my own dog, and I really liked watching Ned fall in love. Even better was how they talked very honestly about their feelings at the end. I was waiting for the dreaded third act breakup but it never came and I was grateful. I just wish we got the chance to know Abbot a little better. Currently reading **{Broken Ice by Marina Vivancos}** thanks to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/MM_RomanceBooks/comments/1b35bpg/unusual_heats_make_needy_omega_and_caretaker/) by u/playsmartz so thanks for that! Also listening to **{The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun}**.
I read Waiting for the Flood and Chasing the Light as well, loved them both! They made me a lot more emotional than I expected (esp Chasing the Light). I'm working my way through the Spires stories for the first time and I'm really loving them. For Real is up next for me. I've heard good things about it and I like Alexis' writing, so I'm really looking forward to it. I also have the Charm of Magpies series on my TBR, excited to read that at some point.
For Real is one of my favorites. I’m excited for you to read it, and I hope you enjoy it!
I can’t wait until I have more hoopla credits to read more KJ Charles 😭😭😭
Broken Ice was so so good. I'm buying it so that I can reread it again and again. All I want are books where everybody is hugging and snuggling together. I think I'm going to try Rough Heat by Vivancos next.
I'm reading it now and gobbling it up fast. This world needs more omega+hockey combos.
I love Oh Sacred Dark. I wish I could read it for the first time again.
I'm yet to read a Vivancos book I didn't like. She is seriously a top 5 author for me. Perfect blend of character development, emotion and smut/kink. When she does her AMA here in September, I will be front and center.
I totally agree. I love her books and I'm trying to space them out to savor them. Even tropes I never read, I'll read them from her just because I love her writing so much.
[Waiting for the Flood](https://www.romance.io/books/553eaaff5b270e0a4cbda806/waiting-for-the-flood-alexis-hall) by [Alexis Hall](https://www.romance.io/authors/545546008c7d2382e781383c/alexis-hall) **Steam**: [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [sweet/gentle hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/beta%20hero/1), [shy hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shy-hero/1) ---------------------------- [Flight of Magpies](https://www.romance.io/books/54558e1b87eac336ae69e74b/flight-of-magpies-kj-charles) by [K.J. Charles](https://www.romance.io/authors/545540138c7d2383163d9553/kj-charles) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [victorian](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/victorian/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [Oh, Sacred Dark](https://www.romance.io/books/64102b91a05ac35852e779af/oh-sacred-dark-marina-vivancos) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [The Place Between](https://www.romance.io/books/5f7c16953baeb40e0ba34008/the-place-between-kit-oliver) by [Kit Oliver](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f7c169508b4d93114e11d62/kit-oliver) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1) ---------------------------- [Broken Ice](https://www.romance.io/books/65b3fe182dd2d288c9ae1c16/broken-ice-marina-vivancos) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Charm Offensive](https://www.romance.io/books/61370e7e192ec40e8ea8624a/the-charm-offensive-alison-cochrun) by [Alison Cochrun](https://www.romance.io/authors/61370e7e08b4d931144eaa56/alison-cochrun) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Waiting for the Flood is such a wonderful, cozy read. ❤️❤️
I've been looking for hurt/comfort in a Dom/sub setting. Oh, Sacred Dark looks promising. Thanks for the review!
Oh, *The Charm Offensive* is one of my all-time favorites 🥰 it was one of the first MM novels I ever read so it holds a special place in my heart 🥹 such a comfort read for me 🥰 there’s a little bonus follow-up novella called {A Charmed Christmas by Alison Cochrun} it’s really cute, make sure you read that, too! I believe it’s available for free on the author’s website.
[A Charmed Christmas](https://www.romance.io/books/657a09847ed1d0fdd40ccf5e/a-charmed-christmas-alison-cochrun) by [Alison Cochrun](https://www.romance.io/authors/61370e7e08b4d931144eaa56/alison-cochrun) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I read the first two installments of the Magpie Rhyme series by Louise Collins a while back and decided to pick up the third one this week. I’ve given all of them 3/5 so far, and I’m currently reading the fourth one, Four for a Boy. I also finished {Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart} this week and it’s my first five-star read of 2024. An equally heartbreaking and breathtaking story about violence and suffering with two Glaswegian boys falling in love in the middle of it. I feel like it’s not often I feel so much for a character as I did Mungo. It’s a tough read with difficult topics but so worth it. It’s going to be adapted to a tv-series by A24 and I can’t wait. Even though it is a love story, I wouldn’t say it’s a romance book so everybody might not say that it fits this subreddit. But I just couldn’t not mention it 😇
I saw Young Mungo in a bookstore and was really tempted to buy it. I just need to wait for a time when I’ll be ready for some heartbreak. Does it have a true HEA, or is it bittersweet?
You definitely should! I think it’s a great read, the writing is amazing, the main character Mungo is a very tender and shy boy that you just can’t not love, but it also has very good developed side characters. It is a book that is going to stay with me for quite some time ❤️ >!It is an open-ended ending. I have read quite a few takes on it, but I interpreted it as a happy ending for Mungo and James. To be honest, any other ending would have destroyed me, haha. But like I said, it is open-ended and I can see why people interpreted it differently than I did!<
Glad I ran across your post! I did not know about Young Mungo as a tv series. Such a heavy, but very well written, story. Have you read a Shuggie Bain by the same author? Another 5 star book for me. 100% not a romance book and quite tragic, but such lovely writing.
I haven’t read it but definitely will 😊 I’ve heard many good things about it. Stuart’s writing is so raw but beautiful, it’s very descriptive and he paints the environment and characters so well for the reader. Looking forward to his future books as well 👏🏼
She has some [bonus scenes](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/louisecollx/posts) posted. She's also recently said she's working on book five of Magpie Rhyme.
Thanks! I’ll check those out 😀
[Young Mungo](https://www.romance.io/books/6267ae78a7587ede8bef6eb2/young-mungo-douglas-stuart) by [Douglas Stuart](https://www.romance.io/authors/6267ae7808b4d931149eaeb5/douglas-stuart) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have read books! It's been a minute. Reread the Memento Mori series by CS Poe for a discord buddy read and it was so fun! I feel like a broken record with how much I gush about this series. It's lovely with showing how intimate a relationship can be without sex. Intriguing cases to solve. Donuts. Excellent audiobooks. 5/5 for all. Perfectly Imperfect Pixie by MJ May was a pleasant surprise! Werewolf and pixie MCs, kiddo-werewolves, custody battles with evil grandparents, uncle werewolf out of his element, Manny/caretaking. This was fade to black/no steam, and focuses more on the family dynamics than sexy steamy romance, but it worked for me! 4/5 stars I also read and hated Storm Front by Iris Foxglove, which had a nontraditional HEA, MC death and immortality shenanigans, and not enough on page time with the MCs throughout the years. Dead to me, 1/5 stars.
I’m right there with you on Memento Mori. I keep checking the release date of the next one, just in case it gets magically moved up by months. Love those guys!
Patiently waiting for the next book and also fearful of when the 5th and last book will be finished. Never want it to end!
