Review: Damage

Damage by Mia Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ohhhhhhh, how do I explain how much I love this story!!!

“Let’s go back in time to three years ago when I begged you to stay. Or how about when I begged you to let me come. You told me you didn’t want to be in my way. Well, Seppe, you’re in my way now. Go on with your life and leave me out of it. You’re good at that.”

Welcome to the second book from an author who’s becoming one of my autobuys - Damage: A Love in the City Novel is another fantastic read from Mia Monroe and she had me hooked from the first line! The promise of a second chance romance (yes, I love these too!!!) between a chef and a teacher/aspiring author was too strong for me to resist.

I loved the introduction to Nolan Brooks and the town of Beacon at the end of Deviate: A Love in the City Novel. You don’t need to have read it to enjoy Damage but JPK does make an appearance and his lovely other half Quinn is mentioned. I’m guessing this is a series of standalones set in a singular universe - Mia, please correct me if I’m wrong! I’m loving the town and the residents we’ve met so far, so I’m anticipating a fabulous series of stories that prove the only thing that matters is love and that love always wins. It definitely wins when the universe conspires against you!



Nolan Brooks was crushed when Seppe Stilo pushed him aside and took off to teach in Italy for a year. It was a dream chance, he would have never asked him to turn it down - he would have followed Seppe anywhere because he loved him that much. Unbeknownst to Seppe, and Nolan, he felt exactly the same way but somewhere in his thinking and planning for his future he’d never seen meeting the man of his dreams before all that travelling had happened. He didn’t recognize what was right in front of his face in the relationship he had with Nolan -

His hand grips the base of my neck, holding my mouth a prisoner to his, but I’d happily belong to him if he kissed me like this every day. This is more than a kiss. This is an experience. This is a beginning.

They had chemistry, a happy domesticity and yet… When Seppe leaves for Italy, he lets it all crash and burn because he doesn’t want to take Nolan’s dreams of being a Michelin star chef of his own restaurant from him to have him follow along behind him. Worst. Mistake. EVER! Watching them come back from that to find each other? Absolutely beautiful!



Can I just say, I love the friendship between Trina and Nolan? Everyone needs a friend to help them pick up the pieces and move on with life when their hearts get broken - Trina does this for Nolan beautifully. Their banter constantly made me laugh and her advice was touching and on point for someone who knew what Nolan had been like in the aftermath of the breakup.

“Unless you want to try talking to him.”

“I’ve had four shots. Ain’t no talking happening tonight.”

“Then you could angry fuck him.” She giggles. “Then kick him out in the morning. That would be so hot.”

I laugh. “For who?”

“You while it’s happening, and me when you tell me about it.”

There were so many great moments in here for both of them with Trina - that she could be a friend to both men, see that this was the great love of her friend's life and know that Nolan needed to actually deal with the pain and heal from their separation in order to see what they could have together in future was beautiful. She was like their wise woman and their biggest fangirl!

Nolan and Seppe still have a smoldering spark between them and they learn through honest talks and trying to rebuild a friendship first that they were always meant to be. This is a fabulous second chance story for that reason. It's not ignored that Seppe caused him pain when he left - they deal with those ghosts several times throughout their tale and many authors seem to have their characters "get over it" way too quickly. It takes them time to build some trust back and there are moments that shake that trust between them but they work through them by communicating openly and honestly.

I'm so in love with this series, I think you need some of my…

Favourite Lines -

”He was married. I was pissed when I found out. That’s not my style, you know.”

“Husband not cutting it at home?”

“Wife doesn’t have a dick.”

“Ooh.” I scrunch my face. “Hate that shit.”

“You and me both.”

His words may say we’re just friends, but his kiss says we’re so much more.

“Want to come over? Or I’ll come over there.”

“Come to me. Took my bra off. Not putting it back on.”

I laugh. “On my way.”

When the music starts and the first performer comes out, I try to ignore the growing desire to take him home with me tonight. We’re just friends. Who’s brilliant fucking idea was that? Oh, that’s right. It was my dumb ass.

“God, Brooks. Me too. So much. If you ever give me the chance I will blow your mind. I will love you so hard. You deserve nothing less than my entire heart. It’s yours.”

