Get Ink'd is one of my favourite series. I love how the tattoo shop is a band of misfits who have all come together and are a real, honest family to eGet Ink'd is one of my favourite series. I love how the tattoo shop is a band of misfits who have all come together and are a real, honest family to each other.
Bad Boy Ink is the story of Aiden, and Bryce, the Thor-lookalike, sweet, funny and flirty guy who everyone loves. Even though he's got a successful career as a tattoo artist, Bryce's true passion is computers, and coding. In his younger days, he survived by hacking, and his goal now is to become an FBI agent focused on cybercrime to catch those black-hat hacker who steal from innocent people like his grandmother.
Aiden is gunning for the same FBI job. But Aiden is struggling to prove to himself that he's worthy. He struggles with feeling like he's enough since his wealthy parents threw him out at 18 because he wouldn't live his life exactly how they wanted.
Because they are competing for the same job, when they discover that not only are they in the same forensics class , but they have been assigned as partners for a huge group project, things get off to a rocky start. Aiden is absolutely adamant that no matter how sweet and likeable Bryce is, he will NOT be distracted from his goal. But Bryce has a way of breaking down Aiden's walls. And soon he finds that he can't stop thinking about him.
Bad Boy Ink is a really sweet story. Aiden is so prickly that you just know there's something more to him. He fights so hard to stay aloof from everyone, but Bryce is able to get behind his walls and show him what it's like to actually have someone support him. My favourite scene in the whole book is when they run into Aiden's dad. Bryce stands up for Aiden and it feels so good to have someone in his corner, that's the beginning of Aiden beginning to fall for Bryce.
Bad Boy Ink is a great addition to the Get Ink'd series. We also get to meet a new character whose story will be told in the next book, so I look forward to that. ...more
I've found yet another great MM series to get excited about! Book 1 in the Hollywood Hopefuls series by Jeris Jean is the story of two fairly well-knoI've found yet another great MM series to get excited about! Book 1 in the Hollywood Hopefuls series by Jeris Jean is the story of two fairly well-known actors who are cast together in a Downton Abbey-like TV Drama. Finn is the star of a teen soap called Luna's Cove, while Grayson is a "serious actor" who has big hopes of making the jump from TV to films. The two of them hit it off right away, as Finn is really eager to prove himself. He wants to make sure everyone knows he's more than just the pretty faced star of a teen soap. He joins the cast of Frost Manor in the third season, so he's already unsure of himself among actors with a lot more experience in "TV for grownups", and who have been acting together for a couple of seasons already.
Co-incidentally Finn and Grayson share the same Hollywood agent - Kayla, who is known as the best in the business. As an agent she's responsible for both their business contracts and deals, as well as making sure their private lives are "managed" so that they get the most benefit of any publicity. When Finn and Grayson get together, Kayla and the showrunners don't think it will be good for the show, so they make them promise to keep their relationship quiet - and even to act as if they can't stand each other.
Pretending they don't like each other takes its toll on both of them. Grayson's previous relationship was with someone who was much more interested in the publicity he got from Grayson, and he would get angry when Grayson didn't want to be seen out with him ALL the time. Finn, on the other hand, struggles with the fact that he's had a celebrity crush on Grayson since he was a kid, and the fact that Grayson is actually into him in real life is hard for him to believe. As a result he looks for ways the relationship might fail, and jumps to all kinds of conclusions when they have a disagreement.
I liked how both guys seemed to know right away that their relationship was something special and different than anything they had experienced before. But letting other people decide for them how to live their lives, and how open to be about who they are, led to problems for them both. It took time apart for them to realize how important honesty is and how much healthier it is to not hide things about themselves.
