Hot Doggin'
By Raquel Riley 
5⭐️
I received an E-book ARC edition of this novel in exchange for an honest review. It will be available Feb 20th on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amzn.com/B0DJZMST2F 
Signed copies and other merch can be found on Raquel’s website: Raquelriley.com/shop/ols/products/xn—hot-doggin-signed-copy-645m

--…we’re not just warriors-we’re healers, knitting together the loose ends of our lives.—

This fast-paced 224-page  bi-awakening,  Friends-to-Lovers  MM Romance, will have you laughing out loud from page one, while also showing that even though physical and mental scars are always present, they can also show a persons strength. Written in an alternating chapter duel POV , this novel picks up after the SCARS & STRIPES Series. I recommend you read those 3 books first as they do set the foundation for all the characters. You won’t regret it!

--Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? WTF?—

I am very tempted to just throw random quotes at you, out of order from the book, let you spin thru them and call it a f*cking day and let that be my review. I have so many highlights and notes; Raquel really outdid herself. It keeps with the theme of the OG series of a group of guys after they leave the Military (almost all), but this sequel series follows the guys that are already established within the group. This edition was far more humorous and less devastating than the prior 3 books, though there are some dark moments (PLEASE SEE TRIGGER WARNINGS). 

--I’m done destroying things. It solves nothing and only destroys the destroyer.—

Raquel writes in a way that even if you didn’t read the previous installments or if you have the memory of a golden fish (raises hand), you won’t miss a detail as she gives you what’s important to each character whether MCs or Ensemble. 

--…I don’t have to be the best version of myself, but he makes me want to anyway because if I don’t have my sh!t together, I can’t help him be better.—

Stiles and McCormack (Mac) are stuck at the hip, trauma besties that lean on each other in every aspect.  Stiles supports Mac with his amputee, the struggles of his flashbacks, and his unfortunate touched-starved dating life. Mac helps Stiles with his short-term memory loss, which is an emotional struggle for both of them. After 4 years of friendship and Bitches With Stitches group sessions at BALLS, they know almost everything about each other. ALMOST… 

--“Ride or Die.” That was our pact. We ride together, we die together, and generally annoy the f*ck out of each other on the days in between.—

After Stiles has to moved out of his apt temporarily, Mac takes him to his place. Instigated forced proximity and OMG, only one bed with WHATEVER vibes, they figure out their very close friendship could be more. Their trajectory takes them thru phases from joking, messing around and denial, to admitting to themselves their feelings are more than they were expecting. Along the way, antics ensue from haircuts (Glinda Hair Toss Toss), food tours (2nd Breakfasts LOTRs Style), and of course A LOT of hot dogs, in and out of the bedroom. Their chemistry is as crazy as their individual personalities but the way that they care for each other in life whether they are in a good headspace or in a fetal position on the floor shows that no matter how many knots are in their knitting yarn, they always help each other get untangled. 

--cockblocked by a b!tch. Go figure.—

The spice was a journey!!!  4/5🌶!  The tension they exude is as THICK as … well, you’ll find out. There were a lot of surprises I was not expecting at all, especially one of the early scenes!!! Raquel didn’t lose their banter and I found myself laughing or gagged even during these fun moments. 

--I’ve said it before… This circle, these men, are healers. They may not look like it, but they can reach inside you, and find the very thing that hurts the most, and beat it into submission. They can hold your hand while you cry about it. And they can help you dry your tears and remind you that you’re loved.—

The Backstreet Boys have nothing on this group of guys! The ensemble is as chaotic as ever if not more, from Nash obsessing over the health of his plant, to Mandy needing panty hose that no one wants to know why and making Arts n Craft glitter bombs. Throw in some good ribbing, innuendos, and dark humor to fight their traumatizing pasts. The next two books were heavily teased with character development and details. And at the end of this novel, the titles are revealed! 

--I love BALLS. I eat, sleep, and breathe BALLS.—

I really love this BALLS to the wall world Raquel has created with as much realistic detail as possible about military trauma. She not only knows how to break a readers heart but she knits it back together before the end. The emotions conveyed feel real. That’s hard to do when writing about men showing weakness and getting it right. I have a feeling the next book is gonna up the anty and I can’t wait! 

💜Happy Reading 🫶