His bottom lip quivers, but he pulls me close and kisses me again. Soft, sweet, sensual kisses. “You’ve owned me since the day we met,” he whispers. “I love it, and I hate it.”

Pull up a seat and wait with me for more from this author - and one click this baby today!!!! You need these two in you life, you don't know it yet - BUT YOU DO!!!!



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Review: Falling for His Friend

Falling for His Friend by Jamie June
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a new to me author - I'm coming in at book four of a series people and that's maybe not the best idea I have ever had when in comparison to this one because I felt like I was missing something. So my rating is a 4 star - I want to give it more and I reserve the right to come back to this after I've read the first books in the series and revise it.



Falling for His Friend is the fourth book in Jamie June's Soldier's Support Group series and it's the story of Nicholas, a seemingly straight man who’s going through a wicked divorce from a crazy ex, and Jaren, an out and proud man who is probably the sweetest thing I've ever read, and how they stumble past the line of friendship to the realization that they are meant to be together. Definitely friends to lovers (which I love) and a GFY/OFY story here, and while I loved the story and the writing and the story, there is a little something lacking in the secondary character relationships if you haven't read the other books in the series. I know it made me want to read the others to see how they got to the opening chapter's wedding and how their friendships developed - and their relationships.



And considering what Nicholas is going through, can you imagine starting the chapter being a guest at a wedding while you're in the middle of something cruel and heartbreaking like he was? I turned down numerous wedding invites to some of my closest friends when I was in the middle of my divorce, so I understood that deep loneliness that Nicholas was feeling.

It was a slow, steady, unpleasant cycle: feel bad for yourself that you're alone, get mad at yourself for being jealous, feel bad because you're jealous, rinse, repeat.

How many times did I do the same? His feelings of failure and moments where utter worthlessness crept into his soul really struck a chord with me. I know I went through that cycle every time someone posted something slightly happy on social media with their significant other, why would being present at a wedding be any different?

Normally, I would give you my favourite lines and they'd be hilarious - these ones made me feel as well as some of them making me laugh…

Favourite Lines -

"Champagne's the kind if drink I feel like I can drink alone," I told him catching his attention again. I leaned in just a little, to keep the conversation between friends. "It's not everyday like beer is or as hard as, say, and sophisticated in a kind of Audrey-Hepburn-living-alone-in-the-city way."

He snorted but didn't smile outright. "Jaren, that's literally the gayest thing I've ever heard."

I nudged him again, getting just a bit closer.

"It's not weird to be, like… you know."

Okay, maybe not my finest speech.

He was always handsome, always sweet, always there.

It's always the friends, in all the romcoms. It's always the one right in front of you./blockquote>

In a feat only achieved by intense need and lust, I managed to open my front door with my back to it and without looking at the lock. That's skill right there.

Lingering Questions -

1) What the hell came before this one?!?! I need the other books to know the backstories --
ASAP!
2) I wanna see what's happening with Ian!!!! How long are we waiting?????



Pick this one up and give it chance while I go back and read all about the side characters - you don’t really need to have read the rest, but I felt like I was missing something so I think this should probably be read in order.



One-click this baby today!

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Review: Kaden

Kaden by R.J. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love. How the hell had that happened? How was it that pretending to be in love had become so much more than that?

Oh, this book! THIS BOOK!!!! This story was so much more than I was prepared for, and I don't know if I can even do the story justice in my review.

Kaden is a boyfriend for hire story - a fake relationship with a little bit of forced proximity where the acting becomes more than just acting in which Kaden and Ryan find a way to heal the hurts that the past has left behind for both of them. I think I've found a new favourite for this trope! It makes me want to rewind and read Darcy to get the full feeling of the series! Yes, this is the second in the Boyfriend for Hire series but it can totally be read as a standalone because that's what I just did!!



I wasn't expecting this book to be so hard for me to read - please don't get me wrong, it wasn't because this was a bad story! Look at my rating, this was an excellent story on par with what I expect when I read a book that has R.J. Scott's name attached to it. The reason it was so hard was because of Ryan's history with his ex - because I lived that kind of relationship. I've been there, got the t-shirt and all the PTSD and trust issues to prove it.

