noa_ashley_'s reviews
486 reviews

"I’ve never been the one to change anyone’s life." - Archie

"I don’t understand why he doesn’t know how truly amazing he is, but I’ll spend the rest of my life letting him know just how incredible he is if he’ll let me." - Cane

This is a type of "Don't judge this book by the first few chapters" kind of book.

So Cane isn't single in the beginning of this book... This book is definitely different and it was so interesting to figure it all out. It was also definitely painful, for all the characters that were in the middle of it all but it's better then continue with a life they aren't happy in.

Cane is so much better with Archie then with his ex. Cane and Archie really are a match! Cane deserves a partner that wants every part of him, someone that sees how much he loves his animals. And Archie deserves someone that sees him and wants him. In a way they healed parts of each other. They are just two people that have been let down by the people that were supposed to love them unconditionally. And that really formed them in the adults they are. I'm glad that Archie found his found family in the Oakley's crew and that Cane could see men openly love their partners, that really helped him so much. 

I received an ARC copy for this book.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I really loved it.

Carter is the new vet and Isaac needed time to get used to him and change. Isaac was very grumpy but Carter got to know him, slowly and that worked. They really could work on communication. It just took time and it's all so new, especially for Isaac. There are dogs in this book! Isaac also had a hard time loving his Service dog. Dogs are also just our best friends, for their entire lives. And I really loved that they were so interested in each other's lives, and their work. They just wanted to get to know every part. This book was sweet, funny and emotional also very frustrating but there was character development from Isaac. 

“Every scar, every mark it’s part of what makes you extraordinary. You’ve fought through so much to be standing here, and that’s what I admire. You’re not just beautiful; you’re a warrior.” - Declan

"With Declan, everything else falls away. The past, the hurt, the fear it all dissolves, leaving just this moment. Just us." - Savion

From the start Savion saw Declan as a person and not as a famous artist and Declan always treated Savion with a lot of respect and patience, he saw Savion, a person. Savion has scars and is sadly used to people saying mean things or staring at him because of that. He has a hard time believing that he deserves love and that he is beautiful and  Declan gladly tells him that he is beautiful, as many times as he needs to hear those words, he helps him be more comfortable in his own skin. And he also helps Savior with his panic attacks in a good way, he just always listen and makes sure that he is okay. 

I really loved that they gave each other time to explain parts of themselves, they treated each other with so much care and love. And the small changes in Savion’s confidence were  written beautifully. Him choosing to not wear makeup around Declan because he realized that Declan would never say anything negative about his looks and that Declan makes him feel safe. And Declan telling Savion a personal story very early on in the book because Savion makes him feel safe enough to open up without judgment. 

This book had definitely some unexpected twists but I loved reading their story. Double bi-awakening & age gap. I received an copy of this book.

"I think that our love will change too, and we could be in love someday if we allow ourselves to be. If we open ourselves up to that possibility. The question is whether we’re willing to give it a chance." - Etna

"I suppose if I were going to kiss any guy, I’d kiss him. He’s my best friend, so why not, right? I guess he’s attractive." - Keno 

Keno & Etna are best friends, they (almost) share everything, a bank account, food, clothes and so much more. They are just intertwined in each others lives even before they joked about getting married, them getting married just makes sense. 

There is a lot of wedding planning. And planning their spicy life in little steps because this is a big thing for them, their first time with a man. There is a Calendar moment at the beginning of every chapter and that made it very easy to understand and what to expect from the chapter. My nero spicy brain felt very seen and understood. ALSO the Van Doren family is mentioned, I'm happy with every little breadcrumb about them!!! The timeline of their love story felt right, they took it slow. Hugging and kissing felt like a second nature, the more they had moments like "This is one of those moments when I think a nice hug would help soften the misery of today’s defeat." 

"If the world were a queer-accepting society, I’m pretty sure we’d have fallen in love hard and fast." - Keno

Crea always finds a way to make (sadly) realistic moments be a part of her books, those parts make me feel seen. I really love that this is a fictional book but that it also could be about people in real life. I mean marrying your best friend and then fall in love is just a dream. 

My husband isn’t becoming my best friend. My best friend is becoming my husband." - Etna

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much.

