ladymacbeth2024's reviews
406 reviews

4.5 stars
I've waited for this book for a long time and I'm vey happy the author finally published it.

It was a complicated love story, where the MCs had to deal with conficted emotions, when the grief for the loss of a beloved lover is mixed with guilt, creating a combination of feelings that were not so easy to deal with nor to overcome.

Elijah is happily in love with his husband, Landon, they have a good life, until an accident at the lake, during a romantic evening, will take Landon away, leaving Elijah alone, hurt and confused about what really happened.
Silas has been sick his whole life: his heart has reached the end and he's not high in the list of recipients, so he's reisigned to die. His wife takes care of him, works 2 jobs to make ends meet and she's not ready to loose him.
The two men met a couple of months after Silas received a new heart.

Let's clarifying something that could put a lot of readers off this book: Silas is a cheater.
Yes, his marriage was not happy, his wife had a toxic behaviour that he started to notice only after the transplant (even if there have been hints before that he didn't entirely acknowledge).
Yes, his attraction for Elijah was a heart memory, out of his control.
But he chose to pursue the other man, before ending his marriage, so yes, Silas is a cheater.
And he's also one of the most wonderful character written in MM romance.

I adored him, he's precious and brave, he didn't understand what was happening to him, but he wasn't scared to ask for more. When he felt that Elijah meant so much to him, that what he was feeling was strong, he didn't hesitate to put an end to his marriage to be with him and he never hid him.
Elijah is devasted by the loss of his husband, but Silas made him feel alive: Silas may have been the more fragile between the two of them, but he also had the ability of pushing Elijah out of his comfort zone. Elijah is completely smitten and he doesn't understand how it's possible to feel so much so soon. I loved his protective and caring side.

Their relationship is truly amazing. The connection, the banter, the chemistry, the ability to understand and support each other (and that had nothing to do with Silas' new heart), their intimacy and the feelings they had for each other.
Every little touch, every look or kiss is sweet and powerful at the same time.
The sex scenes are on another level, strong, consuming and so so intimate: Elijah is a little more dominant and Silas is totally under his spell. They melt into each other and nothing can break their connection (literally nothing or no one! The scene in the laundry was intense!). None of these scene was just sex, it was so much more since the first kiss.

What prevented me from giving 5 full stars:
I almost gave it 4 stars, honestly because there are too many things about the darker part of this book that were left unsaid and that I would have liked to be explained instead. 
For example,

since when Stacey was working for the organization? Was she forced in order to have a heart for his husband? Otherwise, how could have she afforded to buy a heart from the black market?

 
Moreover

what was the point of Landon's secret? Did he not trust Elijah about the money? The author said his family never loved him but asked constantly asked for money. I'd expected for them to pester Elijah about the inheritance, but he never had contact with them again...

But the part that bothered me the most was the fact that

after all the months they spent apart since the break up (by the way I honestly loved it and I second all Silas' reasons for it), Elijah still never clearly said that he loved Silas because he was his person, and that Landon's heart wasn't the reason for his feelings.

I would have love for him to be more determined about that, to give the other man the reassurance he needed, because Silas was amazing and him being so perfect for Elijah had nothing to do with his dead husband's heart. 
The heart brought them together, but it was not the reason for their love: this should have been said more explicitly.

Anyway, it was a really great book: the author is planning another book featuring two secondary characters of this story, I hope we'll have glimpses of Silas and Elijah too, because, honestly, I want so much more of them.

Highly recommended. 

4 stars
So good to read something new about the Four Bears Construction guys! I didn't know the author was planning another book, since tha last one came out almost 4 years ago.
In this book we get to know Griff, who works for the Bears, and his neighbour Ledger, who's determined to take down all Griff's wall and win him over.
The story was nice with low angst and a lot of spicy scenes. The parts with all the guys were hilarious as usual and I really really loved them.

I think I'm going to reread the whole series and I truly hope this won't be the last book. 

 My review doesn't refer to the whole book

Silver (Fox) Linings by Anna Sparrows - 4 stars
Cody and Kenneth have known each other since before Cody was born: he is, in fact, Kenneth's best friend's son. They meet one night in a club because Cody sends him a sos text (actually meant for his best friend) and Kenneth rescues him from a very bad date.
They start spending time together, after their night, they have the chance to get to know each other as adults and become friends: they also have an undeniable chemistry that will lead them to a friendship with benefits arrangement. Until romantic feelings will force them to take a chance on each other.
Despite Kenneth being in Cody's life since birth, there are no creepy or taboo vibes about it: Ken has always been a good and close friend to Mike, but he has never been a father figure for Cody and they hadn't had any contact for about 8 years before reconnecting.
I loved this story, I wish we could have more about them.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.