I really enjoyed Running Lines and I'm eagerly awaiting Book 2, where we get the story of two characters we've already met. ...more
Liam Wright is a local TV weatherman who has his sights set on the "big leagues" - becoming the meteorologist for the national morning show. He's willLiam Wright is a local TV weatherman who has his sights set on the "big leagues" - becoming the meteorologist for the national morning show. He's willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to reach his goal, including having his hair measured each week to make sure it's the "right" length, having a ridiculous on-air catch-phrase, and worst of all, highlighting the fact that his rear-end is disproportionately large. Even though Liam is starting to hate all the stupid crap he's having to deal with to reach his goal, he's keeping his eye on the prize. But all the focus on his appearance is making him wonder whether his goal is worth it. What he really wants is a national platform to bring attention to big issues like climate change. He wants to make a difference, but this gig as a TV weatherman is starting to feel like a pretty shallow exercise.
Enter Hudson Madden - he owns the gym where Liam goes to try and "proportionalize" his the rest of his smallish body to his big booty. Hudson is a sweet, gentle giant. Six foot six, shaved head, lots of ink and a man of few words, he too is starting to get tired of everyone making assumptions of him based on his looks. Most people assume that he's an alpha, when the truth is his interests in the bedroom don't fit neatly under any label.
Liam and Hudson decide to have a "fake" relationship in order to help Liam get noticed by the big network, and to boost publicity for Hudson's struggling gym. But the relationship doesn't stay fake for very long.
In finding each other and going through the motions of their "fake" relationship, both Liam and Hudson learn that not fitting neatly into a box that society makes for you is okay. More than okay. Embracing the fact that they don't fit into those boxes is a really great way to find happiness.
I enjoyed Forecast more than I thought I would, since I'm not usually drawn to Daddy/boy relationships, but I felt like that part of their relationship was very minimal. Overall Forecast is an enjoyable and run read....more
Kian is the successful owner of two businesses in the little Maine lobster-fishing town of Brigs Ferry Bay: Blur, a gay-friendly nightclub, and Focus,Kian is the successful owner of two businesses in the little Maine lobster-fishing town of Brigs Ferry Bay: Blur, a gay-friendly nightclub, and Focus, a sophisticated wine bar.
Archer is new in Brigs Ferry Bay, having just moved to town from Alaska to help his sister after her husband left her and their two kids. But Archer is still grieving his partner Mason's death from a year earlier, and he has no intention of giving in to his attraction to sweet and friendly Kian.
Archer is carrying so much pain both from the loss of Mason and from a childhood where he and his sister, Sara, were badly neglected. As a result he simply assumes that Kian will leave him eventually, one way or another, like everyone else in his life has. So he fights the instinct to get attached. When Kian has to make a hard decision about letting Sara keep her job at Focus when she clearly can't handle it, Archer figure he was right - Kian will disappoint him like everyone else.
Sara's depression eventually comes to a head, and Archer realizes trying to take care of everything in life all alone won't work anymore. He needs support to help Sara get through her pain, and help to care for her kids. Kian is there for him 100%, proving all his assumptions about being left to fend for himself wrong.
I loved watching both Archer and Kian grow. Archer's issues were pretty obvious, but Kian had been struggling as well. When he watched his old high-school boyfriend come out of the closet to be with someone else it brought up a lot of insecurity. He struggled with wondering why he hadn't been enough for Jax. But he needed to learn that it really wasn't about him, Jax had his own reasons for being closeted and he hadn't been ready 10 years earlier.
Kian's Focus is a lovely story about letting go and moving forward. Archer needed to let go of Mason, Sara needed to let go of her abusive ex-husband, and Kian had to let go of the insecurity that followed him around for the years. This series is off to such a great start and I can't wait for the next installment! ...more
This is the first book by Tara Lain that I've read, even though it's the 8th book in the Balls To The Wall series. I have to admit the reason I signedThis is the first book by Tara Lain that I've read, even though it's the 8th book in the Balls To The Wall series. I have to admit the reason I signed up to review is because the title made me laugh out loud! It totally exceeded my expectations!