This is a Anthology with short stories from different authors. I'm going to read all the stories eventually but for now I've only read:

Fluttered Heart by Hinsel Meyer 

“You’re here with me, a practical stranger, trying again after having those awful experiences. You’re strong, Lou, trust me.” - Finn

“I feel like the universe is finally smiling down on me.” - Lou

Lou isn't used to people showing affection in public but Finn changes that. This short story is full with moments between Finn's brothers and moments with Lou and of them all together. This is a good start to what hopefully turns out to be a loving relationship. They already trust each other and can show each how excited they are about their future! Eventhough this is a short story, there is still a lot of personality, and fun moments. 

Reading an Anthology is a great way to get to know new authors and writing styles. 

I received an ARC copy of this book. Thank you so much!

"The girl that had been like a little sister to me had fallen prey to the same monster that I had, and I hadn’t known." - Lennon

This (LGBTQIA+) Mysery/Thriller takes place at a deaf and hard-of-hearing school, that was written with a lot of care. The book start with that a student passed away. Lennon and her friends are trying to figure out, what happened. Lennon also gets anonymous text messages. 

"Very few hearing families make the effort to learn to sign."
 
This book had very long chapters and it felt messy. It was hard to follow for me. That's why I gave it 3 stars. 

I received an ARC copy of this book.

"I knew it that night and I know it now. Only this time, I have him. He’s not fighting it." - Luca

“Come back, Luca. You’re safe. You can come back now.” - Viktor

I love that even though this is a mafia Serie, the characters can still wear what they want and like who they want. It is a safe space where they are accepted for who they are. I think that this is also my favorite book in the serie at the moment. My favorite side characters are still Teddy (Teddy better get a book, I need to know everything he knows about everyone) and Bane! Can't wait to read Bane's book, especially after this cliffhanger! He is just so Bane. There is nobody like him. 

Viktor: “Since when have you ever danced?” 
Bane: “I watch videos and practice. The people in the basement think I’m very good.”

I also loved reading the characters that already have books, from a  different perspective. I think that I like Anthony more now, he is calmer or at least I had a different opinion about him in his book. I'm also glad that they still talk about Laura (Anthony's late wife), she was a part of their (Antony & Luca) lives. 

Anthony: "I think you two can help one another heal." 

There was a lot of denial in this book from Viktor and Luca, they didn't want to like each other and for a while it felt like a game to them. Thankfully Anthony had conversations with both Luca and Viktor. The romance started romancing in the second half of the book and the timing felt right. Luca was really trying to show Viktor that he wanted more, it even surprised me that he had a sweet and gentle side, it was hard for him to show that side but it was worth it. It was beautiful that Anthony could help Luca with that and they just wanted the best for each other after losing Laura.

"We were just kids. We did what we had to, to survive." - Viktor  

I'm glad that they have each other and that they can help each other heal and that they have this found family.

I received an ARC copy of this book.

“You understand me in a way no one else does. I recognized it the moment we met. It’s time you accept that I understand you too." - Remy

"Even after finding out what I've... been through, he still wants me. He loves me." - Win

This book has 2 time-lines in both POV'S. The POV's in the past are mostly from years ago, where their friendship turned into a relationship and that happens between them and in their own lives. The other POV is in the present, where Remy is trying to forgive Winnie after they haven't seen each other for years. This book has a mystery element because the reader is trying to figure out what happened all those years ago. I really loved that part, it made the book hard to put down. I JUST NEEDED TO KNOW, most of the chapters are short as well.

Winnie has always been alone with his own thoughts and struggles. He didn't let anyone in, a part of that is because he wants to protect Remy. They are both scared to be a burden, so they didn't talk about that, for a while. It's also clear that nobody asked Winnie the right questions or treated him with care, so many people have failed him from such a young age, he never learned how to talk about his feelings. That makes it hard for him to open up and be honest. It was all too much for him and he became an addict. But he decided to do things differently and got his second chance with Remy. They are both so brave and strong. I'm glad that he found the violin again. Music is a form of therapy for Win.

"It's hard for me to...accept comfort when I don't think I deserve it." - Win

Remy has depression and although his parents try to help or understand him, they still see him (for the most part) as the diagnosis and forget to see Remy as a person. Win helped them realize that. Everyone has their own struggles and Remy and Win are both broken boys, they've hurt each other in the past and are really trying to not do that in the present as well. Remy struggled a lot and Win helped him, and I'm glad that Remy also was able to do the same for Win later on. Win being a st@lker (LIGHT st@lking) that brought Remy food and loves his cat (Mitz) and then decide this all would've been better if he gave Remy a choice, really showed how much Win needed Remy to survive. It's a great emotional book, with great conversations, and deeper meaning! Oh and I thought part 1 was sad, and then there was part 2.... Crying! I'm really excited for Andrea's book (Remy's best friend), I'm glad that she was always there to help Remy.

