ashbellareadsmm's reviews
254 reviews

 4.0 ⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: eBook
Series: As Above #4
Can be read as a standalone

Character Development: 3.5/5 • Mac was such a sweetheart. I wanted to wrap him up and protect him from the world. His journey through therapy was emotionally and raw. Jordan just needed to realize he deserves love and his past does not define him. The character growth from beginning to end was done well.

Plot: 3.5/5 • The plot was engaging and well written. Two idiots that finally get their shit together. There is A LOT of pining so prepare your heart.

Writing Style: 3/5 • The book was well written, with no grammatical or spelling errors.

Spice Level: 2/5 • Jordan's internal thoughts, omg swoon. They were so good together, which is why every time they didn't choose each other just hurt more.

Overall Rating: 4/5 • The amount of pining in this book had my poor heart weeping. The first half of the book was rough (Part 1 & 2). Definitely idiots to lovers, high on the miscommunication. I have never wanted to smash two characters heads together more than I did Jordan & Mac. However, Part 3 was the redemption Jordan & Mac, needed and deserved. I was honestly so sad to see these two go. I wanted more but alas all good things must end.

This was my first book by Rae Stone and I will definitely check out any other MM books she decides to release. This was book 4 in the As Above series but can be read as a standalone. The other books in the series are MF pairings. I haven't read any of the other books in the series and didn't feel that I was missing out.


Tropes:
🖤 Bodyguard x Rockstar
🧡 Queer Awakening
🖤 High Angst
🧡 All the Pining
🖤 Best Friends to Strangers to Lovers
🧡 Idiots to Lovers
🖤 Miscommunication

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup: 

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing February 17, 2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

 5⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Longwood U #2

Prior reading is not required. However, to get more of Edin's back story, I recommend reading Dak & Sparrow's story, linked below. I have also linked the parent's books but by no means do you need to read them to enjoy Edin & Eli's story. Crea's For Puck's Sake series is really good, so I would suggest adding them to your TBR.
• Dak & Sparrow's book(MM) - Rumor Has It (Longwood U #1)
• Elijah & Zeke's Parent's book(MM) - Wingman Score (For Puck's Sake #5 - Standalone)
• Dak's Parent's book (MMM) - Starting Line (For Puck's Sake #2 - Standalone)

Check your triggers prior to reading. There are heavy topics discussed.

Character Development: 4/5 • I fell in love with Edin in Rumor Has It. I couldn't imagine what person would capture his heart and take care of him. Along comes Eli and he was better than I could have hoped for. They were both such dynamic characters.

Plot: 4/5• The plot was engaging and well written. There was some hockey moments, that included Mo that will melt your heart. The plot was mainly Edin, Eli and Mo becoming a family. Growing together and individually.

Writing Style: 4.5/5• The book was well written, with no grammatical or spelling errors. Things were explained in a way that didn't feel like overkill. As always her writing made me feel like I was in the heads of the MCs.

Spice Level: 3/5 • I have said it so many times now but Crea does an amazing job making sure both MCs feel comfortable in the moment. She is the consent queen. Eli could read Edin better than Edin could. The aftercare Eli provided just melted my heart.

Overall Rating: 5/5• Edin's story did not disappoint. I was waiting patiently for his story ever since Rumor Has It. I loved him and Mo (Edin's daughter). I wanted to wrap them up and hide them away so no more bad could come to them. Then in walks Eli, who just wants to take care of Edin, who accepts his quirks, his daughter and falls in love with both of them. Mo and Eli's relationship melted me into a puddle of goop. The moments they shared were so dang heartwarming. I am a sucker for the single dad trope if done right, and Crea has done it. Also, the frat boys loving Mo as if they were her uncles, total swoon. She kept the side cast small again with this one, but I fell in love with Eli's brother Zeke. I feel like every time I read one of her stories I come out loving a side character almost as much as the main characters. I hope Zeke and Mario get a book with some more Mo content. All in all this was a such good book, with well rounded characters, a sassy 8 year old going on 30, and lots of snuggles. Edin finally got the happy ending he deserves. ♥

Side note: Do yourself a favor and read the tropes for Project FU, the next book in the Longwood series. They can be found at the end of Wicked Confessions. When I tell you I choked. It hints at the next pairing and if my thoughts are correct, it's gonna be a good one.