Jimothy is a sweet, twinky stylist whose talent is highly regarded in the wealthy, SoCal enclave where he has his salon. Rick, on the other hand, is a deeply closeted blue-collar construction worker who has been trying to tell himself he's not gay, but bisexual, for years. He hides both emotionally and physically behind his huge, bushy beard and crazy long hair that he hasn't had cut in years. But the younger sister he adores is getting married, and she begs him to clean up his look for her big society wedding. So he braves his fears and goes to Jimothy's salon after one of his gay clients refers him. The first meeting results in him literally running from the salon in the throes of a panic attack.
He faces his fear and comes back to apologize. Jimothy not only agrees to cut his hair, but he also agrees to renovate Rick's wardrobe for the wedding, and even re-decorate the crappy little apartment Rick lives in. And it turns out Jimothy is so irresistable that Rick realizes he has no choice but to face up to his reality, knowing that losing Jimothy from his life would be FAR worse than facing his fear of coming out of the closet to his blue-collar friends and father.
I loved Hair Balls. Jimothy is the sweetest character, and he seems like he would be SO much fun to hang out with. He's also got the biggest heart, and I fell in love with him right along with Rick. Hair Balls is sweet and funny and poignant. It's one of those books I didn't want to end because I loved hanging out with the characters so much! ...more
Lucas is firmly in the closet. He's spent nearly a lifetime hiding his sexuality from his family, workplace and especially his best friend, who he's bLucas is firmly in the closet. He's spent nearly a lifetime hiding his sexuality from his family, workplace and especially his best friend, who he's been in love with since high school. But Garrett is straight as an arrow, with a lovely girlfriend and a 5 year old son. So Garrett dates women, but satisfies his sexuality with random hookups with strangers. He hooks up with Kyler Scott one night over his summer holiday, and he can't get the young bartender and aspiring artist out of his head.
Kyler is a sweet art student who works as a bartender and moonlights as an exotic dancer at a gay bar. He's also recovering from an emotionally abusive and controlling relationship, so he has zero interest in repeating his hookup with Luc, despite it being some of the most earth-shattering sex he's ever had.
Their worlds collide when the school year begins and they discover that Luc is Kyler's art-history professor. Even though Luc was definitely looking for a repeat hookup - once he realized he was Kyler's teacher, he realized there was NO way that could ever happen.
But chemistry is a powerful thing and neither one of them can resist the pull toward each other. The other looming issue is that Lucas has a grandmother he adores who very much wants him to be married. But it takes a health scare of hers for Lucas to realize that he can't live his life solely to make his grandmother happy anymore, but he does want to give her what she wants, he just won't be marrying who she expects.
Even once he decides to truly go after Kyler, things are complicated, but watching it play out between the two of them is a pleasure, since they are both such likeable characters. They both learned that the lives they had planned for themselves may not have worked out, but taking a different path, or changing course, to happiness can be just as fulfilling. ...more
The Men of The White House series is probably my favourite series right now. I'm a bit of a political nerd, so this series pushes all the right buttonThe Men of The White House series is probably my favourite series right now. I'm a bit of a political nerd, so this series pushes all the right buttons for me! The series is about several different MM couples, each who gets their own happy ending, but all is told against the backdrop of several shocking acts of terrorism. We get to see how the terrorism affects each guy a bit differently, how it affects both their personal and their professional lives. The suspenseful story of how, why and who committed these horrible crimes is stretched throughout all the novels. I LOVE it. It's like the best kind of political thriller with just enough steam to keep it fun.
Book 3, Click, is the story of White House photographer Rhett and White House Chief of Staff Calix. This couple is my favourite of the series so far, which is saying a lot because I LOVE all these couples. Calix is a widower, his husband was killed in one of the terrorist attacks. Rhett, while he didn't lose a loved one in the bombing, was deeply traumatized by being there and seeing and photographing the aftermath of the attack. He was so affected that he became agoraphobic for a period of time, and even 5 years later has trouble being in crowds. As a result of the time it took for him to process and heal from his trauma, he had never had a romantic relationship of any kind - not even a hookup. Being a virgin had become a source of shame for him.
