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317 reviews
The Fireman and the Flirt by A.J. Truman
4.5
The Fireman and The Flirt
Single Dads Club Book 4
Audiobook narrated by Nick J Russo
In this book we meet a new member of the Single Dads club, Cal's brother Derek who after 20+ years moves back to Sourwood after the passing of his wife.
Derek and his daughter are staying with Cal and Russ, but soon enough the need for a home of their own rises. Que Cary, an ice coffee loving realtor and also Cal's best friend. What Derek doesn't know is that Cary had the biggest Crush on him in high school. This will invoke many funny moments between the two. Especially the quest for THE LETTER and its content.
Cary and Derek embark on the quest to find the perfect house and along the way the budding friendship blurs into an situationship. But Cary’s baggage from high school makes the journey to an HEA harder. Derek has a fight on his hands to get Cary to see that love is worth believing in.
This book had me laughing out loud more than once and chapter 16 had me stressed (IYKYK).
I paced my kitchen like crazy and yelled No No oh God No! That whole scene will live rent free in my mind forever. And it also shows the best laid plans can go to h*ll.
As always I enjoyed Nick J Russo’s narration together with A.J.'s writing, these two together will become my comfort reads/listens.
I have enjoyed the Single Dads Club series so much and I can’t wait to start the South Rock High series and find out what Amos and his friends are up to.
The Barkeep and The Bro by A.J. Truman
5.0
The Barkeep and the Bro
Single Dads Club Book 3
Audiobook narrated by Nick J Russo
We finally get Mitch’s HEA and what a way we got it.
I am all for Age Gap romances with a sprinkle of grumpy/sunshine.
Mitch is the owner and manager of the bar, Stone’s Throw Tavern and for the last twenty-five years, they have been in an “exclusive, all-consuming relationship”. He and his high school girlfriend got pregnant before school ended, so he had to put his hockey plans on ice and start working for his family at Stone’s Throw to be able to support his little family.
Twenty five-ish years later, he is divorced, has come out as gay and has seen his little girl grow up to become a bright young woman and the only thing still constant in his life is the bar. He doesn't have time for romance, especially when his latest hire just up and quit after winning it big. This is when Mitch gets reintroduced to Charlie, his daughter's ex-boyfriend from college.
Charlie is living the high life in New York as an investor. But after an investment going south,he finds himself out of a job, dumped and no place to live. So when he gets the chance to rent a room from his old friend Amos, who lives in Sourwood, he jumps at the opportunity. This will be his fresh start to life. Charlie is sunshine personified and he has always been great with handling people, so when Amos tells him about a bartending job he sees his chance to start over. The fact that it is Mitch’s bar doesn't deter him but maybe it should.
When these two meet again sparks fly. Mitch stills sees the frat boy that broke his baby’s heart but he also realizes that there is more to Charlie than first expected. And when the sparks turn to lust all bets are off.
This book is hilarious and oh so cute and it’s also spicy. There is a use of a Zucchini that is just pure filth. And that bathroom scene chef’s kiss.
I don’t know what it is, but this book just hit all the right spots for me. It was exactly what I needed at the time of me listening to it!
Single Dads Club Book 3
Audiobook narrated by Nick J Russo
We finally get Mitch’s HEA and what a way we got it.
I am all for Age Gap romances with a sprinkle of grumpy/sunshine.
Mitch is the owner and manager of the bar, Stone’s Throw Tavern and for the last twenty-five years, they have been in an “exclusive, all-consuming relationship”. He and his high school girlfriend got pregnant before school ended, so he had to put his hockey plans on ice and start working for his family at Stone’s Throw to be able to support his little family.
Twenty five-ish years later, he is divorced, has come out as gay and has seen his little girl grow up to become a bright young woman and the only thing still constant in his life is the bar. He doesn't have time for romance, especially when his latest hire just up and quit after winning it big. This is when Mitch gets reintroduced to Charlie, his daughter's ex-boyfriend from college.
Charlie is living the high life in New York as an investor. But after an investment going south,he finds himself out of a job, dumped and no place to live. So when he gets the chance to rent a room from his old friend Amos, who lives in Sourwood, he jumps at the opportunity. This will be his fresh start to life. Charlie is sunshine personified and he has always been great with handling people, so when Amos tells him about a bartending job he sees his chance to start over. The fact that it is Mitch’s bar doesn't deter him but maybe it should.
When these two meet again sparks fly. Mitch stills sees the frat boy that broke his baby’s heart but he also realizes that there is more to Charlie than first expected. And when the sparks turn to lust all bets are off.
This book is hilarious and oh so cute and it’s also spicy. There is a use of a Zucchini that is just pure filth. And that bathroom scene chef’s kiss.
I don’t know what it is, but this book just hit all the right spots for me. It was exactly what I needed at the time of me listening to it!
Humility by Lark Taylor
4.5
I have been patiently waiting to find out how Danny and Riley's become a couple and I wasn't disappointed.
