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vicki_williams's reviews
2706 reviews
Tis the Season for Tentacles by Chloe Archer
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a bit of a follow on from last year’s Christmas book and it’s wonderful revisiting the crew of the Sleigh Belle who return for another intergalactic adventure. This time it’s Najar in the hot seat as Felix, the far from unwitting human, is accidentally, sort of abducted by the this wonderful group of aliens.
The first thing Felix notices is the stupendous amounts of Christmas decorations within the ship and then the extremely hot tentacled alien called Najar. The attraction is mutual but it doesn’t come easily for Najar to overcome his concerns regarding the circumstances of Felix being on their space craft. He’s really a bit of a stick in the mud but slowly lightens up as he and Felix get to know each other better. Once they give into the chemistry sizzling between them (and the hilarious location it takes place in) the heat certainly rises! It’s not all smooth sailing for these two very likeable characters but they do get a longed for HEA that left me with a huge smile on my face.
I loved watching Najar lower his ingrained barriers and start to show his true self. The mix of sweet and steam is well balanced, the world building is exemplary, there’s plenty of laugh out loud moments, the chapter introductions are a story on their own and once again Rambo the droid cracked me up! If you love all things Chloe Archer then this is another fantastic addition to her catalogue.
Frost Impressions by Kelly Fox
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I loved everything about this wonderful Holiday romance. Gray is very much a prickly grump who also happens to be a giant softy. Sunny is such a bright person who lights up everyone around him. Circumstances have these two very different but likeable men living within each others orbit. It’s not long before they truly get to know and understand each other, vulnerabilities and all. Gray is determined to do whatever is takes to make Sunny enjoy Christmas again (even thought Gray is a grinch).
There’s plenty of steam balanced with sweet in this very engaging and enjoyable read. I loved all the small town characters whose antics had me laughing out loud along with the “pun-tastic” Christmas Falls names.
This low angst Holiday romance really just hits the spot!
Pure Country: A Central Texas MM Romance by Kelly Fox
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Loved it 🥰
Cowboy Rowdy plays up his love em and leave em persona so well that his friends are convinced that he’s truly that and not much more. Rowdy and Kess, a city lawyer who now lives next door to Rowdy, have known each other for a couple of years. Well, Kess knows the Rowdy that he lets them see, not the real man he is. Circumstances soon have Kess questioning who the real Rowdy is.
This is a truly beautiful story of two wonderful men from differing backgrounds that finally work their way to a very much longed for HEA. There’s no major dramas to negotiate as Rowdy slowly but surely shows Kess the true man behind the facade.
I was invested in these two very likeable main characters from start to finish and the secondary characters kept things very interesting. There’s steamy moments that are perfectly balanced with sweet and tenderness, laugh out loud texting, banter, sass and a very satisfying ending that left me smiling and wanting more from the Texas Hill Country residents.
Protecting Mr. Fine by Lucy Lennox
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Loved it 🥰
Zane is such a pure person who just wants to help people because he can. Ryan is a bit of a grumpy bear who developed an instant attraction to Zane at their very first meeting. Just so happens Zane felt the same towards Ryan. The strong friendship and trust between these two wonderful men develops into something more and the chemistry between them sizzles. Their relationship has a rock solid foundation and nothing can break it, even the threats made to Zane by a villain that kept me guessing well into the story.
Decisions regarding professional roles needed to be reevaluated but there’s nothing that can stop Zane and Ryan from getting the HEA they so desperately want.
I loved every moment of this very enjoyable and engaging read. The balance between romance and intrigue is done so well, the cast of main and secondary characters keep things interesting, there’s sweet and steam and everything is wound together perfectly due to the story telling ability of this very dependable author. I was left with a warm and happy heart and a big cheesy smile as I read the final pages. I’m looking forward to Landry and Kenji having their story told next.
Symphony of Salvation by Nicky James
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Brilliant!
In this case I firmly believe that Nicky James is the Maestro. Her ability to weave words together creates a vivid vibrant picture and for this beautiful romance, the picture comes even more alive with the use of music. Whether it be written musical notes, performed musical notes or random musical notes hummed quietly under one’s breath.