Where Kaden's issues came to his family life and how he was raised, Ryan's with an emotionally (and implied physically) abusive ex. What was worse was how Ryan was stuck in a cycle of pain because of a damning viral video that was leaked to the media that threatens to turn his skyrocketing career into flaming wreckage because of that relationship. I won't spoil exactly who leaked the video, or even who filmed it because both are an integral part of the story that brings him to his moment of healing when he could stand up and say Me Too without complete embarrassment and fear. That was the most beautiful part of this whole story - just seeing Ryan make those steps towards the long road to healing his soul and finally taking a chance on loving someone else and giving them the trust required to hold his heart in their hands. I can't say I'm completely there yet myself, but I don't shy away from the fact that I've lived it. I've accepted that there was no fault in me that made those things happen. That wasn't love, and I didn't deserve the treatment I received and it was something beautiful to see Ryan feel safe, to be honest with the world and let his story be heard.

Normally, I would give you my favourite lines - but so many of them are spoilery this time that I can't do as many as I usually would. So here are the few that stuck with me…

Favourite Lines -

"I should have stayed on Destiny Cove; it was easier there."

Carmen smiled, then said, "You were lucky to get out before the alien dinosaur baby storyline, which you know would have deteriorated into Dino-porn, where you'd forever be known as the T-Rex of handjobs."

That kiss. That had been everything he'd ever wanted. The taste of it, the confidence, the experience - it was all the things that he'd never had with anyone else.

I want more.

I can't have more. Not for real.

Trust was fragile, like a thin layer of ice over water, and he didn't want to endure the heart-rending chill of the freezing waters below, not again.

Seriously, people, you need to read this book. Read it for the beauty that R.J. Scott and Meredith Russell have brought the world shining a light on what love and relationships look like when you are a survivor of an abusive relationship. One click this baby today! You’re going to love it!!!



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Review: Deviate: A Love in the City Novel

Deviate: A Love in the City Novel by Mia Monroe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Do you know what one of my favourite tropes is? Fake relationships. I can't tell you why it just is. Seeing two people grow together and fall in love when there is at least something there between them before they find themselves in the relationship (friendship, attraction, raw chemistry) does something to me. Now take that trope (well, more like a marriage of convenience) and add it to a first time same-sex relationship where two close friends transition to lovers before the end?



YES PLEASE!!!!



That's what you get when you pick up Mia Monroe's debut novel Deviate: A Love in the City Novel. You get this beautiful story of two friends who become so much more in what started out as a way for one to get a tax break turns into a meaningful lifetime love. Stop me right now, I'm waxing poetic about these guys and I can't help myself !!!

"I've never wanted a man sexually. Sometimes my brain asks why is this happening. Why do I want this." He smiles. "It's not that I don't though. Do you wonder why sometimes?"

Jason is a man with means. He's well invested, a driven and dedicated real estate mogul in New York who's frustrated at giving as much money in tax to the IRS as many of us are at paying taxes, but he has a giving heart and would rather donate that money and do things to help the people he loves than pay it in taxes. When he's offered for the millionth time the option of getting married to get that tax break with a marriage of convenience, he's skeptical. How could he choose to commit himself to anyone? He didn't want the potential to lose what he'd amassed in wealth, or his tax break, when the other party decided they wanted a real relationship that he couldn't give them.

And then there's Quinn. He's the quintessential starving artist, suffering for his creative process which itself is starting to suffer because of the feelings of failure and depression crushing down on him. He's flailing. He's been selling off anything he can just to make ends meet because he has yet to see success as an artist. He has the talent, Jason knows he has the talent, but he hasn’t broken through yet as one of the many artists in residence in New York. What starts as a suggestion by their mutual friend becomes the moment JPK becomes a pseudo knight in shining armour.

Can you tell, I always love these marriage of convenience/fake relationship stories when one character needs saving??? Can you??? Because I do!