We start off with a bang (pun intended) and then we have a five year time jump. In this book the time jump makes so much sense. Throughout the book we get tidbits on how their friendship grew and evolved to the place they are today. Without that I think what happens next wouldn't work. We needed the stability and knowledge that these two are thick as thieves and really know each other.
We meet two people who are against entering a relationship for various reasons but when life happens Danny has to make that big decision that will change everything. Riley is so hesitant and scared to trust Danny in this regard even if they are the bestest of friends. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to spoil the book.
What I can say is that it is funny, spicy and somewhat angsty. I was stressed during certain parts of the book, my heart was racing. And I am usually a pretty calm reader.
We may have come to an end in the xxxx series but I have a feeling this is not the last we will see of these guys. I am also happy that Finn is getting a book. I hope that Calan and Logan also get books written about them. Because I need to know more.
The Mayor and the Mystery Man by A.J. Truman
4.25
The Mayor and the Mystery Man
Single Dads Club Book 2
Audiobook narrated by Nick J Russo
This is a friends to lovers story mixed with fake dating and some fun times in the woods.
Leo is the Mayor of Sourwood, where the Single Dads club resides, and he is up for reelection. When his mayoral campaign is hit with a small scandal, involving an dating app called Milkman and some spicy pics. His campaign manager comes up with the brilliant idea to find him a fake boyfriend, just to show the people of Sourwood that he has left his Milkman days behind. Que his best friend Dusty.
Dusty lives on the other side of the country in LA and works as a carpenter for TV sets. He is dating the star of the show, but after a nasty breakup and getting fired and losing his home. He decides “why not” help Leo out with the whole fake relationship thing and at the same time try to figure out what he wants out of life.
What neither expected was how easy they would settle into a “relationship” and how smooth the family life together with Leo’s two kids would be.
This book is funny and sweet. It’s a perfect slice of sunshine and spice mixed with some low angst. I thoroughly enjoy A.J. Trumans writing mixed with Nick J Russo’s narration.
Temperance by Lark Taylor
4.5
Temperance by Lark Taylor
Damned Connections Book 3
This is the third book of the Damned Connections series and this book's story starts before the beginning of Patience. We follow Toby, a vampire and Blaise, a fire mage and their story towards love.
We have had many interactions between Toby and Blaise, in both Patience and Justice, that in this book gets explained.
Blaise is hurting and hating himself after some bad choices left a human dying on a classroom floor. And even if said human and all of his friends tell him that it’s okay to move on, he can’t seem to do it. He doesn't believe he deserves anything good in his life. He just wants to find peace and can Toby be the one giving it to him?
Toby is a caretaker and a dom, but after a couple of relationships implode, he is now guarding his heart. But when he sees Blaise struggle, he can’t help himself and offers Blaise a contract to be his sub. The contract is strict, with an end date set. But will they manage to abide by the rules set or will their hearts overrule the mind and give them love and peace?
I liked the dynamic between Toby and Blaise. Where Toby, as the caretaker, does everything in his power to guide Blaise and show him that he is cherished and loveable. It is also a book that will take you through all the emotions. I cried, laughed, swooned, felt enormous joy but also so much pain.
This book was so good and it tackled some heavier subjects like; depression, anxiety attacks and PTSD. I haven't read many PNR books where this is the main plot point of the book and that in itself is refreshing. Mind you I haven’t read many PNR books, so I may have missed out.
Also I caution you to read the author's note and warnings before reading this book if the above mentioned subject is something that can be triggering for you.
Justice by Lark Taylor
4.5
Justice by Lark Taylor
Damned Connections book 2
I will start off by saying the angst omg the angst! This book hits you in all the feels.
Sebastian's backstory is so tragic. I sniffled when reading it, but it also explains so much about why he is who he is. He is fighting with himself not to feel anything but meeting Matty changes something in his core. Slowly but surely he steps into the light just to be jenked back again.
Matty is sunshine personified but his past has dimmed his shine and made him vary to people in regards to romance and trying to find the one. Meeting Sebastian makes Matty tentatively believe he could fall in love again and not feel pain. But not everything is as easy as it seems.
Something happens that breaks the two of them. And Matty and Sebastian have to fight for love, forgiveness and their HEA. It won't be easy but in the end it will be worth it.
My redemption arc lover couldn't resist this story and the fact I have always loved morally grey characters is just icing on the cake. The emotions, the heartbreak, the love and the understanding elevates this story. Not to say that the smüt isn't sizzling but in the case of this book the journey to love and acceptance is what made me devourer this book.
Damned Connections book 2
I will start off by saying the angst omg the angst! This book hits you in all the feels.
Sebastian's backstory is so tragic. I sniffled when reading it, but it also explains so much about why he is who he is. He is fighting with himself not to feel anything but meeting Matty changes something in his core. Slowly but surely he steps into the light just to be jenked back again.
Matty is sunshine personified but his past has dimmed his shine and made him vary to people in regards to romance and trying to find the one. Meeting Sebastian makes Matty tentatively believe he could fall in love again and not feel pain. But not everything is as easy as it seems.