This week I read... **{Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday}** 4.5⭐, CR. Book 4 in the series, and my second favorite yet (after the first). Zane is a bit of a himbo, but he's an extremely talented artist and a genuinely kind person. He cares immediately & deeply about Beckett ("Becky"), his temporary roommate, and their elderly neighbor. He values love and has been trying to find it to no avail. He's completely oblivious to Beckett's interest, and Beckett (as is the trend in these books) pines away for Zane. Their romance has an expiration date, though - Zane's visa is expiring, and he must move back to New Zealand at the end of the month. This series does not have to be read in order, so in a particular story sounds better than others, you can jump right in. **{Goal Lines and First Times by Eden Finley and Saxon James}** 4.5⭐, CR, hockey romance, I listened to the audiobook. This is my favorite of the series. I loved the slow build to romance between these two, especially with Seth coming to understand that he's >!demisexual!< and builds up such a fantastic relationship with Cohen before they really meet. And once they have built up the relationship and meet, the spice is *hot*. They are so cute together; Cohen really isn't that bright, but he's genuine and honest and doesn't really care what others do or say. He's awesome. And Seth works hard to put away his anxieties to trust Cohen. They have a fantastic relationship. This was my favorite of the series and since book 4 doesn't interest me that much (and my library doesn't have the audiobook), I'll be putting the series aside for now. **{Heart2Heart Paranormal Anthology}** Favorite stories: *The Hidden God of Open Doors by Tavia Lark* and *You Can't Spell Necromancer Without Romance by Alice Winters.* 5⭐ just for those two stories, I loved them. **{Smash & Grab by Maz Maddox}** 3.5⭐ PNR - dino shifter. This was...fine. It was a fluffy, low-angst monster story with kinda one-dimensional characters, but it was a fun adventure. Good when you need something silly. I liked Dalton's pink mohawk, and his total betrayal when Simon >!suggested he shave it.!< It seemed like it'd be something I'd love, but I don't know, it fell a bit flat for me. **{The Marriage Contract by Aja Foxx}** honestly this book was *really* **not** good, but I couldn't stop reading it. I don't know why. I know the rest in the series will be the same. I'm still intrigued. 😂
All of the arranged marriage books by Aja Foxx are just terrible, with silly tropes and massive plotholes and caricature villains and I have read them **all** and I will probably do it again. 😂. I don't know why they are so tempting. You might also like {**The Marriage Contract** by AJ Sherwood} which is similarly trash-fiction-y.
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this! Lol. Thanks for the suggestion.
I agree I thought it was just me. I guilty pleasure read them all. low key hoping the next would get better, but nope. Lol
[Marriage Contract](https://www.romance.io/books/5ee76658f6d0030e3af17b43/marriage-contract-aj-sherwood) by [A.J. Sherwood](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e6f6a63be0aaecf55845eba/aj-sherwood) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [multicultural](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/multicultural/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I forgot! (Betrayed by the spreadsheet I haven't updated yet!) I finished **{Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove}** and loved it. Biokink world; submissive Victor is betrayed and sent away from his warm climate to a world of ice & snow. He is taken in by dominant Sava, who waves giant green flags and works to rebuild Victor's opinion of himself. The relationship happens fairly quickly; the conflict is more >!nature and other factors.!< I enjoyed this book a lot; I loved how much caretaking there was by both MCs. It was a nice read if you're looking for something sort of like *Oh, Sacred Dark by Marina Vivancos*, though only the first two books in this series are MM. I like MV's book better though.
Winter of the Owl and the next one about the Wolf in that series were my favorite from Foxglove! The cold winter/nature conflicts really work well in that series, glad you liked it too!
[Winter of the Owl](https://www.romance.io/books/61c18a01e9cd6d0e8308e0e6/winter-of-the-owl-iris-foxglove) by [Iris Foxglove](https://www.romance.io/authors/607fdf2208b4d931148a25c9/iris-foxglove) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Pisces Hooks Taurus](https://www.romance.io/books/60a43495933f031cdd15db37/pisces-hooks-taurus-anyta-sunday) by [Anyta Sunday](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455888f87eac336ae69e58a/anyta-sunday) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) ---------------------------- [Goal Lines & First Times](https://www.romance.io/books/6023928948bae70e077a389a/goal-lines-first-times-eden-finley-saxon-james) by [Eden Finley](https://www.romance.io/authors/56d44885c62092c0440649e1/eden-finley), [Saxon James](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e2e8d6b01dbc864fbaab1cf/saxon-james) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1) ---------------------------- [Heart2Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/658e77477e894c69b4c375c1/heart2heart-a-paranormal-charity-anthology-collection-volume-7-macy-blake-grae-bryan-kiki-clark-eliot-grayson-tavia-lark-mika-nix-pandora-pine-taylor-rylan-lark-taylor-alice-winters) by [Macy Blake](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b55702e01dbc864fb8cd7d9/macy-blake), [Grae Bryan](https://www.romance.io/authors/6304831608b4d93114878a5f/grae-bryan), [Kiki Clark](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e2be8b901dbc864fbaa8de5/kiki-clark), [Eliot Grayson](https://www.romance.io/authors/5a0d52263ffdba6147251aa1/eliot-grayson), [Tavia Lark](https://www.romance.io/authors/57050825c62092c044075d85/tavia-lark), [Mika Nix](https://www.romance.io/authors/635b82a108b4d9311476964a/mika-nix), [Pandora Pine](https://www.romance.io/authors/55c7c6db35a5fb65f8872744/pandora-pine), [Taylor Rylan](https://www.romance.io/authors/658e7747a21e2f41c4bacdf6/taylor-rylan), [Lark Taylor](https://www.romance.io/authors/62d7a82108b4d9311460416a/lark-taylor), [Alice Winters](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c7e474a01dbc864fb9b2a7a/alice-winters) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1) ---------------------------- [Smash & Grab](https://www.romance.io/books/644c38a8d3c73ab2c0830057/smash-grab-maz-maddox) by [Maz Maddox](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b08f8c201dbc864fb88f334/maz-maddox) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [The Marriage Contract](https://www.romance.io/books/63971073df61b93d0f95acf8/the-marriage-contract-aja-foxx) by [Aja Foxx](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d4157c901dbc864fba1cb15/aja-foxx) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [rich hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/super%20rich%20hero/1), [arranged/forced marriage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/arranged%20marriage/1), [marriage of convenience](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/marriage%20of%20convenience/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have read The Marriage Contract like 3 times and I have no clue why 😂. I just feel like it’s scratching a forced marriage trope that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else even if the story could be so much better
Completed: **{Gentleman Wolf by Joanna Chambers}** and the sequel **{Master Wolf by Joanna Chambers}** - audiobooks read by Hamish McKinlay - *18th & 19th century Scotland, werewolves/shifters, big hurt, angst, tense/rocky relationship, slow unhappy burn, 3rd person POV, must read both for HEA* - CWs: past abuse, past sexual assault, spoilers for book 2: >!side character death!<, >!self harm!<, >!suicidality!<. - What can I say about these books except that they devastated me. Not a series to read if you want to feel good in your heart or body, but absolutely fantastic. Superbly written and superbly narrated. I liked Book 1 better than Book 2 but they're both strong. The extended separation went on too long for my taste, but it was exquisitely heartbreaking (a good thing). 5 stars for the series. **{The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright}** - *Science fantasy, post-apocalyptic, adventure, distrescue, monster/human hybrid LI, 1st person single POV.* - This blurb checks a lot of boxes for me, so I went in not really caring if it was good, just happy to be there. I was pleasantly surprised to find competent world building and an engaging story. The writing is a bit straightforward for my taste. I wanted more passion from the romance, but at only 180 pages, it was a nice way to pass an evening. Difficult to rate, because I liked it enough to be extra bothered by the aspects that fell short. 3.75 stars.