When Calix learns of the sweet younger man's issue with feelings of self-doubt and shame around his lack of experience, he offers to "mentor" him in romantic and sexual relationships. Calix believes he'll never be fully over his husband's death, and so he makes sure Rhett knows he won't be able to take their relationship beyond "friends with benefits".
What starts out in Calix's mind as him doing Rhett a "favour", ends up being the key to his own healing. Rhett helps him realize that cutting himself off for the five years after Matthew's death wasn't helping him heal. It was only prolonging the process. And when he realizes his feelings for Rhett are way beyond what he had planned for, it brings up a LOT of stuff for him.
I'm not sure how many books Nora has planned for this series, but I know I'll be eagerly reading them all! ...more
The Santa Claus is the story of Deacon and Kris. It's a prequel novella to the Men Of The World series, and I think it would be more enjoyable to readThe Santa Claus is the story of Deacon and Kris. It's a prequel novella to the Men Of The World series, and I think it would be more enjoyable to read after you know some of those characters. Deacon is obviously the main character who will be featured in the rest of the Men Of The World series. (In this series he's a reality show contestant who meets 12 different bachelors in 12 different countries.) It's not clear whether Kris ever shows up again.
Deacon is a well-known actor but he has fallen on hard times. His show has been cancelled and his ex-boyfriend has pretty much stolen everything from him, so he's moved home with his family to nurse his wounds. On a shopping trip with his sister he meets Kris (yes his name is actually Kris Kringle) who is playing Santa at the mall. Over the course of the holiday season, they develop a friendship of sorts, and they explore the physical chemistry that simmers between them - which does wonders for Deacon's state of mind. But it's not clear whether they keep up their friendship once Deacon starts filming the reality show. We don't get much back story on Kris, other than he seems to care a lot for Deacon.
It's a cute, fast read, but I definitely think it will be enjoyed more if you know more about the rest of the series. ...more
Jake Axelrod is all alone. He's been working to raise his 4 year old daughter, Stacey, by himself, since his ex-husband left them 2 years ago. To makeJake Axelrod is all alone. He's been working to raise his 4 year old daughter, Stacey, by himself, since his ex-husband left them 2 years ago. To make things even worse, something traumatic has happened to Stacey and she stopped talking - right before Brian left. Since then Jake has felt like the walls have been closing in on him. He loves Stacey more than anything in the world, but not knowing what happened to her and not knowing how to help is eating him alive.
Shea Montgomery grew up on the Forget Me Not Ranch in Texas, but as a rising star in the modeling world, he's been planning for years to leave the ranch and move to New York. His plans were delayed when his father took sick, and Shea remained on the ranch to help take care of him and run the ranch.
Jake's company has organized a corporate retreat at the ranch, and he's absolutely dreading leaving Stacey, even though he has a wonderful babysitter. But even being at Forget Me Not Ranch for a few days, Jake noticed his stress level dropped dramatically. Something about the land and the animals on the ranch calmed his soul. It helped that Shea is the best looking cowboy he's ever laid eyes on, and not only is he gorgeous, he's kind and sweet to boot.
The attraction between Jake and Shea is there right from the start, but their lives are so different, they convince themselves any kind of relationship would be impossible. But after being home only a few weeks, Jake decides the ranch might be good for Stacey, so they head back for a vacation.
During that week, Shea falls absolutely head over heels in love with both Stacey and Jake, but his dream had always been to leave the ranch. Even when it becomes clear that Forget Me Not is the best place for Stacey to heal and grow from her trauma, Shea isn't sure what to do.
In the end, Forget Me Not is a story of being able to accept that plans change. Sometimes your goals sound amazing to begin with, but as life and circumstances change, different goals and plans may become more important. Both Jake and Shea learn those lessons, and the end result is a sweet love story....more
Max Robertson is a high-powered attorney in NYC and he's on the verge of making partner. He hasn't returned to the small town of Edgewood for more thaMax Robertson is a high-powered attorney in NYC and he's on the verge of making partner. He hasn't returned to the small town of Edgewood for more than 10 years. He and his mother had moved away after a scandal involving his father, and Max wanted nothing to do with the town ever again. But Hal, his best friend, is still there. Hal and his two adorable little girls have had a terrible year after their mom unexpectedly left home and didn't return. Max decides to take a very quick trip home to Edgewood to spend one night with Hal and the girls, and then hurry back to the city to prep for an important meeting.