Something happens that breaks the two of them. And Matty and Sebastian have to fight for love, forgiveness and their HEA. It won't be easy but in the end it will be worth it.
My redemption arc lover couldn't resist this story and the fact I have always loved morally grey characters is just icing on the cake. The emotions, the heartbreak, the love and the understanding elevates this story. Not to say that the smüt isn't sizzling but in the case of this book the journey to love and acceptance is what made me devourer this book.
Patience by Lark Taylor
4.5
Patience by Lark Taylor
Damned Connections Book 1
These days I usually do not go for PNR but this book has changed that completely. I want to read them all. Like I will break my book buying ban for this series. And yes I caved and bought the next 3 books.
I don't know what it is that has made me so hooked. Maybe it is the fact that it dabbles with our perception of heaven and hell and the fact that not everything is black and white. I love the mix of “supernatural” and “human” characters and the fact that they just seem to mesh organically.
In this book we meet Ferry, who at the beginning of this book is an Angel and Leo who is human. They are fated mates and try their best to live a happy life whenever Ferry is on earth. But when a fight between the angels leaves Leo fatally injured, Ferry is faced with the hard decision to save Leo's life and maybe never see his mate again or let them both die, he decides to give them a small chance of meeting again. Ferry is banished to hell and becomes the Grim Reaper and Leo gets to live and reincarnate over and over again.
When they after 4000 years finally get the chance to meet again, Ferry has a new problem; Leo doesn't remember him and he is straight. And now the real fight for love begins.
This book just tugged on my heart strings but it also made me laugh so hard I couldn't breath. I absolutely loved all of the side characters and I know I will read their stories in due time. This book is more about the connection between the characters than the spice. This is not saying that there aren’t any hotter than hell scenes between the two of them.
The Damned Connections series are a spin off of The Reckless Damned series, but you can read these books without having read the previous ones. There is an overarching plot though so if you want to be totally updated reading them in order is advised. But as you can see I am not reading them in order and that is okay because the author gives us just enough backstory that I didn’t feel lost and we are given HEA and no cliffhangers in every book read.
Damned Connections Book 1
These days I usually do not go for PNR but this book has changed that completely. I want to read them all. Like I will break my book buying ban for this series. And yes I caved and bought the next 3 books.
I don't know what it is that has made me so hooked. Maybe it is the fact that it dabbles with our perception of heaven and hell and the fact that not everything is black and white. I love the mix of “supernatural” and “human” characters and the fact that they just seem to mesh organically.
In this book we meet Ferry, who at the beginning of this book is an Angel and Leo who is human. They are fated mates and try their best to live a happy life whenever Ferry is on earth. But when a fight between the angels leaves Leo fatally injured, Ferry is faced with the hard decision to save Leo's life and maybe never see his mate again or let them both die, he decides to give them a small chance of meeting again. Ferry is banished to hell and becomes the Grim Reaper and Leo gets to live and reincarnate over and over again.
When they after 4000 years finally get the chance to meet again, Ferry has a new problem; Leo doesn't remember him and he is straight. And now the real fight for love begins.
This book just tugged on my heart strings but it also made me laugh so hard I couldn't breath. I absolutely loved all of the side characters and I know I will read their stories in due time. This book is more about the connection between the characters than the spice. This is not saying that there aren’t any hotter than hell scenes between the two of them.
The Damned Connections series are a spin off of The Reckless Damned series, but you can read these books without having read the previous ones. There is an overarching plot though so if you want to be totally updated reading them in order is advised. But as you can see I am not reading them in order and that is okay because the author gives us just enough backstory that I didn’t feel lost and we are given HEA and no cliffhangers in every book read.
Snowed In: An MM Romance Charity Anthology by Kelly Fox, Dianna Roman, Nora Phoenix, Kiki Clark, Cora Rose, Nicole Dykes, A.M. Johnson, Lark Taylor, Crea Reitan, E.M. Lindsey
4.5
Wonderfully stories!!!
Out in the Open by A.J. Truman
4.0
Out in the Open by AJ Truman
This book may have been published in 2014 but it still feels fresh. At the tender age of 37 (yes I know ‘am vintage) I thought I had left the college romance books behind. But this book has made me intrigued and happy to read romances set in an era of my life that is long gone. One thing that I enjoyed so much is that you feel their age. The fact that they are in their early 20s and don't have everything figured out is refreshing. They are learning, evolving and testing limits both in regard to themselves and others.
Ethan is a sophomore and could be described as a nerd with clear goals and a one track mind to achieve them. But behind the scenes he yearns for something more, something unexpected and exciting then he meets Greg. Greg is a fratboy and a cocky one at that and let's just say the first meeting did not leave a good impression.
But then a small incident during class turns it all on its head and they go from classmates to enemies-with-benefits to friends with an arrangement. The big question is can they make it to boyfriends? Because the more Ethan opens up the more Greg closes himself off and it will be a journey for them to get on the same page when it comes to love and being in a relationship.
This book is spicy and these two can’t seem to help themselves. I mean the Library, the cinema and then the CONCERT HALL. Holy Sh!t they do try it all.