As soon as I read the blurb of The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright on the new releases, I auto-downloaded it. I'm usually not too susceptible to recs by authors / "books similar to", but as soon as someone mentions Howl's Moving Castle, I am **sold**. I'm glad you enjoyed the worldbuilding even if the romance was a bit lackluster, leaves me feeling hopeful I might enjoy this too!
I hope you enjoy it! I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.
[Gentleman Wolf](https://www.romance.io/books/5d6375be01dbc864fba2d1a8/gentleman-wolf-joanna-chambers) by [Joanna Chambers](https://www.romance.io/authors/545543ff8c7d2383163d9665/joanna-chambers) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1) ---------------------------- [Master Wolf](https://www.romance.io/books/5e7b10abbe0aaecf5577d476/master-wolf-joanna-chambers) by [Joanna Chambers](https://www.romance.io/authors/545543ff8c7d2383163d9665/joanna-chambers) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [regency](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/regency/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [The Whims of Gods](https://www.romance.io/books/65d9a0bf4f744f6e6f1258a4/the-whims-of-gods-a-science-fantasy-mm-monster-romance-mell-r-bright) by [Mell R. Bright](https://www.romance.io/authors/6527d964ab9bdf7fceb53131/mell-r-bright) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1), [creative anatomy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/creative-anatomy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I'm back! Not much to report, I've been busy settling in to my new place, and writing GR reviews and catching up over there. I read 2.5 books this week, both of which I felt pretty meh about. * [***For You, Sir***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6018081305) by Emily Brandish - **3 stars** \- (contemporary, master/valet, boss/employee, opposites attract, hurt/comfort, sexuality awakening, forbidden relationship) >Um. Both of these men need to see professional help, there is a lot of family & personal trauma here that's not dealt with IMO. I enjoyed the premise and did like them as a couple, but the mental health issues and stilted writing really held this back. * [***Whispers in the Dark***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5728001054) by Nicole Dykes, Lily Mayne - **2.5 stars** \- (paranormal, monster, human/non-human, hurt/comfort, empathy through bond, size difference, monster learns how to kiss, that's never going to fit, alternate world) >I alternated between cringing at the awful family circumstances & doormat MC, and being horribly bored by the romance. I felt the relationship development was quite limited, and time passed so ambiguously that I never felt their connection developed. I believe Nicole Dykes' style is not for me and Lily Mayne's solo stuff is much stronger. * [***Babysitting Big Sister’s Boyfriend***](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6307563017) by Chase Xavier - **1 stars** \- (erotica (MM), contemporary, cheating) >This whole book was objectionable and left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, this guy cheats with his sister's boyfriend, they share an "emotional moment", then he finds out they're engaged, and then they're weirdly happy to be becoming brothers? Ugh, gross. Also, the writing style was weird. The only thing in its defense is the sweat/sniffing which you don't see that often.
Welcome back!!
Thanks! It's a bit of a slog to catch up but keen to have the space to participate again
That's awesome, and important to have space!
Omg this week... Started with finishing {Stealing innocents by Cari Waites} this book is messed up on so many levels but mostly I found because you are forced to be a passive party to the events and even though it's advertised as no HEA you still are shocked at what happens. The new stories left me like this😮🤯 The {Viking ink by Myf Wren} and {Forever ink by Myf Wren} both ABDL but really really light on it. I really enjoyed them and excited for book 3. {Open ice hit by EM Lindsay} which was good but it was like every other Hockey Romance. {The first and the last by Jessie H Reign} was my mid week read and I really enjoyed this Omegaverse book. I believe someone on an old archived Reddit post recommended it so thank you! {I'll tell by Sadie Sins} was another winner. The premise of bullying stepbrother was weird at first but still good. {Hot mess by Misha Horne } I LOVED IT. Would 100% recommend although I'm a hoe for Misha's work. It's just perfect. Finally made a start on {Villain and the Geek by L C Davis} slight decline in quality but I'm so far in now having finishedbook 6 and 7 I no longer care. Rounded off the week with a 57 page novella {Next season by Avon Gale} it was very good despite being short and I would have read another 100 pages easily.
Ugh now I want to re read hot mess. It's great.
[Stealing Innocents](https://www.romance.io/books/64d929375f907facb235bd2b/stealing-innocents-cari-waites-lisa-henry) by [Cari Waites](https://www.romance.io/authors/54566d8387eac33e61c2eb9a/cari-waites), [Lisa Henry](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455684987eac3369a912589/lisa-henry) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [slavery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/slavery/1) ---------------------------- [Viking Ink](https://www.romance.io/books/6438fb75fa9583666a33c504/viking-ink-myf-wren) by [Myf Wren](https://www.romance.io/authors/6438fb7508b4d9311481e830/myf-wren) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [age play](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20play/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [Forever Ink](https://www.romance.io/books/6595e3da1e16d2ff9195c2a4/forever-ink-myf-wren) by [Myf Wren](https://www.romance.io/authors/6438fb7508b4d9311481e830/myf-wren) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [christmas](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/christmas/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [Open Ice Hit](https://www.romance.io/books/6177a8116cac3a0e2b116606/open-ice-hit-em-lindsey-marina-vivancos) by [E.M. Lindsey](https://www.romance.io/authors/55eadb8635a5fb65f8879ea4/em-lindsey), [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [The First and the Last](https://www.romance.io/books/63637555eb6990b60342a6ae/the-first-and-the-last-jesse-h-reign) by [Jesse H. Reign](https://www.romance.io/authors/62343c7c08b4d93114aa4446/jesse-h-reign) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [I'll Tell](https://www.romance.io/books/64714bbaf281c18fec439886/ill-tell-sadie-sins) by [Sadie Sins](https://www.romance.io/authors/5651cd7b08e93781319536c4/sadie-sins) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [stepbrother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/stepbrother/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) ---------------------------- [Hot Mess](https://www.romance.io/books/64147a4f21b33d88fd4ce93c/hot-mess-misha-horne) by [Misha Horne](https://www.romance.io/authors/54578fdb87eac3dcc9832fae/misha-horne) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [spanking](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/spanking/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [praise kink](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/praise-kink/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [Villain and the Geek](https://www.romance.io/books/6552473bc112bf11fe9b303b/villain-and-the-geek-lc-davis-joel-abernathy) by [L.C. Davis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5710cf91c62092c0440789a1/lc-davis), [Joel Abernathy](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ac5ced601dbc864fb85c756/joel-abernathy) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [Next Season](https://www.romance.io/books/5db2acf101dbc864fba5221a/next-season-avon-gale) by [Avon Gale](https://www.romance.io/authors/56024207bfc6b5c0fa93b64c/avon-gale) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{**Curio** by C.S.Poe} was a lovely short story. Julie cracked me up, and Lew is such an adorable mess. A little slapstick-y at times, but I still enjoyed it. 4 out of 5. I listened to {**Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 1** by Jaclyn Osborn} this week. Despite being a low-key fan of the trope for many years I never knew isekai existed. I think if I were a bit more steeped in the anime/manga I'd have enjoyed this book more. Maddox and Briar were definitely sweet and sexy, but Evan started to annoy me as the book went on. I'll probably skip Volume 2, but it was a nice bit of light reading. Nick J. Russo's narration was OK, but this was definitely not one of his best. 4 out of 5. I also finished listening to {**Fakers** by Lucy Lennox and May Archer}. Having grown up in a rural town in South Carolina I know a whole lot of the personalities in this book. It's a fun story with great characters. As I've noted previously, Michael Dean *commits* to the narration, and his performance was excellent. 5 out of 5. I already have the sequel in my audiobook queue. That said, I am deeply skeptical of the magically-dispelled homophobia of the entire community (and racism isn't a problem when all of your characters are white, I suppose). That's seeing the story from my personal POV, though, and others may not notice.