Dominic "Nicky" Bell is Hal's younger brother. He's a veteran who hasn't been back in Edgewood long, and he's a new member of the local police force. He's also had a crush on Max since he was a kid. When he gets called out to rescue a stranded BMW driver in the middle of a snowstorm, he recognizes that driver is Max right away. Max has no idea who Dominic is, but he can definitely appreciate the gorgeous cop who helps him out when his car skids off the road. He is shocked a bit later to learn that this gorgeous man is Hal's kid brother who he hadn't paid a whole lot of attention to as a kid.
Max has NO interest in returning to Edgewood to live, in fact he doesn't even want to spend more than one night there. But his car can't be fixed for days, so he ends up staying longer than planned. He had always believed that making partner at his law firm was the most important thing in his life at this point, but meeting Dominic makes him question single-minded desire to climb the corporate ladder. He hadn't expected to find anything but bad memories in Edgewood, but his connection with Dominic helps him see the little town through different eyes. He realizes that most of the people there remember him fondly, and don't blame him for his father's mistakes. And that maybe what he really wants isn't a corner office after all.
His Holiday Crush is about finding love in an unexpected place, and also being able to adjust your perspective to see that something you believe is true for a long time, may not be correct after all. ...more
Spencer and his twin sister Emily are the co-CEO's of a billion-dollar real estate company, Cox Property Group. He is smack in the middle of a scandalSpencer and his twin sister Emily are the co-CEO's of a billion-dollar real estate company, Cox Property Group. He is smack in the middle of a scandal in which his executive assistant has accused him of sexually harassing her, and has gone to the press with her allegations. The allegations however, are completely false - made even more ridiculous by the fact that Spencer is gay, however not many people know that about him.
Will Crawford is a recent computer science graduate, but he has accepted a job as Spencer's executive assistant so that he can help his mother with medical bills after her stroke. However, Spencer doesn't meet Will before he gets hired and they end up having a random hookup in a gay bar one night before Spencer starts his new job.
They are both utterly shocked to clap eyes on each other the day Spencer starts his new job. But after some awkward moments, they decide that they can be adults about the situation, and agree not to hook up again.
That doesn't last long, however, as their physical attraction grows into much more as they get to know each other. Spence and Will are electric together; the juicy bits are SUPER hot. Plus they actually, genuinely like each other, and as their relationship grows they are tender and sweet together, while still being dirty as all-get-out in the bedroom.
The only thing I thought didn't quite work was that Spencer was supposed to have a VERY strict rule with himself that he never dated co-workers. But after he was able to hold out for a month or so, that all just goes by the wayside, and they are all of the sudden in a relationship; he doesn't seem to have any lingering worries about breaking his cardinal rule.
Even so, Mr. Big Shot is a really fun, sexy read, with sexy, fun characters that I'd love...more
Holy Hell - This book is the absolute definition of gripping. The Intern grabbed me by the throat from the very first scene, and didn't let go.
It's aHoly Hell - This book is the absolute definition of gripping. The Intern grabbed me by the throat from the very first scene, and didn't let go.
It's almost impossible to describe The Intern without spoilers. Devlin and Micah's story takes you places you never expect to go, but you're SO glad you went there. I spent quite a while waiting for "the other shoe to drop" in the story, though I wasn't sure whether it would be Devlin or Micah who would initiate it. I never would have expected what happened in The Intern, and it quite literally kept me awake one night thinking about it.
While certain parts were difficult to read, it was so worth it to get to the end. Both characters are complicated, interesting, and ultimately very likeable. The tenderness and respect between them is heartwarming, and the way they stick together when the unthinkable happens brought tears to my eyes.