Tropes:
• Single Dad
• Cheerleader x Hockey Player
• Aftercare
• Frat Boys Raising Kid
• Super Sweet Boys
• Reluctant to Love
• Gay for Pay
• Bi-awakening
• HEA


Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Coming February 13, 2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

 4.5 ⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Mar's Fitness #3
 
Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Wow... This book had me in my feels. I was crying through a good portion of it. The grief and immense sadness could be felt. It left me with an ache in my heart for Owen, Everest and Ivy.

Owen and Everest were such a good pairing. So different from each other but softening the edges to each other. Owen wins the award for the bossiest bottom, and I was so here for it. While this was a love story between Owen and Everest, it was also a love letter to family and finding your people. Ivy was absolutely adorable and I felt for her. Being so tiny and having big emotions is hard to deal with and I felt like Linden wrote Ivy's story very well. Overall, this was a really good addition to the Mar's Fitness series. It's probably my favorite so far and I loved Sawyer and Preston in Stacked.


Tropes:
• Enemies to Lovers
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Opposites Attract
• Forced Proximity
• Nerd/Jock
• Brothers-in-law
• Raising a kid together

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Coming February 23, 2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: MMM Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Murder Daddy # 3

Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Spice Level: 4/5
Overall Rating: 5/5

Too bad, so sad, if you don't read this book, I'm gonna tell Dad.

The Bens broken my heart in Kiss, Kill, Thrill Me, Daddy. This book was so different from the other two Murder Daddy books in the series but just as UNHINGED. It was a sweet and slutty romance. Nate St James is the daddiest of all daddys who ever dadded.

I need Pastor Brooks book like yesterday - Slay the Gay Away, Daddy


Tropes:
• Childhood BFFs to Lovers
• Ex-boyfriends Dad 
• Codependent 
• Age Gap
• Tatum & Abi cameos 
• HEA


Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes 

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Foxwood Hollow # 1

Character Development: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Spice Level: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5

This was so good. The beginning had me in tears. The pining, the pain... it was top notch. I love good brother's best friend trope, especially if they grew up together. There is something about the pining for years that gets me in my feels.

Dylan is such a dynamic character. He was funny, dramatic and absolutely sweet. Thrown in Axel and they are such a stunning pair. The glimpses of the early years of their relationship set the feels for the last half of the book. I fell in love with Dylan's brother Cooper and I hope he gets his own book.

I liked the setup of this book. A decent portion of the book was watching their relationship blossom. It was refreshing not feeling so rushed to have the MCs get together and then have the book end. Overall, this was a really sweet omegaverse.


Tropes:
• Slow burn
• Omegaverse
• Fox shifters
• Brother's best friend
• Small Town
• Size difference
• HEA


Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 02/27/2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: MMM Dark Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Devilry #2
The series is best read in order, starting with Leviathan

Check your triggers prior to reading. This book is not a typical romance

Character Development: 3.5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Twisted. Demented. Pure Perfection.

Mammon, Belphegor (Gore) and Beelzebub (Bel) are probably my favorite dark throuple. They are everything you shouldn't love wrapped with a bloody bow. Bel & Gore together alone were magnificent but add in Daddy Mammon and they are unhinged goodness. While there were times throughout the story I wanted to throw Mammon out the window, he redeemed himself in the end. Bel & Gore are by far the shining stars in this entire book. My favorite Terror Twins.

The world Maddison has created in Juniper Ridge is interesting. I'm still trying to piece together what the Master's vision was for the community and the brothers he brought together. I feel like I have more questions than answers, but I will patiently wait for Asi's book. The book does end on a cliffhanger for the series but Mammon, Gore & Bel's story is wrapped up in the end.

For your own safety I will say again, check the triggers prior to reading. This book is extremely dark and the romance is more toxic and filthy, than sweet and fluffy.

