**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.