stephreviewsbooks's reviews
760 reviews

This story shows that sometimes love can be simple with little angst and drama. Walker asks Dutton to give the small town Kansas six months, enough time to see all of the seasons and soak up the friendly small town vibe. It isn't just the seasons he falls in love with. Walker is vibrant and easy to like and he and Dutton have instant attraction. Life and love doesn't have to be complicated, sometimes you are lucky to avoid stress and drama and if you fall in love along the way you've made it. A sweet story, that has you smiling along the way. So good to catch up with Oakley and friends too, I've missed them. 
 I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The most broken of all the brothers, Mitchell needs handling very carefully. He is absolutely worth the gold it will take to turn him into a beautiful kintsugi treasure. He won't believe you, he hates himself more than anyone else possibly can. Gideon starts out with an agenda, but can't help his feelings for Mitch, and how it completely changes his path. 
 Internalised homophobia has been deep rooted in Mitch, he cannot help hinself with using men to gain his pleasure, but he cannot even whisper the words that he is gay. He can't be gay, he was never allowed to be gay. He took his frustration out on his brothers, he lost hem as a consequence. He is so lonely and empty. His light starts to shine with the help of a stray cat that could see that Mitch had a soft centre inside and soon carved a cat shape into his life. It was a final farewell to all the guys that make up the series, all amazing in their own right. Mitch will possibly always have a special place, just because of how far he had to dig to break free. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This series is really special, each book conjures up a niche feeling from the start. Not sure why I feel this but immediately I love the characters. Madden is so original, so at ease with himself and feels so liberated when nude. He is free as a bird, except his heart. His heart is caged and the key is locked away only for Penn to open. He has loved Penn since forever, but Penn is straight. Madden is preparing for his heart to be broken by being the bestest friend and finding Penn a girlfriend. I loved Lana's character, she played such a good role in helping Penn sort himself out. You would think once they discovered that they were into one another it would be plain sailing but there are issues that need ironing out. Sometimes truths are painful to hear but these two have trust and love and know the only way that they will both be completely happy is to be honest. Penn is such an overthinker, and this isn't healthy for him. As long as Penn and Madden keep talking and air their worries, nothing can stop them. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Definitely the start of a new series, we have to learn the characters and it takes a while to get the full narrative. This story is centred around two apparently straight guys. Although, there was a slight feeling that Dean hadn't had the luxury to think about his personal life, so maybe his feelings for a man just hadn't had the opportunity to surface. Having spent his whole life surviving and striving to be the best, possibly kept him from have realised sooner. 
 A double bi-awakening which takes time to evolve. This story reminds you that these men are still young underneath their manly bodies and life decisions are big deals. Brody, especially, has decisions to make whether to stay in hockey or take his studies further. Not an easy decision when everyone assumes playing hockey for the NHL should be his only goal. These characters dominate the story, like in a bubble as they figure things out. As a dual bi-awakening the steam is low. We are given clues about possible romances in this series. I am looking forward to Coach B's story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
 

Sometimes being in love is like a trap. You can't escape it. Adrian is trapped in 2 worlds. The one that keeps his family and security and the one he really wants. These two may have a torn past but they clearly never got close to closure. Big feelings from being first loves, finding out that you still want them, realising you never escaped them. 
 Torture for Matias to see Adrian again, married to a woman, knowing he chose that life in exchange for him. He has channeled his hurt and leads an exclusive lifestyle. Always in control, never catching feelings and sleeps alone. But having Adrian suddenly start a job where he works, is enough for them both to lose control.
 This is more complex than a book about an affair. The power of manipulation and emotional blackmail runs throughout this book. When power exchanges have been evident since childhood, its grip is so tight. When Aiden is with Matias, he can breath, he can feel and he is free. There is never any doubt these two men remained in love, just tragic that they were robbed of a seamless relationship. They didn't get their happy ending without a lot of heartbreak and headaches. The stolen moments were tainted of being pure and deserved. A book where only age and fear stood in the way of the greatest love story. How these two men were destined to be together because love is the strongest emotion, if you allow it to take the lead. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
  