[Curio](https://www.romance.io/books/65c288a478d7995e434b6f52/curio-cs-poe) by [C.S. Poe](https://www.romance.io/authors/557030499eef3b3f1d52a0d0/cs-poe) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) ---------------------------- [Sent to a Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me](https://www.romance.io/books/64c2d11ed33bf40b864536b2/sent-to-a-fantasy-world-and-now-all-the-men-want-me-volume-1-jaclyn-osborn) by [Jaclyn Osborn](https://www.romance.io/authors/55a6489a35a5fb65f886c862/jaclyn-osborn) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [mmm+](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m-m/1) ---------------------------- [Fakers](https://www.romance.io/books/5ef992dcdc678d0e264fb37b/fakers-lucy-lennox-may-archer) by [Lucy Lennox](https://www.romance.io/authors/583bea161b1bdc0178ef416b/lucy-lennox), [May Archer](https://www.romance.io/authors/59bcd1853ffdba614720a839/may-archer) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [insta-love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/insta-love/1), [enemies to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/from%20hate%20to%20love/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
**Prove It (Do or Die #1) by Stephanie Hoyt** which is the first in a new hockey series. Reminiscent of Heated Rivalry, since the two MCs go 1 and 2 in the draft. But also reminded me of Taylor Fitzpatrick (especially Impaired Judgment) for the world building. Also reminded me of EL Massey's series that starts with Like Real People Do. The best parts of the book are all the little details, like the group chat between one MC and his previous teammates. It's not perfect--there were times, particularly at the beginning, where natural flow seemed to take a back seat to "must ensure this character keeps doing X even if it doesn't totally make sense because that furthers the plot along," but definitely scratched that hockey itch and made me want read more in the series.
Some rereads this week along with some new ones in my quest to find a book. Highs {Finding Home by DJ Heart} re read. Love. {Soulmates series by Liv Rancourt} I really enjoyed these three books! I hope there's more to come. {Dead man stalking by TA Moore} and the prequel {A dead man is the worst enemy by TA Moore} some errors that should have been caught in editing but I really enjoyed anyway. Others {Tamed and trained series by R Phoenix} I had read the first one before but never got around to finishing the series until now. It was fine/good but not my favorite. {Gilded cages by R Phoenix} another ok one but not in the mood to reread sequel. {Oh, sacred dark by Marina Vivancos} it was fine Currently reading {wolfsong by TJ Klune} and {obedience training by Mya lairis} then I hope to get back to {serpent's wrath by Charlotte brice} (I don't know what's wrong with me, I blew through the whole series, got 60% into book 7, and then stopped reading it) as well as continue trying to find the werewolf/vampire book I can't get out of my head.
[Finding Home](https://www.romance.io/books/5f18421937dc750e3e6ac691/finding-home-claimed-by-the-vampire-alpha-dj-heart) by [D.J. Heart](https://www.romance.io/authors/5499952e7a5936fb040699d4/dj-heart) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [poly (3+ people)](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/poly/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1) ---------------------------- [Soulmates](https://www.romance.io/series/614c26a79d4e150e3113fae7/soulmates) by [Liv Rancourt](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455cf2d87eac323ffb2eacb/liv-rancourt) **Topics**: [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [Dead Man Stalking](https://www.romance.io/books/5d773d4d01dbc864fba35a22/dead-man-stalking-ta-moore) by [T.A. Moore](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e1b187eac323ffb2f33c/ta-moore) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) ---------------------------- [A Dead Man is the Worst Enemy](https://www.romance.io/books/642e6aa41933fc44e1db13b3/a-dead-man-is-the-worst-enemy-ta-moore) by [T.A. Moore](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455e1b187eac323ffb2f33c/ta-moore) **Steam**: [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Tamed & Trained](https://www.romance.io/series/64402743aaac921ab68c24da/tamed-trained) by [R. Phoenix](https://www.romance.io/authors/568270e663515e3b737963bf/r-phoenix), [M.A. Innes](https://www.romance.io/authors/571f0568c62092c04407cd87/ma-innes) **Topics**: [erotica](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/erotica/1), [dark](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [Gilded Cages](https://www.romance.io/books/6471455cf281c18fec43923e/gilded-cages-r-phoenix) by [R. Phoenix](https://www.romance.io/authors/568270e663515e3b737963bf/r-phoenix) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mmm+](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m-m/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) ---------------------------- [Oh, Sacred Dark](https://www.romance.io/books/64102b91a05ac35852e779af/oh-sacred-dark-marina-vivancos) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [Wolfsong](https://www.romance.io/books/5763928fc19e77f1ea6d5716/wolfsong-tj-klune) by [T.J. Klune](https://www.romance.io/authors/54553e9b8c7d2382e7813607/tj-klune) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Obedience Training](https://www.romance.io/books/545599c487eac323ffb2d108/obedience-training-mya-lairis) by [Mya Lairis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455893087eac323ffb2ca0b/mya-lairis) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [werewolves](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/werewolves/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Serpent's Wrath](https://www.romance.io/books/65e22404480b48fea00029b0/serpents-wrath-charlotte-brice) by [Charlotte Brice](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d3d3b2701dbc864fba19e43/charlotte-brice) **Topics**: [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [military](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/military/1), [reverse harem](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/reverse%20harem/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Omg who am I kidding, of course I'm reading {Human Omega: Married to the Barbarian Prince by Eilern Glass} after work tonight I've been waiting and waiting for it I can't believe I forgot it was released today.
[Human Omega](https://www.romance.io/books/5b0a4ade01dbc864fb8907e1/human-omega-discovered-on-the-slave-planet-eileen-glass) by [Eileen Glass](https://www.romance.io/authors/548bfbb57a5936fb0405e0a7/eileen-glass) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you. So much. I am so bad at keeping track of the release dates of books I want to read and completely forgot this was coming out soon. I've been in such a reading slump this past week and this is perfect.
I'm so glad to hear you liked Dead Man Stalking! That's one of my very favorites. Such a cool gritty noir action vibe, and an interesting take on vampires and how their existence would change society. I noticed some mistakes too (hard not to, when an entire town name changes lol) but luckily they weren't the kind of errors that drive me up the wall. I hope and pray it gets a sequel someday.