Fluttering Heart by Hinsel Meyer - 5 stars
I lovd this story so much! So sweet and tender, full of Valentine's vibes.
Finn drags his twin, Beau, from Chicago to Vegas to their brother Charlie (hockey player) with the purpose of cheer him up: in fact, Beau has been cheated on by his girlfriend and his best friend and coworker.
After seeing Charlie and Santa, they all go to a club and get drunk and, when it's time to go back to the hotel, Finn knocks at the wrong door and meet the love of his life, Lou.
They will spend the weekend going on dates and doing fun activities getting to know each other. Beau tags along and I loved it, honestly, because Finn, despite being very much enthralled by Lou, doesn't forget his brother.
A lot of cameos from All It Takes series (Gab, Sterling and Jules) and about the MCs dynamic of the next book make this novella very interesting.
Don't forget to download the awesome bonus scene (link at the end of the book).
Very recommended.


Two Wrongs Make Mister Right by Marie Sinclair - 3 stars
This novella was nice: I liked very much Morgan and Dimitri accidentally date, how they just clicked and formed a connection during their time together. Morgan was completely charmed by Dimitri, while Dimitri seemed a bit closed. It's later revealed that Dimitri hadn't been set up for a blind date, like Morgan, but that dinner should have been a "business arrangement".
What didn't completely work for me was that Dimitri, despite saying that he was caught up in Morgan, seemed actually a little cold and I didn't like that he was talking about their future relationship setting plans and steps (like, if it all goes well I'd like to call you boyfriend).


I'll update my review when I'll read more stories.

 

4 stars
It has been so good to be back in Ryker and Lake's life! Finally we get to see how things went for them, if they are making things work between med school and hockey career.
Spoiler not spoiler, they do! They live together in New York now and they are the cutest sappiest romantic couple ever.
They still look at each other with heart eyes: Lake has softened a lot for Ryk and his husband does everything h can to make him feel adored.

Obviously, with Ryker being in the closet, life is not always easy, but they manage. I loved the new friends they made and their domestic bubble.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
Scotty's situation was terribly anticlimatic and while Ryker's coming out fit very well his and Lake's charachters, I stil would have loved to see more.

The sex scenes (even if the author herself has described this book as "porn with vibes") are not only steamy but also so so romantic.

Who knows if Briar Prescott is planning more, I feel like Hayes and Kian have a lot to tell.
Recommended

Note to the readers: this book is part of a duet, better reading it after Just A Taste.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review. 

4.5 stars
This was a very adorable best friends to lovers with double awakening romance
No miscommunication, no unnecessary drama, just two men who have been inseparable their whole lives who are not afraid now to take a chance to be together in a romantic way.
I liked how they completed each other, Evan more straightforward and steady while James more reserved and a bit chaotic. I adored how they basically raised Mia together and how they took care of Joey too.
Their banter is amazing and they're the perfect representation of two people who have known each other since forever: they are very much in tune and their chemistry is undeniable. I appreciated a lot that the physical side of their relationship had a slow pace.

What prevented me from giving 5 full stars:
I didn't like very much Mia's attitude whan all was resolved and Evan made his suggestion. I also didn't like that James didn't back Evan up.

I adored seeing the MCs from the previous book again! (Will is still my favourite and I love him)
I hope the author will give us more stories in this series.

Note to the readers: the events of this book evolve in the same timeline as the events in book 2, You Don't Know Jack.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. 

5 stars
This book was amazing, it gave me all the feelings.
I'm usually not very fond of stories when the queer MC falls for his straight best man, because I can't handle the pining, but the author did an amazing job here describing Nick and Andy going from friends to lovers and I adored every second of it.
They're so in tune with each other: Nick is way less wealthy, but determined and resolute, very good at his work and confident around people. while Andy is a walking disaster, his very affluent upbringing shielded him from the reality around him, he was very eager to find his place in the office and he was genuinely fond of Nick and grateful to him for their friendship.
Grumpy Nick always taking care of oblivious Andy was so sweet.

They navigated their friendship mantaining a sort of distance at first, then, when Andy needed more support, they started living together and becoming more and more close.
Andy's sexual awakening was not rushed, but when his sorted out his feeling, he wasn't scared to love Nick. Even if it wasn't easy for them being a couple and the reality of the world outside kept crashing in, they were still able to cherish and protect their time together.