Niles and August are superb, imperfect, flawed and strongly developed characters with plenty of baggage who find themselves bouncing around each other in the music rooms of a private high school. Their story is not an easy one with plenty of uncertainties and doubts both from internal and external factors and the angst that this author is well known for. Niles and August had to overcome a fair few hurdles before they got their well deserved and hard earned HEA. It was a bit of a rollercoaster that gave me plenty of feel’s throughout leaving me relieved, happy and super smiley at the end.
“Symphony of Salvation is the story of growth and self acceptance. It’s a depiction of a love I never knew could exist.” - August
Deck the Palms by Annabeth Albert
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this opposites attract romance with two mature aged men. Merry is a bit of a grump, or as Nolan calls it “cute cranky”, whereas Nolan is a cheerful extrovert who loves and breathes Broadway. Circumstances have him heading to Hawaii to help out his sister in law. He lands a teaching job at a middle school where Merry also teaches. It’s not a successful first meeting but Merry just can’t maintain his dislike towards Nolan for too long. They both share the connection between them and the chemistry is undeniable. There’s a bit of a bump on the way to their HEA but nothing can derail these two wonderful men from getting what they most desire.
This is a very enjoyable and engaging low angst romance with a perfect mix of sweet and spice, a great cast of main and secondary characters that kept me fully invested from start to finish and left me with not only a huge smile on face at the end but also a heightened desire to travel to Oahu.
THE MAP HOME (Author) Part of: by Elle Keaton
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Dakota and Tad have known each other since they were teens when circumstances led to Dakota living with Tad’s family. Dakota’s background is not a very stable one so he’s a little bit grumpy and has huge trust issues. He really doesn’t thinks he’s good enough for Tad but Tad certainly believes otherwise. Whilst these two wonderful men are finally getting their act together there’s a bit of small town intrigue to add some interest to this very enjoyable and heartwarming read. There’s the usual small town characters, a holiday romance with a bit of steam and a longed for HEA. This book had me settled in for the afternoon and left me smiling at the end.
Ice & Sweet by Charlie Novak
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Enough steam to melt snow!❄️
I really enjoyable this lovely low angst Christmas romance. Luke and Andre knew each other and crushed on each other in the past. When circumstances have them snowed in at a mutual friend’s wedding, these two wonderful men get the opportunity to act on those long held desires. Be prepared for enough steam to melt snow! There is more to their relationship as they work together to carry on the attraction and chemistry between them past the wedding weekend. With no angst, plenty of steam, lots of gorging on cheese over Christmas and a longed for HEA, this makes for a very enjoyable read that had me smiling from start to finish and wanting to indulge in all things cake!
The Christmas Switch by Briar Prescott
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Loved this original Christmas romance.
I love the story telling ability of this author and once again Briar Prescott took me on a very enjoyable ride from start to finish with this unique enemies to lovers Christmas romance.
Josh and Gabriel are two very likeable characters who find themselves in a body switch situation due to a Christmas lights mishap. After their initial bewildering and incredulous reactions they realise they need to work together to find a solution to the situation. Along the way the competitive nature of both men slowly recedes to the background as they learn each other’s true nature and pesky “feelings” are thrown into the mix. The slow burn nature of the relationship only turns steamy at the end of the book when Josh and Gabriel get their HEA but it’s well worth the wait.
I loved every moment of this very enjoyable read and was fully invested from start to finish and closed my Kindle with a huge smile on my face at the end.
Saving Mr. Bell by H.L Day
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
After a brief encounter 6 years earlier circumstances have Arlo jumping into action to help Rudolf through the fallout of a bad performance. By help I mean Arlo “borrowing” Rudolph and taking him to a secluded cabin to stop him spiralling further. As there is only one bed and a blizzard to keep them snowed in for days, it’s not long before the sweet and acerbic Rudolph doesn’t really mind the situation he has found himself in as the chemistry intensifies between him and Arlo. Leading to some steamy moments balanced with some sweet tender times. The real world soon intrudes before too long but once Rudolph gets some work related issues sorted he’s soon back in the cabin with Arlo moving towards their HEA.
This is a wonderful Christmas story filled with all the trope goodness and two wonderfully likeable main characters who banter with and snark at each other. It felt like I never stopped smiling whilst I was reading this throughly enjoyable and entertaining book. Highly recommended!