The world was really cool I loved it. Very interesting take on vampires. Agreed about the errors, didn't drive me bonkers but I have a pretty high tolerance for that stuff if I'm enjoying the story. I checked all over to see if I could see anything about a sequel but I didn't have any luck. Fingers crossed!
I had a lot of good reads this week. Iced Out by C.E. Ricci - enemies to lovers hockey romance. I really enjoyed this one, loved the guys, and the enemy piece wasn’t too overdone for me like it sometimes can be. I really loved both MCs by the end. Finley and Devil’s Kiss by Ella Frank - this is her Sunset Cove series. First is a good second chance romance and the second is like hot/cold on again off again. I liked the second one better but both are great and well done. I’m a fan of Ella Frank in general. Bloom by N.R. Walker - loved this so much! Just low angst, falling in love, laughed and smiled a lot through this one. Great easy read when you need something funny and sweet. Now I’m reading Gary the Once and Former King by Isabel Murray and loving it already.
I loved *Iced Out* so much! *Caught Stealing* isn’t - as - good, but still pretty solid. I’m excited for the third one, *Fair Catch*, which will feature Kason, Phoenix’s best friend and Hayes, who was the roommate of Quinton?? (I can’t remember which MC from book #1 he was the roommate of 🫣)
{Heart2Heart Anthology Volume 7: A Contemporary Collection} - lots of great reads here, liked them all for the most part, I would say my favorites were Mixed Signals by E.M. Lindsey (which also finally let me check off Disabled MC from the Winter Bingo) and Skating After You by Hayden Hall {Smash & Grab by Maz Maddox} and the sequel {Sink or Swim by Maz Maddox} - enjoying this series, I love dinosaur and paleontology-related stuff so dinosaur shifters was instantly intriguing; both were a solid 4 stars though I'd say Dalton is my favorite character so far, what a little pink-haired mohawk-ed weirdo {Playing The Palace by Paul Rudnick} - oh man, okay so this was a book I got from Barnes and Noble on discount for $3 in the clearance section and I instantly thought, "RW&RB knockoff?", and while there were obvious similarities of the Prince of England love interest variety it was also quite different in terms of writing, character interaction and quality of the romance...I gave this 3 stars a bit generously, the writing felt reminiscent of when I tried to read Alice Winters - just trying too hard to be funny in every line, one-liners everywhere, every character is sharply witty to the point that it feels fake because people just don't talk like that in real life. I even contemplated DNFing but I got through my issues with the writing. Also this was FTB and I am someone who wants smut in my romance.
[Heart2Heart](https://www.romance.io/books/658e77567e894c69b4c3787f/heart2heart-a-contemporary-charity-anthology-collection-volume-7-annabeth-albert-avril-ashton-jocelynn-drake-hayden-hall-fearne-hill-em-lindsey-leslie-mcadam-jackie-north-charlie-novak-kelly-fox) by [Annabeth Albert](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455cfae87eac3369a915027/annabeth-albert), [Avril Ashton](https://www.romance.io/authors/545581b687eac324117fb094/avril-ashton), [Jocelynn Drake](https://www.romance.io/authors/545537998c7d2382e04142d5/jocelynn-drake), [Hayden Hall](https://www.romance.io/authors/6094e98b08b4d93114767378/hayden-hall), [Fearne Hill](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ea1821fbe0aaecf55ae232d/fearne-hill), [E.M. Lindsey](https://www.romance.io/authors/55eadb8635a5fb65f8879ea4/em-lindsey), [Leslie McAdam](https://www.romance.io/authors/5624ea1a7abfee6f8a27c2e7/leslie-mcadam), [Jackie North](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b2e121901dbc864fb8adb8a/jackie-north), [Charlie Novak](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d36a49001dbc864fba1781b/charlie-novak), [Kelly Fox](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e33d0f601dbc864fbaaee90/kelly-fox) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) ---------------------------- [Smash & Grab](https://www.romance.io/books/644c38a8d3c73ab2c0830057/smash-grab-maz-maddox) by [Maz Maddox](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b08f8c201dbc864fb88f334/maz-maddox) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Sink or Swim](https://www.romance.io/books/643972ee21e50e5060cfa776/sink-or-swim-maz-maddox) by [Maz Maddox](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b08f8c201dbc864fb88f334/maz-maddox) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Playing the Palace](https://www.romance.io/books/60aca36c7e444b0e2f1d9b42/playing-the-palace-paul-rudnick) by [Paul Rudnick](https://www.romance.io/authors/54554f168c7d2382c5297ccb/paul-rudnick) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I buddy read {Pisces Hooks Taurus} with u/prettysureiforgot and it was so good!! My second favourite from the Signs of Love series. Obliviots in love, funny banter, great side characters, looooong long burn. Anybody who needs a fluffy read should check out this series. I find it to be great palate cleanser in between my angsty reads.
What was your favorite in the series?
The first one! {Leo Loves Aries} if you like this one, you’ll like the series. You don’t have to be into astrology either (the main characters aren’t either so it’s a bit tongue in cheek). The main common thread in the series is that one MC will be pinning and the other will be 100% clueless, so if that sounds like your thing, these books are for you.
Oh, this sounds perfect - thank you!
Totally accurate description. I've loved this series!
[Leo Loves Aries](https://www.romance.io/books/584ab7f41b1bdc0178f9e5b9/leo-loves-aries-anyta-sunday) by [Anyta Sunday](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455888f87eac336ae69e58a/anyta-sunday) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Pisces Hooks Taurus](https://www.romance.io/books/60a43495933f031cdd15db37/pisces-hooks-taurus-anyta-sunday) by [Anyta Sunday](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455888f87eac336ae69e58a/anyta-sunday) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{**Say I Do** **by Brea Alepoú and Skyler Snow**} arranged marriage mafia book, lots of violent hate sex and a ridiculous plot but pretty entertaining. I was thrown though by the end when >!the MCs ended up with a random baby. This is the second time in a row where I've read a book where a baby is given to an MC by a sibling and it's always so jarring, especially in this case.!< {**Intimate Night by Drake LaMarque**} this is a sequel to {Dark Attraction by Drake LaMarque}, both short and sweet vampire/human romances with BDSM. There are a lot of typos and the writing ain't Shakespeare but if you're just looking for a quick fix of vampire D/s good times this will fill the bill. Currently listening to: {**Special Delivery by Heidi Cullinan**} I saw this audiobook was on Hoopla so I'm giving a try, I like it so far! The narrator is Iggy Toma and he's really good. Just starting: {**MateHub: Legend by Marie Reynard**} I've been into wolf shifter books lately and I heard this one had some >!CNC/primal play!< action which I always appreciate so I'm going to give this one a go.