This book feels so real, my heart really broke but was put back together in the end. I'm glad that Winnie has justice and that Remy helped him enjoy the parts that deeply traumatized him. It was written with a lot of care. PTSD is not something that just goes away, every situation is different even if you've done the same thing with good experience again and again, you never know when it triggers you and that was realistic. Depression is something that they both have. They understand each other and they are healing together, they have always been in each other's minds. ALWAYS!

Win: "The brain is like any other organ. It can get sick."

Remy: You mean... you brain is sick too? He nods against me.

The writing was very beautiful and felt so real, definitely an author I want to read more from. I just feel so emotionally connected to the characters. They really are perfect for each other! They did it!!! Make sure to check the trigger warnings!

- Second Chance MM Romance

- Kissing Scars

- Nightmares

- A Cat (Mitz)

- Making sure the other eats

- Letters and text messages

- 2 time-lines, both POV'S

- Heavy on the mental health trope

- Winnie: Gray eyes, tattoos, piercings, eyeliner

- Remy: Hazel eyes, wears glasses (sometimes)

I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, thank you so much!!!

"You’re living in the past. You’re afraid to let yourself be too happy. You’re afraid to tell me you love me." - Vivienne

"I’ve never felt so helpless. Knowing I should push her away, but also knowing that I don’t want to." - Asher

This is Asher and Vivienne their second book (first one is: Restrictions). It is strongly recommended reading this Serie in order. This Serie is about the Sterling Family finding love while grieving.

Everyone feels guilty about what happened to their loved one. Especially Asher has a very hard time allowing himself to be happy, he was struggling with that a lot and because of that, he pushed people away and hurt them. Everyone handles grief in different ways and does that in their own time.

"With the Sterlings, it’s never easy, but we get there."

Vivienne is an amazing person and mother to Sebastian. Bash is the sunshine of the family and I'm really glad that the family is healing for themselves and each other. This serie is also very toxic, after a long time Asher & Vivienne learned how to talk and break the toxic cycle. The epilogue made me cry, their proces felt very realistic. Their loved one that passed away would have wanted their family to find love and be happy. They deserve that.

"No matter how many seats we add to the table, there will always be an empty space."

It's really good to read about the other family members too, after already have their books. They grew up so much! There are also some much needed conversations in this book too, that definitely gave Asher & Vivienne courage to have those conversations themselves as well and to finally be together. It took a lot of time but they got there in the end.

This book is republished under the name N. Brown (Nicole Dykes her pen name). I received an ARC copy of this book.

"He was the sunshine while I was the shadow. No amount of darkness seemed to dull him throughout the years, not even with the death of his husband." - Sid

"Who would ever believe this criminal, this k!ller could be tender and gentle? You’d never imagine such a man would want to hold and snuggle with his partner." - Dalton

I'm really glad that Sid and Dalton got their second chance. Sid bullied Dalton in high school and that was explained very early in the book, it really helped me see how much they care about each other, even 27 years later.

Sid explained what he's been through and his triggers. Dalton was aware of Sid's boundaries and was very respectful. Dalton trusted him enough to also explain why people are after him. Dalton had a hard time seeing Sid as a person, in the beginning. He mostly saw him as a k!ller while he's also a person. Sid saw Dalton's name in a file and went after him to protect him and Dalton's son Owen. I really enjoyed the moments between Easton and Sid. Sid really tried to show Easton that he will always have a part in Sid's life. I'm so excited to read more about Easton and his side of their connection, he is very loyal and protective in his own way.

I also loved that Sid gave Dalton a place to talk about his deceased husband, Matt. Matt will always be a part of Dalton. It's very thoughtful that he asked about him and gave Dalton that safe feeling to do that. Sid is just really sweet and loyal to the people he cares about. He did betray his family but he didn't see another way. This story takes place in a different setting then the other books and I liked that change. 

The District is a dark romance serie where queer people are hired to take out bad people, they make the world a little bit safer in their own way. Along the way they found their family in each other.

I received an ARC copy of this book