A review by ladymacbeth2024
Heart2Heart Anthology, Volume 7 by Annabeth Albert, Annabeth Albert, Avril Ashton, Jocelynn Drake

5.0

My review doesn't refer to the whole book

Skating After You by Hayden Hall - 5 stars
This novella is set on the Arctic Titans Of Northwood U universe.
Phoenix is Asher's roommate and teammate, and he's a very nice guy: Jaxon is also a student in Northwood U, he used to be a figure skater, but he lost the passion for that so now he's dedicated to ice ballett, less competitive but still very beautiful and fulfilling.
Phoenix and Jaxon have the sweetest meet cute on the escalator at the mall, when Phoenix takes the escalator the wrong way because he's late for a game. He stops when he sees Jaxon and starts talking to him but he needs to get to the game so they don't have the time to exchange more that a few words.
Two days later they're still thinking about each other and unexpectedly they are matched by Cupid app.
This story was very romantic and I loved it: Phoenix little by little ... every wall Jaxon built around him, he's surprisingly sweet, attentive, he says all the right words, he gave him the cutest gift and Jaxon is so enthralled by him that, after skating and dancing on the ice together, he decides to take a chance and they go back to Jaxon's room where they have the most tender, hot, intense sex. Their connection is almost magical.
The story ends with a HFN and I hope the author will let us know more about them in the next books of the series.
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

Mixed Signals by E.M. Lindsey - 5 stars
Story set in the The Beginning of Always world.
Phoenix, a lovely 27 years old autistic guy, is pushed by his brother Piper to sign up on the Cupid app to find a date.
He goes to said date and discovers that the guy is a jerk and a liar who's only interested in hooking up.
Next to Phoenix table there is Maddox, a vet student about to graduate who lost the use of a leg because of an accident. Maddox's date stood him up just in time for Madds to help Nix getting rid of his own bad date.
They spent the night together chatting and getting to know each other an when they arrive at Nix' place, they're already completely enthralled.
For the first time Nix feels safe with someone who's not his big brother: he and Madds have a lot in common and Maddox doesn't mind that Phoenix is on the spectrum.
I really loved that he felt a protective instinct towards Phoenix since the first time he laid eyes on him.
I hope we'll see both of them in the next book of the series, Sugar.

Mixed Motives by Leslie McAdam - 3 stars
This was a nice age gap story with a forbidden element, since Henry, 22 years old, starts a relationship with Keane, 42 years old, who's his ex boyfriend Kerrigan's father.
Keane is an accomplished businessman, while Henry is struggling a little in managing a B&B he suddenly inherited from his aunt.
Their relationship is well blanced and they are good together.
I just think everything is resolved too easily, especially with Kerrigan.
I loved Noah and August's (from Oblivious, IOU book 3) little appearance.

August's Thief by Fearne Hill - 4 stars
4 star
This was so cute and sweet!
August and Dawson are so perfect together and they love each other very much. August knows that he doesn't have to worry about his scarred face, his lack of experience or his solitary life, because Dawson loves him exactly how he is. And Dawson doesn't have to worry about his brother because August loves them both fiercely.
They found a family in each other and their happy ending is so sweet.
I would have loved to read more about them.
I received an ARC of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.