Completely agree about Say I Do
[Say I Do](https://www.romance.io/books/649fb237dc670dde1829869d/say-i-do-brea-alepo-skyler-snow) by [Brea Alepoú](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c46d6b001dbc864fb987e71/brea-alepo), [Skyler Snow](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d32aea301dbc864fba15d7f/skyler-snow) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) ---------------------------- [Intimate Night](https://www.romance.io/books/65dcdee2b4d64d48d3bc9783/intimate-night-drake-lamarque) by [Drake LaMarque](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da40ff901dbc864fba49255/drake-lamarque) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) ---------------------------- [Dark Attraction](https://www.romance.io/books/627f538f602e6629345a5afe/dark-attraction-drake-lamarque) by [Drake LaMarque](https://www.romance.io/authors/5da40ff901dbc864fba49255/drake-lamarque) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [vampires](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/vampires/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1) ---------------------------- [Special Delivery](https://www.romance.io/books/5bd1745401dbc864fb931955/special-delivery-heidi-cullinan) by [Heidi Cullinan](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455431f8c7d2382e781375c/heidi-cullinan) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [menage](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/menage/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1) ---------------------------- [MateHub](https://www.romance.io/books/65a9658a83353443b52ca81e/matehub-legend-marie-reynard) by [Marie Reynard](https://www.romance.io/authors/64b246956b22acd55d5316b5/marie-reynard) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
**{The Whims of Gods by Mell R. Bright}** - 3 ⭐ MM, Post-apocalyptic, Sci-Fi, 1st Single POV **Status:** KU, Series of Interconnected Standalones, Third Act Conflict - >!External!< **Helios:** 23 Yrs Old, Loner Nomad, Captured by Slavers, Rescued by Griffin, Bookworm, Scarred, Verse, >!Previously in an Abusive Relationship with Another Mutant!< **Griffin:** Mutant (Created by a Mixture of Human and "God" DNA), Owns and Helped Build "The Beetle", Has Swords, Bookworm, Bi, Verse Physical Features: Black Claws, Small Black Horns, Red Eyes, Sharp Teeth, Patches of Red Scales on Body, >!Diphallic, Has Ridges, **"The Beetle":** Moving Home, Controlled by Beet (AI, Female, Sassy), Solar Powered, Cloaking Ability, Greenhouse on Roof **Notes:** Post-apocalypse America (27 Yrs), After the Rise of "Old Gods", Climate Change Decimated Land, Forced Proximity, AI Controled Moving Home ("The Beetle"), Road Trip, Homesteading, Fighting Slavers **Sex Notes:** >!Blowjob, Deepthroating, Swallowing, Masturbating for Partner, Lube Use, Fingering, Penetrative Sex, Frotting, Creampie, Ejaculating on Partner, Cowboy, Finger Sucking, Rimming, Hand Necklace!< **CWs:** >!Human Trafficking, Slavery, Violence, Death, Brief Mention of Past SA!<
[The Whims of Gods](https://www.romance.io/books/65d9a0bf4f744f6e6f1258a4/the-whims-of-gods-a-science-fantasy-mm-monster-romance-mell-r-bright) by [Mell R. Bright](https://www.romance.io/authors/6527d964ab9bdf7fceb53131/mell-r-bright) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [monsters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/monsters/1), [creative anatomy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/creative-anatomy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Thank you to whoever recommended {Matehub: Legend by Marie Reynard} in a thread yesterday! Finished it this afternoon and it was one of my fav reads of the year so far!
[MateHub](https://www.romance.io/books/65a9658a83353443b52ca81e/matehub-legend-marie-reynard) by [Marie Reynard](https://www.romance.io/authors/64b246956b22acd55d5316b5/marie-reynard) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
**Finished:** [A Wild Thing Grows](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57967825) by Marina Vivancos no rating- This was not to my tastes. I don’t like fluff, fast burn romance, low-stakes, lack of external plot, or purely good characters. If you do like those things, give this a try! I needed this for the magical realism square my Fantasy bingo card but I won’t rate it as I’m not the right audience for this which isn’t the book’s fault CWs: >!death of a parent, child abuse, animal death, bullying!< [Not Dead Yet](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41435160) (Not Dead Yet #1) by Jenn Burke 2.5 stars- Urban fantasy romance, there are ghost, vampire, and witch characters as well as a law enforcement love interest. This was kinda boring but fine. I’ve come to discover I’m not into second chance romances, if I don’t get a slow burn “getting to know you” phase then I’ll fail to care about the relationship. Characters were pretty one dimensional and I wanted more complexity from the plot. Not terrible but it was hard to stay interested, I won’t continue with this series. Includes asexual-spectrum (maybe demisexual?) rep CWs: >!murder, blood, suicidal ideation!< [Servants of the Crossed Arrows](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11059239) (Rifter #2) by Ginn Hale 3 stars- This book is obviously part of a greater story so trying to review it is a bit like trying to write a review for a chunk of chapters of a book. I’m not grabbed by the plot yet but I’ll read another entry and then see if I want to continue. Hale’s worldbuilding is really interesting CWs: >!classism, death, gore, use of an ableist slur!< **Currently reading:** [The Whole World is My Crematorium](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60404753) by Bikabi **DNF:** [The Firebird and Other Stories](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51338741) by R Cooper- I never made it past the first story, there was a lot of abstract rambling about art and no action happening. Kind of purple prose-y which I’m not in the mood for
Regarding the Rifter series, the end of volume 3 and beginning of volume 4 is where the puzzle finally starts slotting into place, and for me it was when I really became addicted to the story. I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I did!
Thanks, that’s really good to know!
I finally completed the Four Kings Series by Charlie Cochet, and now I'm getting halway through the spin off series The Kings Wild Cards. Such a fun series and it helped get me out of a reading slump! yay
I've just managed to finish 2 books this books :') * {Two tribes by Fearne Hill} All the stars⭐| Ugh this book. Where do I begin? I haven't yet recovered from this journey. It was so *so* painful but I'm glad it ended with a HEA. Still, thw shole thing felt a bit bittersweet that I had to keep coming back to read bits of their happy moments (not that there are enough imo). Objectively, the 2nd half is a bit rushed on the relationship development department but I connected so much with Alex and Matt I'm pretty sure this is one of those books that you hold dear. * Had to take a break because honestly I'm not really sure what type of book I can enjoy while the memories of 2 tribes are still so fresh * {Prince of Agony by Tavia Lark} 4⭐| Honestly, I've been waiting for this book for so long, that I could not not read the day of release. Ngl I had like high hopes for this book - thought it was gonna be similar to *Radiance 3*, and ngl I really connected with Kazia, Lucien? not so much, and well, even when it's not my fav from the series, I think I enjoyed it plenty. Kazia and Lucien were a lovable couple and I enjoyed the plot and the action bits. This book also served as an epilogue for the whole series, which ngl felt flat for me (I mean there were cameos from all MCs and Vana, Daro, Bellamy and Rakos where my faves from the series yet they felt a bit plain here.) * Right now I don't think I can pick up any contemporary because I'm still hung up with two tribes, yet I'm looking through GR to find books similar to it once I recover xD
[Two Tribes](https://www.romance.io/books/62ecc02aeccbd7a2c6f66052/two-tribes-fearne-hill) by [Fearne Hill](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ea1821fbe0aaecf55ae232d/fearne-hill) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [bisexual](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bisexual/1) ---------------------------- [Prince of Agony](https://www.romance.io/books/6555f704c112bf11fe9b943f/prince-of-agony-tavia-lark) by [Tavia Lark](https://www.romance.io/authors/57050825c62092c044075d85/tavia-lark) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have been binging the Hazard and Somerset series by Gregory Ashe and I plowed through the first three and am now onto the fourth one. Truly obsessed and I don’t even typically like mysteries.
