Review: It Might Be Hot by Ariella Zoelle 3 of 5 stars

It Might Be Hot by Ariella Zoelle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alessandro has spent years pining for his best friend Lachlan, hiding real feelings behind jokes while watching him date one gold‑digger after another. After the latest breakup, Lachlan shocks him by asking Alessandro to guide him through his sexual awakening, wanting to explore what he’s been missing. Trying to stay cool while falling apart inside, Alessandro launches Operation Make Him Mine, determined to show he’s more than the funny friend — he’s the man Lachlan could love for real.

I enjoyed this novella, even though its emotional depth was limited — mostly because of the shorter length. It still delivered a solid friends‑to‑lovers arc and a clear bi‑awakening storyline that worked well for the characters. A major focus here is the sexual content between them, which drives much of the plot and their connection. Despite that emphasis, the story remains easy to follow and has a warm, engaging tone. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Blade by Shaw Montgomery 3 of 5 stars

Blade by Shaw Montgomery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Henley sets out to hunt the Beast of Bladenboro, expecting a straightforward monster hunt — no sentient creature, no festival listing, nothing complicated. But things go wrong fast: he gets trapped in his own net, discovers the “monster” isn’t what he thought, and ends up rescuing his mate Blaize from being trapped forever. Along the way he finds his “murder kitty,” falls in love, and realizes his terrible luck might finally be turning around. Fingers crossed.

I was torn with this story as there were parts I genuinely loved and others that pulled me out of the moment. Henley’s rambling conversations with his “murder kitty” were funny and charming, and his relationship with Blaize developed in a sweet, satisfying way. But it also stretched belief at times — especially the idea that someone trapped in animal form for decades could suddenly use the internet, learn how to be a Dom, restart his life, and be wealthy. Those leaps made the story feel uneven. Still, I did enjoy it overall. The mix of humour, affection, and paranormal chaos kept things engaging, and the emotional beats were easy to feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content and BSDM-like D/s behaviours.

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Review: Hunt Me by E.M. Lindsey by Cora Rose 5 of 5 stars

Hunt Me by E.M. Lindsey by Cora Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Denver, a Deaf drag performer, is dealing with a returning stalker, but this time a dangerous, magnetic stranger, Archie, steps in, knocks the stalker flat, kisses him breathless, and disappears. Soon Archie is everywhere Denver turns, hunting him with an intensity that feels like twisted affection and Denver realizes he might actually be into it. With the stalker still lurking, Denver leans into Archie’s dark, protective devotion, determined to fight for his own happily ever after.

I loved this story where the undeniable connection between Denver and Archie shines from the very beginning, and the threat from Denver’s stalker adds a great layer of suspense throughout. Archie is such a complex, fascinating character, with his autism, his fixation on coffins and funeral flowers, and that intense, protective devotion that makes him the perfect match for Denver. The introduction of Archie’s wider family was another highlight; they’re integral to the plot and add depth to the world around the two men. I also appreciated how Deaf characters were fully normalised, including the moments of prejudice that were handled with honesty rather than glossed over. The story is packed with emotion, easy to feel and understand, and there were definitely moments when I wanted to hug Denver and reassure him, even when I wasn’t sure everything would turn out okay. The suspense builds beautifully, and the final sections keep you right on the edge of your seat. I’m genuinely excited for the next book in the series. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Be My Ruin by Davidson King 5 of 5 stars

Be My Ruin by Davidson King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gideon’s hard‑won empire shatters, forcing him to fight for his power, his twins, and Penn. Penn, who feels no pain or fear, begins to wonder if the cold dread creeping in might actually be fear as danger threatens the life he’s built. Their world crumbles around them, enemies close in, and their once‑bright love is pushed to its limits. When the final shot is fired, it may cost them everything.

This was a deeply emotional story, with Gideon and Penn facing a new threat that cut far deeper than anyone expected. Through all the chaos, their love stayed bright and steady as they worked to uncover who was targeting their wider family and handled each blow the best way they could. I especially loved how protective Penn was of the twins, doing everything in his power to keep them safe. There were moments when I wanted to hug these characters and tell them it would all be okay — even though I genuinely didn’t know if that would be true by the end. The story is packed with action, and the final sections keep you right on the edge of your seat as the danger intensifies. A gripping, emotional continuation of their journey. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note that you need to read book one in the series first.

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Review: All That Remains by Juniper Skye 2 of 5 stars

All That Remains by Juniper Skye
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Nathan Warner, burdened by his powerful kinetic Gift and his father’s expectations, finds freedom only with his best friend Will Savea — a rare Blank raised in a loving Gifted family. Their friendship becomes a fated bond after a single kiss, meant to last forever. But catastrophe tears them apart, and the bond fades. When they’re reunited, everything stands in their way: Will believes the bond broke for a reason, Nathan’s father keeps interfering, and the Savea family is hiding a secret that could change everything. It becomes a question of whether love can survive a broken fated bond.

I came away disappointed with this one. The premise promised a rich, emotional story, but the book didn’t deliver the depth I expected. So many important details were missing — especially around Nathan’s therapy, which was mentioned but never explored, leaving big gaps in his emotional journey. I also struggled with how much focus there was on food and drink instead of the events, thoughts, and feelings that should have driven the story. The blurb suggested something far more layered and impactful, but the actual narrative felt thin in comparison. A great concept, but ultimately the story didn’t live up to what it promised. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Boss and Brat by Brina Brady 4 of 5 stars

Boss and Brat by Brina Brady

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ethan Evans has spent his life doing what others expect — working the ranch, hiding who he is, and carrying his parents’ disappointment. After failing out of college, he ends up living in the barn under the strict eye of Carter Higgins, the new ranch boss with a quiet authority and a past he won’t discuss. As they clash and circle each other in the heat of Foggy Basin, their connection becomes impossible to ignore. Neither planned on wanting the other, but the pull between them grows fast.

This story was rich with emotion, showing real care in how it portrayed both Ethan’s struggle with his past and family expectations and Carter’s dilemma of falling for someone he was meant to protect. I loved how they were drawn to each other from the start, and how trust slowly built between them until the ranch became a place where feelings could finally grow instead of being shut down. Carter’s protectiveness was one of my favourite parts — the way he shielded Ethan from people who hurt him, physically and mentally, made their connection feel even more meaningful. There were a couple of surprises along the way, and the ending was especially satisfying. The story carried big emotions throughout, all written with clarity and warmth, making their journey easy to feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Concentration Play by Katherine McIntyre 4 of 5 stars

Concentration Play by Katherine McIntyre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nolan’s new roommate, James, is his boss’s ex and a widower still grieving his husband. James hopes returning to San Francisco will help him heal, but living with Nolan only stirs feelings he isn’t ready to face. Nolan, who’s sworn off love because of his OCD and past heartbreak, is drawn to James immediately — even though James is off‑limits. When a new club threatens Whipped, the two are forced to work together, and their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. Both men are still fragile, and one wrong move could break them instead of bringing them closer.

This story handled grief and OCD with real care, never making light of the struggles both men faced. I loved how Nolan and James were drawn to each other from the start, and how their relationship only stood a chance because they took the time to truly learn one another, their needs, their boundaries, and their aligned kinks. The mystery surrounding the threat against Whipped added a great layer of tension, and the unfolding danger kept the story exciting. The eventual reveal and resolution were satisfying and gave the emotional journey extra weight. There were a lot of emotions throughout, all written with clarity and sensitivity, making them easy to connect with and understand. A heartfelt, layered story that blends healing, attraction, and suspense beautifully. This was an MM story with mature content and BDSM-like dynamics.

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