A story of trust. Two men both with experience of broken hearts find one another and they turn out to more compatible than they hoped. There is a kink dynamic in this story. However, when you have lost faith and trust before, it is harder for your heart to forget. You see things you want to see, and rationality goes out the window. There is hurting and more talking to get back on track. Never have I disliked a side character as much as Caleb. Seeing things from Luca's perspective made you feel so sad for him, even though he acted out when Caleb met Daniel. There is a lot of arguing, which I often find difficult, but this is what they needed to air it all out in the open. They have a lot to work through, but they now both know how each other really feels which gives them some inner peace. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
 

This story is going to hurt, there is inevitably going to be an eruption from all the emotion and build up. It's a morally-grey book and you can feel there isn't any outcome that someone won't get hurt but hearts take over head and consequences be dammed. Hunter is younger, but has a dominating role and sees how Oliver responds when he's told what to do and praised when he does well. Despite living his life around orders, he reacts to Hunter. Lots of edging, that spans hours, with rules for Oliver to follow if he wants to earn permission to come. It's like reading the honeymoon period, knowing that there is a ticking clock, a month is never going to be long enough, but nothing can and ever will be the same. Hunter is the one who risks losing everything and that shows how much he loves Oliver, enough risking everything for. Oliver may lose his parents, once secrets are revealed, but they lost him themselves. I have to give credit to Amanda. What a dignified, outstanding woman. She lost two men she loved and the pain must have been incredible. She showed the world why, if you love them, you should let them go. The epilogue was most welcome to show us that the equilibrium had returned and how time is a healer. This isn't a book about being unfaithful, it is of a much higher standing. It is about oneself, by not being able to be free to be yourself, you risk bringing others down too. This book will no doubt have very divided reviews, and rightly so. It pushes boundaries and loyalty and it will very much depend on the readers own personal journey. For me, I see love; how can you want a woman to be used as a convenience, the pain they all went through gave each one of them freedom. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

This story has the familiarity of the Puckboys series, it feels like a group of friends. Best friend's brother always adds an exciting element, not sure how the reaction will be. Knox needed to stop worrying so much and put himself first for a change. His willpower was stretched to the max before Easton finally got his kiss. That is the catalyst that they both needed to realise that their feelings are more than deep for each other.  They just need to figure out a few other obstacles before they can relax and enjoy themselves. There is definitely an interesting vibe with Connor and the new team owner, looking forward to continuing this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh, Isaac, I loved him in The Collector and now he gets his own story.  He is such a fun loving man, you would never know that he has a past that still haunts him. The way he takes care of Jared, but doesn't tell him, is so special. Jared knows he has feelings for Isaac, despite driving him crazy with all of his practical jokes, but when he wakes to find Isaac in his bed, things start to heat up between them. He is a natural protector, he has been looking out for Isaac for a long time and as they get closer, Jared gets growlier. There is another tense situation involving the guys at La Maison's which leads them to danger. It adds a greater narrative to the story. Once the danger has past, they are back to their two favourite things, sexy scenes or joking around. A great continuation to the series, I can't wait to hear Matteo's story, I have a feeling it is going to be dangerously hot.

Initially this story starts with Everett being grumpy, despite often finding himself standing inside a gay club, he seems angry about it. His whole persona intrigues Romeo. Romeo isn't sure why he comes to the club if he is as straight as he claims. The attraction starts off quicker than I thought and it becomes clear just how much weight he carries. It doesn't take much for Roman to see Everett isn't grumpy, he reveals a scared man, with a lot to lose if he reveals his true self. The story becomes focused on the club and the threat to close it for redevelopment. Of course it was going to be complicated with Everett being indirectly involved. He has to make a big decision which will ultimately end his family ties. He has been brought up with religion at the forefront, along with parents who are terrified of not conforming, they couldn't possibly have a gay son. There is a question of a trust fund, if only he can turn 25 before his family comes tumbling down. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.