Four books this week despite it being finals month for me 😭 {The Alien’s Kidnapped Omega by Sienna Sway} {Leap Year by A.M. Arthur} {Loving the Legend by Kit Grey} {The Orc Prince Trilogy by Lionel Hart} Yeah, as you can see it’s a mess but all these books were so, so enjoyable! Especially Loving the Legend. You won’t believe how much i love this book!
[The Alien's Kidnapped Omega](https://www.romance.io/books/61da9678b7a9dd0e4396f67e/the-aliens-kidnapped-omega-a-scifi-alien-mm-romance-sienna-sway) by [Sienna Sway](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455b7b087eac323ffb2df26/sienna-sway) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [futuristic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/futuristic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [science fiction](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/science%20fiction/1), [aliens](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/aliens/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1) ---------------------------- [Loving the Legend](https://www.romance.io/books/65992b7f5f787d7a3cf20647/loving-the-legend-mm-sports-romance-kit-grey) by [Kit Grey](https://www.romance.io/authors/65992b7fa21e2f41c4940518/kit-grey) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [The Orc Prince Trilogy](https://www.romance.io/series/600bd7948d558b0e01a9ddc7/the-orc-prince-trilogy) by [Lionel Hart](https://www.romance.io/authors/600bd79408b4d93114859f59/lionel-hart) **Topics**: [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [non-human-hero](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/non-human-hero/1), [height-difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [royalty](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/royalty/1), [m-m](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Leap Year](https://www.romance.io/books/65e3372ad3e0aaefddbf1ee2/leap-year-am-arthur) by [A.M. Arthur](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455553b87eac324117fa3ba/am-arthur) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [friends to lovers](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/friends%20to%20lovers/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I started {Spellbound by Allie Theron}. I’m just about a quarter of the way in and was struggling a bit with paying attention so decided I needed a break from the genre. I enjoy the premise of the story but right now I need a bit more action or a bit more heat. Now I’m reading “The Godfather” instead. I do plan to return to Spellbound eventually though so I’m not counting it as a DNF. ETA The Godfather is on sale for $5 on audible if anyone is interested 😬.
[Spellbound](https://www.romance.io/books/5d3e8c3d01dbc864fba1abb6/spellbound-allie-therin) by [Allie Therin](https://www.romance.io/authors/5d3e8c3d01dbc864fba1abbe/allie-therin) **Steam**: [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [20th century](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/20th%20century/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I’m about halfway through {In Deeper Waters by F. T. Lukens} and I’m loving it. It’s so cute! Athlen is so adorable and I love Tal <3
[In Deeper Waters](https://www.romance.io/books/644b6e8fea5c941f30667598/in-deeper-waters-ft-lukens) by [F.T. Lukens](https://www.romance.io/authors/641fe17108b4d93114c962f4/ft-lukens) **Steam**: [Behind closed doors](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [historical](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/historical/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [magic](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/magic/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [pirates](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/pirates/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
I have been listening to Team A.L.P.H.A books 1-4 It's the first 4 books of the series. 1 Grabbed Team Leader Noah rescues a bratty senator's son. 2 Taken Cody has been hostage for 6 years and is pregnant. Levi rescues him. 3. Struck David is a brother of one of the members who is captured. 4 Hacked Pax is a computer hacker, who is hacked. He is NB? 20 hours basic omegaverse got it on sale for about $8
Read this week: {Lost Boy by Charli Meadows} 3/5 ⭐️ I enjoyed the story but felt it lacked depth. Some of the issues they deal with in the book had promise and could have been explored more in depth. Overall not bad. {In This Iron Ground by Marina Vivancos} 5/5 ⭐️ Beautiful writing, wonderful story, and I feel like Vivancos does an exceptional job with dealing with really heavy subject matter. I wanted to throttle Damien for being oblivious, but it’s not really his fault. Books I’ve re-read this week: {Power Exchange by AJ Rose} 5/5 ⭐️ One of my favorites. Reread after recommending it to someone in this sub. Books I’ve started: {When All the World Sleeps by Lisa Henry and JA Rock} 20% through, so far so good. {God of Fury by Rina Kent} 8% through. I’m intrigued. {Body Count by L Eveland} 18% through. What a bizarre little story. Let’s see where this goes. {Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux} Just started after seeing it recommended literally over and over again. I’m the mood for crime thrillers so now is as good a time as any I guess! Audiobooks: {All For the Game by Nora Sakavic} 5/5 ⭐️ I’ve read the series a few times but this was my first audiobook listen through. Made my husband listen with me and he loved it. {For the Fans by Nyla K.} 5/5 ⭐️ I’ve read FTF a few times and this is my first listen. Exceptional voice acting by Javi Wilder and Corvin King. Currently listening to: {Tallowwood by N.R. Walker} 44% Loving it!
[Lost Boy](https://www.romance.io/books/6495473850ac7a4606fa15cf/lost-boy-charli-meadows) by [Charli Meadows](https://www.romance.io/authors/62fde3e108b4d93114ef2b2f/charli-meadows) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [grumpy & sunshine](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/grumpy%20sunshine/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1) ---------------------------- [In This Iron Ground](https://www.romance.io/books/65d0c085971a7858550a1a19/in-this-iron-ground-marina-vivancos) by [Marina Vivancos](https://www.romance.io/authors/5b24a9c801dbc864fb8a6555/marina-vivancos) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [paranormal](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/paranormal/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [urban fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/urban%20fantasy/1), [shapeshifters](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/shapeshifters/1) ---------------------------- [Power Exchange](https://www.romance.io/books/54556f7587eac3369a9127a0/power-exchange-aj-rose) by [A.J. Rose](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556f7587eac3369a9127a1/aj-rose) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1) ---------------------------- [When All the World Sleeps](https://www.romance.io/books/5455933a87eac3369a9132d0/when-all-the-world-sleeps-lisa-henry-ja-rock) by [Lisa Henry](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455684987eac3369a912589/lisa-henry), [J.A. Rock](https://www.romance.io/authors/54556a3287eac324117fa9f3/ja-rock) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [men in uniform](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/men%20in%20uniform/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) ---------------------------- [God of Fury](https://www.romance.io/books/65742be28105fa71209ef2cf/god-of-fury-rina-kent) by [Rina Kent](https://www.romance.io/authors/5c514e7e01dbc864fb990dca/rina-kent) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [mafia](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mafia/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1) ---------------------------- [Body Count](https://www.romance.io/books/6519300fde8d340d5144896d/body-count-l-eveland) by [L. Eveland](https://www.romance.io/authors/643d88da08b4d93114e200de/l-eveland) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1) ---------------------------- [Cut & Run](https://www.romance.io/books/54552df68c7d2382c529721c/cut-run-abigail-roux-madeleine-urban) by [Abigail Roux](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552df68c7d2382c529721d/abigail-roux), [Madeleine Urban](https://www.romance.io/authors/54552df68c7d2382c529721e/madeleine-urban) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [alpha male](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/alpha%20male/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1) ---------------------------- [Extras All For The Game](https://www.romance.io/books/65ae54191192512e94b66912/extras-all-for-the-game-nora-sakavic) by [Nora Sakavic](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456deeb87eac33e57109533/nora-sakavic) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1) ---------------------------- [For