I also appreciated very much the author taking her time with the MCs' past: family, places, events, they're all integral part of the story and help to understand Nick and Andy's personalities better.

This story takes place in the late 50's, a time when being homosexual was a crime. This atmosphere obviously influences their lives and their relationship: there are a lot of fears, but also a lot of hope and dreams for the future.

Everything was so beautiful and emotional, it was a slow burn turned into a precious romantic love story. I look forward to read more from this author. 

5 stars
How dared she? How dared Saxon James to lead us back to the Frat Wars universe and give us just a novella? What was she thinking?
This story was so good, I loved everything about it: the first meeting, the banter, the sex scenes, the feelings growing stronger every day, the romance sneaking out of spicy moments, Dash willing to have his heart broken in order to have Archie even if temporarily, Archie's bravery to fight for the love of his life.
And Charlie! Gahh, it was so good to see him again! My only complain is that I would have loved to have some scenes with him as a baby.

This was a fantastic story. Now I'll have to re read the whole series.

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review 

4 stars
Very lovely story of two best friends finally having their chance to be together.
Wade returns to his hometown in the mountains after a year of being hurt and miserable: his career in the military ended because of an injury and after rehab and some times at his mom's, he goes back to his best friend.
Wade and Logan were very different but also inseparable during high school, they also shared a moment but they couldn't seize the opportunity, depite being secretly in love with each other.

Wade is confused and scared, he doesn't have any plan for his future and has nothing to offer to Logan; Logan lives a simple life, he likes his routine and, because of that, he thinks a man like Wade can't be interested in a guy like him.

I liked very much how Logan supported Wade and never made him feel worthless. And I also liked how Wade was a safe space for Logan to be himself.

What prevented me from giving a higher rate:
I would have loved for the story to be more deepened, some themes remains too superficial, like Wade's recovery and his difficulties with dealing with the loss of his dream to be deployed.

I'll definitely keep reading this series, the next stoy seems very promising.

I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and this is my honest review. 

4.5 stars
Emotional love story between two men who have disliked each other for years and now have to pull their hostility aside to take care of their 6 years old niece.
Owen and Everest were happily single, focused on their career (Owen) and their friends (Everest), when they received a terrible news: their siblings (Jeremy, Owen's brother, and Eden, Everest's sister) died in a car accident and their little daughter needs them to step up as guardians.

I think the author did an awesome job in describing all the difficulties both of them had to face in order to create a serene space for Ivy: she already lost too much and she deserved their unconditioned love. But keeping things peaceful between them is very difficult because they're so different from each other; Everest is easygoing and fun, Owen thinks he's too shallow, but in reality he has the ability to calm Ivy down and let her deal with her emotions. Owen is more firm and Everett believes he's like a drill sergeant, but thanks to his attitude, he can provide a stable routine for Ivy.
They complete each other and little by little they become a real family.

I liked how their relationship evolved: the first times they were having sex was more out to frustration and strong attraction, then feelings got involved too and their nights together became more and more intimate.
I literally adored when they let themselves be vulnerable, knowing that the other could support them and help them handle fear and pain. And their love declaration was very beautiful an emotional.

I cut half a star just because I needed more from the epilogue and I would have love to see more of the Mars guys too.

I don't know if the author has plans to continue this serie, but I hope she will.

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review. 

5 stars
Lance Lansdale has the ability to write about ove the top characters, ridiculous situations and unhingend stories that'll make you laugh a lot, but also cry ugly tears.
It happened with the Bens' story too: under all that mischievous cuteness there were two broken boys who survided not only a difficult childhood, but also the abuse of a horrible partner.
Benji and Bennet are joined to the hip, they love each other very much, but until the end of their relationship with Nito, they never thought they could be more.
I liked how Benji was cute and fierce, while Ben was more reserved and less impulsive.
Nate is great too: I loveed his obliviousness about the Bens' intentions and his own sexuality, his strong need to protect and take care of his boys, his firm and resolute personality, despite having a low self esteem.

I also liked how Nate and his son's realtionship evolved: after being left by Tatum first and by his own wife later, Nate was resigned to be alone and when Benji and Bennet showed him how all of them could be good together, he finally started taking care of himself and his own needs too. Tatum had to accept that he was not the centre of his father's life anymore.
I really really like that Nate was very upfront about his relationship with the Bens and never allowed anyone to overstep.

I hope we'll have agent Meadows' story too, beacuse he's very intriguing.

Definitely recommended.