In my opinion, The Intern is one of the best books of 2020. It tackles some complicated and sensitive issues, but it was really well written, and it brings to light a subject that isn't talked about much, but should be. I LOVED The Intern, and I know it's a book I'll read again. It's the first book by Serena Akeroyd I've read - but it will not be the last! Five very enthusiastic stars for this one. ...more
After being horribly injured in an accident while on the job, Firefighter Owen Douglas takes up adaptive rowing at the encouragement of a friend and hAfter being horribly injured in an accident while on the job, Firefighter Owen Douglas takes up adaptive rowing at the encouragement of a friend and his physical therapist to help with his rehab and fight his depression. He meets soft-spoken veterinarian Adam Lennox there, and it's love at first sight.
But both men are fighting demons. Adam has recently left a relationship that was so abusive he had to change his identity to keep his ex from finding him. After so long in an abusive situation he isn't even sure he knows what love is anymore. He brings a huge amount of baggage, and possibly even danger, into a new relationship. He isn't sure this is fair to Owen.
For his part, Owen is fighting lingering PTSD symptoms brought on by his accident. He is also struggling with the fact that he no longer feels like he belongs at the firehall. Being the first out battalion chief in the department was difficult enough to deal with without having to deal with the issues brought on by his accident. He is also realizing that his life of meaningless hookups and no real relationships isn't what he wants anymore. He wants an actual relationship - someone to rely on and spend time with aside from just sex. He wants to build a life and a love with someone. He thinks he may have found that with Adam.
When Owen learns that Adam's identity is fake, he has some trouble with it. He feels like the man he has fallen in love with has become a stranger. And he had sworn off strangers. But then Adam's ex shows up in their lives, and he understands why Adam had to run and hide. Jordan is terrifyingly unhinged, and he feels ownership over Adam, which puts both Adam and Owen in danger. It leads Adam to make some hard, risky decisions. But Owen refuses to give up on the man he loves, and they earn their happy ending.
Burning It Down was an enjoyable read. I felt Owen's anger and frustration towards Adam when he thought he wasn't standing up for himself. But I'm fortunate enough to have never experienced being in an abusive relationship, and I can understand how it might lead to decisions others wouldn't understand. I did enjoy both characters though. Both were just broken and damaged enough to be appealing, and I cheered for their happily ever after all the way. ...more
This is the first book I've read by DJ Jamison and I think I've discovered a new must-buy author! I loved Jonas and Quinn. At the beginning of the stoThis is the first book I've read by DJ Jamison and I think I've discovered a new must-buy author! I loved Jonas and Quinn. At the beginning of the story, Quinn is struggling. He has dropped out of school and escaped an abusive relationship, but he has been lying to his mom about the whole situation, and is feeling completely lost. He's fortunate that his former step-dad loves him like a son and offers their family cabin in the mountains of Colorado as a place for Quinn to stay and get his life in order.
Even though they were step-brothers as teenagers, Jonas has been crazy in love with Quinn for years. Quinn was so grief-stricken over his dad's death when they were kids that he was nearly unreachable, and the only way Jonas could get any reaction out of him at all was to antagonize him. What Quinn never knew was that Jonas was desperately trying to pull him out of the deep hole of grief he was drowning in. After their parents split up, they didn't see each other, and it had been 4 years since they had one awkward but unforgettable kiss under the Christmas tree. When Jonas decides to head up to the family cabin for Christmas a few days early, the last thing he expects to find there is Quinn. It doesn't take long for the spark of attraction between the two to flare into a burning flame.
I adore stories of couples getting snowed in together, and this one was perfect. I loved how Quinn was totally unprepared for the conditions of a snowstorm in the Rockies, but he was still determined to exert his independence. He was going through such a tough time, but he discovered his strength and independence up in the mountains. He learned that Jonas not only respected his wishes, but loved him because of who he was.