These guys have been friends for most of their lives. Neither can claim best friend status with anyone else, but they can claim the closest relationship they have is with each other. And it's a relationship that grows deeper and deeper the closer they get. One thing I love about this book is that Mia Monroe doesn’t shy away from the fact that Jason is questioning. He's never felt this kind of attraction before, whether the fact that his attraction is to his "best" friend who is much more open and exploratory with his sexuality. I think that was probably one of the best parts of this book. That even though he's questioning where this is coming from, he knows that it feels right and that keeps going back with a willingness to explore the sensation and learn what feels good to him. The whole idea of being free to feel and to explore with each other was a prominent and beautiful part of Quinn and Jason's love story - and the physical aspect of that relationship was certainly hot while the emotional parts were incredibly rewarding.



Normally there's a lot of funny stuff in here but you'll find a lot more heart in my…

Favourite Lines -

"Too fucking proud. Especially to Jason. He's a year older than me, but it's like he's twenty years ahead. He's a fucking millionaire at thirty, and I'm still hustling to get grocery money."

"Billionaire."

"What?"

"Yeah. His Investments."

"Doesn't make me feel better."

To rid myself of nervous energy, I stand and grab some paint before sitting in front of my latest canvas. I call it Before the Dawn in the hope this is my darkest moment and the sun is just around the corner. Maybe Jason is the sun.

"Nothing wrong with holding out for epic." He grins. "Just don't fall in love. I'm the princess in this story."

I haven't felt like this since I was a kid learning what turned me on. Quinn… turns me on. Why and how is confusing the shit out of me.

"Are you sure you don't need to see a doctor?" he asks. "You're still really pale."

"I'm Irish. I'm always pale."

"If you were a girl - " I shake my head.

"If I was a girl, what?"

"If I was a girl, you wouldn’t question our connection, right?"

"Wrong. If you were a girl and I felt the way I do, I would run."

I smile, "Same."

So then am I straight with an asterisk? Some exceptions apply? Fuck me. I have no idea.

"We thought our lives would just go on as they were, but the smartest people know it's ok to deviate, make new plans, adjust."

This was possibly one of the best M/M debuts I've had the privilege of reading. One-click this baby on July 15th and feel the real and beautiful story of Jason and Quinn as they move from friendship to something so much more.



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Review: Your Neighborhood Vixen

Your Neighborhood Vixen by Tarrah Anders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hot damn Tarrah Anders has done it again!!! People - if you need a story that has heart, feelings and very steamy sexy times than look no further and come on down to the The Neighborhood.



I've been loving this series since book one (If you haven't read Noah & Valerie's story, seriously what are you waiting for???? Go grab it now!) where we were introduced to this amazing family dynamic of The Neighborhood. Let's face it, once we "grow up" we spend more time with our coworkers than we ever do with our friends and family in any given day so having that family dynamic is when you know you're working somewhere great. I've had that - and I loved it! I miss it now that I've moved to a new job - and I really think that is what has made me fall in love with these quick bites into that world.

Noah & Valerie and the start of it all - Your Neighborhood Bartender



Miles & Missy and the guy who's stolen my heart - Your Neighborhood Bastard



And then we come to Your Neighborhood Vixen with Rhiannon & Luke. Holy moly I had no idea what to expect here, and I was not disappointed with what I found!

Rhiannon is having a bad day. After being rushed to the ER with some crazy pains when she breathes, Rhiannon is faced with Doctor Hottie - I mean, Dr. Luke Mattias. Man, he tried to play it cool and professional but both of them were struck with an instant attraction that could only be delayed, not denied and my how those sparks caught fire!



This is a quick read, with a lot of heart and some very steamy scenes - seriously, how do you do it? I'd be terrified that every sex scene would look the same or feel formulaic after this many books but they don't! They steam up the pages when they - finally - get their acts together and get together!!!



And, yes, even a bite sized book leaves me with some…

Favourite Lines -

"Fuck what the rules say. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken."

"So back to your hot doctor serial killer."

"Dude! He's totally not a serial killer."

"You sleeping on my couch drove me crazy," I return.

"It was the only way that I could properly respect you."

"I wanted to be fucked , not respected. But thank you for wanting to."

"What's a Big Guy? Is that some strange code for a pounding? Am I getting my ass kicked?"

One click this baby today - you will love Rhiannon and Luke, I can promise you that!



And then you can wait with me for the next trip to the The Neighborhood...



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