Also, the bonus scene at the end 🥵


Tropes:
• MMM
• Feminization
• Humiliation
• Toxic
• Manipulative Love


Trigger Warnings

• Feminization
• Kidnapping
• On Page Sexual Assault
• Murder
• Torture
• PTSD
• 18+ Sexual Scenes

 

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Triple POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 02/04/2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Van Doren # 2

Character Development: 3.5/5
Plot: 3.5/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 1/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

Noaz is such a sweet human. I did not expect Briar to be the other MC of this book, but I was not disappointed. This one definitely gave us more insight into the Van Doren empire. It was a lot of world building for the series. However, it was also a very sweet romance between 2 lovely humans. In the end, we get a wee bit of murder that I've come to expect from the Van Doren's.

I can't wait to see how the rest of the books come along. ♥

Tropes:
• Slow burn
• First Times
• NB Character
• Swoony
• HEA

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup: 

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 01/16/2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: M/M Romance Novella
Format: E-Book

Spice Level: 3/5
Overall Rating: 5/5

OMG, are you serious there isn't more?? I need a full length Shane & Beau novel, stat!

These two were so stinking cute. Shane's sexy swagger and Beau, with his sweet kitten self. I didn't want this to end. It's hard to say a lot because I don't want to spoil these two adorable boys. ♥ Just do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this novella, especially if you like lacey lingerie, pillow princesses and praise.


Tropes:
• Instalust
• Size Difference
• Good Boy
• Praise Kink
• HEA


Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 02/10/2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Viking Wolves # 1

Character Development: 3.5/5
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Spice Level: 2/5
Overall Rating: 3.5/5

I wanted to like this book more than I did. There wasn't anything wrong, I just couldn't get into it much. The premise was very interesting and the author's execution was done well, but something was missing for me. Overall, if you like Viking lore and wolves this might be a good read for you. 

Tropes:
• Wolf Shifters
• Fated Mates
• Time Travel 
• HEA

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 01/27/2025)

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: M/M Romance
Format: E-Book
Series: Totally Pucked # 1

Character Development: 3.9/5 • Ant is definitely the underdog of this story. I didn't like him, and wanted to stew in my hatred for him. However, throughout the book, he became one of my favorite characters. Robbie was so endearing on his own, that I instantly loved him. Ant though, he worked for it. He grew so much throughout the pages and it was lovely to see.

Plot: 3.9/5 • The plot was well written. It is mostly Ant & Robbie finding their way to each other. There is definitely hockey mixed in as well, but it was not the main focus.

Writing Style: 3.9/5 • The book was well written, with no grammatical or spelling errors. Jesse was able to capture both Ant & Robbie so well, I felt like I was in their heads.

Spice Level: 4/5 • *FAN SELF* Ant & Robbie, holy crap they were so delicious. Ant has a mouth of him and he definitely knows how to use it. Consent is important in books for me (as in real life) and there were just a few scenes that didn't do it for me.

Not discussing safe sex, and assuming someone is more experienced and therefore doesn't need the extra checks

Overall Rating: 4.75/5 • I almost feel blindsided by this book and these characters. I honestly didn't expect to love them as much as I do. I spent the first half of the book, enjoying the tension, the hate. Then BAM, I was smacked in the face with the swoon, and I was here for it. Ant came out of his shell and I fell more in love with him as a person. He is the type of person, that you can count on, that no matter what, you know will be there for you. He is the type of guy you want in your corner. Then there's Ronnie - he's nothing but chaotic, sunshiney goodness. He will lift you up, and light up your world when you need it most. The pairing of these two was top notch. The way Jesse developed their connection and love, I wouldn't have done it any other way. 🩵🐜

I absolutely cannot wait for next addition in the Totally Pucked series.

Tropes:
• Rivals to Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Bi-Awakening
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Feminine Nicknames
• HEA

Cheating:

No

Third-act breakup:

No

POV: Dual POV (First Person POV)
KU: Yes (Releasing 01/09/2025)
I received an advance review copy, and this is my honest review.