Jonas' character stays pretty steady and solid throughout the book, but we get to see Quinn come out of his shell and grow into his own person. He learns to ask for what he needs, in the bedroom with Jonas, and in all other areas of his life; learning that not every guy he meets is controlling and mean like his ex. He goes from being a depressed, beaten down young man, to the brilliant, sassy and strong person he truly is. And though Jonas believed he had been in love with Quinn for all these years, he realizes that true love is a give and take, not a one-sided thing. What he comes to feel for Quinn in the present is real, true love and doesn't hold a candle to what he felt when they were kids. ...more
This book was SO delicious! I love Lauren's writing, and I REALLY loved her first MM book that came out earlier this year, so I was eager to see whethThis book was SO delicious! I love Lauren's writing, and I REALLY loved her first MM book that came out earlier this year, so I was eager to see whether her second MM story would be as good. I really don't know why I wondered. One Time Only was so good I feel like I want to jump right back in and read it again!
Jackson and Stone are SUCH a great couple. Jackson is a surprising character in some ways - he's such a romantic underneath the tough, stoic mask he wears as a bodyguard. And Stone is a fun-loving sweetie; almost exactly what I would imagine a rock star to be like.
Jackson is very risk averse since his most serious relationship was with a professional risk-taker that ended in tragedy. Fabian had never respected the fact that Jackson was concerned for him; he went ahead and took risks anyway. Not only that, but he left Jackson in debt due to his risky lifestyle. Jackson has no intention of taking another risk with his own heart ever again.
But Stone is fearless in ways that are nothing like Fabian was. Stone's risks are of the emotional variety; he puts himself out there and risks rejection. Jackson eventually comes to understand that these are the kinds of risks that can lead to more love and happiness than he could have ever imagined.
One Time Only brings all the steamy love scenes that Lauren is SO good at creating, and it also hit me right in the feels. I LOVED Jackson and Stone. I also loved the family members we get to meet, Jackson's sister Bethany and Stone's brother Zane are both great characters. And finally, the epilogue gives us a glimpse into their happy future together, and it nearly brought tears to my eyes! This book is not to be missed if you love MM romance. I'm so glad Lauren will be bringing us even more MM stories!...more
Andreas and Luca are complete opposites. Luca is quiet, steady, and reliable. He isn't much of a drinker or a partier and he's very close with his lovAndreas and Luca are complete opposites. Luca is quiet, steady, and reliable. He isn't much of a drinker or a partier and he's very close with his loving family. A mechanic and custom car designer and builder with his father's business, he's sometimes lonely but that seems preferable to opening himself up to being hurt.
Andreas is a flighty, promiscuous, twink who, despite having a good job at which he excels, spends his nights getting plastered and more often than not waking up with a stranger. When he wakes up one morning with a shocking set of bruises all over his body, with NO idea how they got there, he starts to think he may be taking enormous chances with his safety. He also realizes that the person he becomes at nights and on weekends is someone he doesn't like very much.
Luca has been watching Andreas at the local bar for a while, but the last person he expects to see when he shows up for a business meeting about an extremely expensive custom car - is Andreas. Both men are somewhat flustered, but they make it through their meeting and then spend the next few weeks dancing around each other.
On Christmas Eve Luca's mischievous little sister commandeers his phone and texts Andreas, setting up a walking date in a torrential downpour The walk turns into spending the night together, which turns into spending Christmas Day together, which turns into being together for weeks. It's like as soon as they are together, they both see that they've found exactly who they've been looking for. And even though they are both terrified of being hurt, and of hurting each other, they muddle through.
Both men have some kinks that may trigger some people, and some of the things they did to each other made me cringe, but it was always very clear that anything that happened between them was entirely consensual on both parts. It might not be my personal taste, but it was interesting and eye opening to read about people who like very different things. And they clearly adore each other, which comes through clearly.
Ship of Fools is an interesting read, and I was fond of the characters, especially Luca. If you're looking for a steamy, edgy read where everything is clearly consensual, definitely give it a try....more
Heather (AllTheJuicyBits)
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