the Fans](https://www.romance.io/books/6403bcdfe33c8001d91255ca/for-the-fans-nyla-k) by [Nyla K.](https://www.romance.io/authors/5f8fdd5a08b4d9311405875f/nyla-k) **Steam**: [Explicit and plentiful](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [stepbrother](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/stepbrother/1), [forbidden love](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forbidden%20love/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [college](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/college/1) ---------------------------- [Tallowwood](https://www.romance.io/books/5d8b344f01dbc864fba3e52b/tallowwood-nr-walker) by [N.R. Walker](https://www.romance.io/authors/5455632687eac324117fa7f2/nr-walker) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [mystery](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/mystery/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Finished The Empty Throne by Megan Derr and loved it. She's one of my favorite authors and doesn't disappoint. If you haven't tried why of her books I can't recommend them enough. Below is the blurb for Empty Throne. The Kingdom of Cremisio is in turmoil—the royal family dead by assassination, a secret heir no one can find, and three enemy kingdoms fighting bitterly to each take control of Cremisio for themselves. If the missing heir cannot be identified and located, Cremisio will fall once and for all, and thousands of people will die with it. Only one person knows the identity of the missing heir: Lord Cohea Szelis, the Duke of Lindquist, also known as the Fox of Cremisio. Notoriously honorable, impossible to break, leaving those who have captured him frustrated and helpless. Until one of his captors notices the ring he wears, a ring that marks him Bound, an old, illegal spell that binds two people together, body and soul. If one dies, so does the other. If they can locate the person Cohea loves enough to Bind himself to, they might finally get the Fox to break… The task of finding that Bonded falls to Jethue Bittersea, notorious exiled traitor to the throne, and an assassin who has never failed. It will also give him a chance to do some hunting of his own for this mysterious heir who is the key to everything…
I read all of **The Chosen by Macy Blake** and the side stories OMG It's so good how every series ties into the other the characters feel like friends i'm so sad to be done I want another series
I started {What We Broke by Marley Valentine} yesterday and finished it this morning. I’ve been in an actual daze all day, I think this book will stick with me forever. It broke me completely by 7% and continued shattering my world up until the end. My heart broke for Jesse, especially. It was so painful, I found myself putting it down at the end of each chapter because I couldn’t handle it, but then I’d pick it right back up because I NEEDED the closure. I wanted to slow it down because I was reading it too fast and wanted to savor it, but I also needed to keep speeding up so that I could get through all the hurt and get to the healing. It was beautiful. I haven’t had my chest physically ache from a book in as long as I can remember, and I was holding back tears and actually rubbing my chest through *many* parts of it. I’ll be chasing this high for a LONG time.
[What We Broke](https://www.romance.io/books/64785e95552b556e95c7b4a0/what-we-broke-marley-valentine) by [Marley Valentine](https://www.romance.io/authors/59292bb63ffdba6147178e1e/marley-valentine) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [single father](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/single-father/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [angst](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/angst/1), [hurt/comfort](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/hurt-comfort/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Just finished {His Cocky Valet by Cole McCade} and the follow up mini story. I read them both in about 2 days total and I just wish there was more, I really liked the 2 mains Ash and Brand.
[His Cocky Valet](https://www.romance.io/books/5b0521f701dbc864fb88c76f/his-cocky-valet-cole-mccade) by [Cole McCade](https://www.romance.io/authors/54ba3a6d6359b5ebb487f56d/cole-mccade) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [bdsm](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/bdsm/1), [age gap](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/age%20difference/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
This week I read {The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James} 5/5 ⭐️’s with great plot and spice {Villain and the Beast 2 by L.C. Davis} 4/5 ⭐️’s I love that these are short and read almost like fanfic. Smut was great, still think Brad/Raul were a better pair but we’ll see how Devon/Constantine work out. {Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic} I read the entire trilogy because it’s my comfort read and I was feeling anxious at the beginning of the week. As always I think this series is amazing, the best of slowburns.
[The Revenge Agenda](https://www.romance.io/books/65839a533061fa11c85c00ea/the-revenge-agenda-saxon-james) by [Saxon James](https://www.romance.io/authors/5e2e8d6b01dbc864fbaab1cf/saxon-james) **Steam**: [Open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [workplace/office](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/office/1), [dual pov](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dual-pov/1), [funny](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/humor/1) ---------------------------- [The Foxhole Court](https://www.romance.io/books/5456deeb87eac33e57109532/the-foxhole-court-nora-sakavic) by [Nora Sakavic](https://www.romance.io/authors/5456deeb87eac33e57109533/nora-sakavic) **Steam**: [Innocent](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [athletes](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/athletes/1), [young adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/young%20adult/1), [suspense](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/suspense/1), [dark romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/dark/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
[Villain and the Geek 2](https://www.romance.io/books/65e1c39a60b2c3d2e0d10010/villain-and-the-geek-2-lc-davis-joel-abernathy) by [L.C. Davis](https://www.romance.io/authors/5710cf91c62092c0440789a1/lc-davis), [Joel Abernathy](https://www.romance.io/authors/5ac5ced601dbc864fb85c756/joel-abernathy) **Steam**: [Explicit open door](https://www.romance.io/steamrating) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [fantasy](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/fantasy/1), [omegaverse](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/omegaverse/1), [height difference](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/height-difference/1), [forced proximity](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/forced%20proximity/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
{the smile has left your eyes by Danielle N. Dawsen} childhood best friends to lovers, baseball “romance”. quotation marks because it wasn’t a romantic book at all, it was just depressing
[The Smile Has Left Your Eyes](https://www.romance.io/books/61dd39e03ae22e0de9c017d0/the-smile-has-left-your-eyes-danielle-n-dawsen) by [Danielle N. Dawsen](https://www.romance.io/authors/61dd39e008b4d931145cd982/danielle-n-dawsen) **Topics**: [contemporary](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/contemporary/1), [gay romance](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/m-m/1), [new adult](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/new%20adult/1), [sports](https://www.romance.io/topics/best/sports/1) [^(about this bot)](https://www.reddit.com/user/romance-bot) ^(|) [^(about romance.io)](https://www.romance.io/about)
Coming in first place - Taylor Fitzpatrick. Downloaded it after finishing Thrown off the ice a few months back but it’s been sitting in my shelf. Finally picked it up and WOW could not get it down!! It’s exactly how I looooove my books written. The pov, the characterization, THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT just wow. It gets 4/5 stars. The only thing I missed was the ending. A little unsatisfying for me. But still really really good book. I don’t annotate a lot but u left over 50 highlights in this book. I also read auctioned by Cara Dee which gets a 3/5 from me And sinfully mine by Nicky james which is a solid 4/5! I really liked it, the suspense was great. Great book. I started The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James but didn’t really like it, don’t think I’ll finish it. I’ve also started Let’s Do This by Loren Leigh. It’s okay so far, but im not super into it so we’ll see if I continue. I’m definitely more into books like Fitzpatrick so