daniireads's reviews
2770 reviews

**rating based off the following stories**

 

<b>Solving the Puzzle by AM Arthur</b>

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Reseller Atty finds himself with an abundance of old puzzles after purchasing a storage unit full of odds and ends. With no real clue what to do with them and not wanting to trash them, Atty hits up the local community center for their weekly Puzzle Swap. 

 

There he meets Trace, who discovers that several of the puzzles Atty donated contain letters between Teddy and the mysterious 'X'. & as the pair sort through the remaining puzzles and connect over the one-sided correspondence, they find their own happy ending along the way.  

 

Honestly, this story and these letters smacked me right in the feels with how beautiful and sad this was. & would have absolutely loved for this to have been longer or turned into a full length!

 

<b>Bittersweet by Ana Ashley</b>

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

 

After gaining guardianship of his brother, and learning about his HIV+ diagnosis, Constantine goes from being working in a Michelin Star restaurant as a pastry chef to making sure his brother takes his meds and does his homework. 

Needing to provide his brother with more stability and attention, Constantine packs them up and heads to Stillwater where he knows he can get a job baking at the local café.

 

Constantine's arrival is a bit serendipitous, as Julius's previous barista nearly burnt down his kitchen before quitting. The pair have an instant connection and work together well, and as things heat up as he and Julius grow closer.

I really liked Constantine and Julius, but felt like their chemistry was a bit lacking for me. Would have liked to seen more of that grown in the story, but otherwise really enjoyed it. 

<b>Summer Fling by Aries France</b>

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An anonymous hookup with an older hottie turns not so anonymous when Jasper walks into his first day of his law internship and learns that the very man he blew the night before just so happens to be who he’ll be working alongside all summer. 

Marshall Caffrey is THE export when it comes to AIDS and HIV advocacy and Jasper is willing to do anything to keep this internship, but it’s nearly impossible to stay professional as the chemistry between him and Marshall grows. 

This was so freaking good!!! I wasn’t expecting to love this as much as I did, but this was perfect and even though it was short Marshall and Jasper’s story felt complete and I really felt their connection. 

<b>The Kiss by Courtney W. Dixon</b>

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As if being cheated on by his ex wasn’t enough, Austin learns he’s HIV+. Wanting to drown his sorrows and forget everything, he heads to a local gay bar where he meets Dallas. The two share the hottest, most unforgettable kiss, but Austin bolts before anything can happen. 

Two years later reconnect after Dallas moves into the same building Austin lives in, and the chemistry between them is still palpable. Austin is terrified of their connection, but Dallas is more than patient. 

The Kiss was such a beautiful story of learning to live with HIV, all the fear and heartache that comes with it, and learning to trust yourself and your partner. 

 Really cozy and adorable! 

A single dad stuck in the middle a snow storm and the cowboy who has spent the majority of his life hating him for what he did in high school, of course I ate this up! 

- cowboy 
- single dad 
- snowed in 
- forced proximity 
- hurt x comfort, sorta 
- second chance, ish 

**review based on the following stories**

Tropes: snowed in, only one bed, mutual pining (sort of)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Barista Rory has had a crush on local plumber, Owen, for months. When he arrives home from a shift to find his kitchen flooded, the only person who can help him is the very man who flusters and turns him into a bumbling fool.

When Owen arrives at Rory's apartment to fix his pipes, the last thing he expects is to get snowed in on Christmas Eve with the adorably shy barista—but after months of these two tiptoeing around each other, fate has other plans. 

Gah this was too cute! I loved how Rory turned into an absolute mess every time he was around Owen, because honestly same 🤣 Their story was equal amounts sweet and steamy and I loved every minute of it!

Tropes: snowed in, brother’s best friend, jock x nerd, insta-love (ish)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As if being forced to ride home with his brother’s annoying best friend, Hunter, for winter break wasn’t bad enough, a blizzard has them taking shelter at Hunter’s family cabin in the middle of nowhere. 

As Simon spends more time with Hunter, he realizes that maybe Hunter isn’t so bad, and when learns how Hunter really feels about him, sparks fly. 

This was steamy and to the point. Would have liked a bit more from Simon, as Hunter seemed way more into him than he was into Hunter, and he did a completely 180 in no time, but 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tropes: snowed in, only one bed, virgin, opposites attract 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Caught in a snow storm on the way to their friend’s wedding, Wren and Christian are forced to ride out the dorm in a run down motel room with only one bed. 

Not Christian’s biggest fan, Wren isn’t happy about the predicament they’re in, but one thing leads to another. 

Honestly, this was just whatever. 

- poly
- omegaverse
- older sister's best friend

Spencer has been in love with his older sister's best friend Ivy since he was a kid, and always hoped they would one day be together. But when Ivy emerges as an alpha and finds her pack before Spencer even knows his designation, he's devastated. Everything he ever wanted is no longer an option, and he spirals into a deep depression.

When it's finally his time to head to Calling Wood to find a pack, Spencer is less than enthused. Still heartbroken and pining after Ivy, Spencer does everything he can to avoid her and her pack, but everything changes when Spencer smells Ivy and realizes that they're fated to be together after all...

Poor sweet Spencer. He struggled so hard with his designation and was utterly heartbroken when he thought he would never get to be with Ivy after she had already found her pack, but fate had other plans. I just wanted to give him all the love and hugs!

Outside of Spencer, I absolutely adored Everlee's character, she was just so sassy and adorable, and such a sneak when it came to getting the whole pack together. Plus she was always so wonderful with Spencer and his panic attacks, and I really loved their friendship and a dynamic as a whole.

I will say that I wish Ivy, Calix and Carter had more of a personality. Their Alpha characters honestly just blurred together for me. Also the drama with the spurned Alpha pack was a little OTT, but whatever lol