Review: Love at First Fright by T.J. Rose 4 of 5 stars

Love at First Fright by T.J. Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Charlie joins ExorSquad thinking it’s a scam, but Grimthorne Manor quickly proves otherwise — strange music at 3am, drifting dust motes, terrified locals, and a basement everyone avoids. His partner Brad is awful to work with, and Charlie’s certainty that ghosts aren’t real starts to crumble. Meanwhile Bat, one of the manor’s many ghosts, has spent years scaring people away. But Charlie’s gentle presence and unexpected musical talent make Bat want to protect him instead — especially from whatever lurks in the basement. And Brad? He might be looking a little too possessable.

This was a crazy, fun ride through a wonderfully chaotic old English manor and the ghosts who call it home. Some spirits were genuinely dangerous, but most were quirky, friendly, and full of personality, which made the haunting feel more playful than frightening. I loved the relationship between Bat and Charlie — sweet, strange, and unexpectedly tender. Bat’s choices about who to possess were often hilarious, though occasionally questionable, adding to the wild charm of the story. The ending was enjoyable, even if a bit too convenient, wrapping things up neatly after all the chaos. Overall, a fun, ghost‑filled adventure with plenty of charm and mischief. This was an MM story.

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Review: Nicks and Cuts by T.J. Nichols 3 of 5 stars

Nicks and Cuts by T.J. Nichols
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dante, a guarded knife maker back in Foggy Basin after a career‑ending injury, keeps everyone at arm’s length. Shannon arrives in town needing a fresh start, and Dante becomes a temptation he can’t resist. Their first hookup shouldn’t have happened, but the second comes easily as Shannon pushes forward and Dante hesitates, afraid of being hurt again.

This was a nice story, but it definitely felt like something was missing, and the ending came with a sudden, almost jarring 180‑degree shift that didn’t quite land for me. I did enjoy the quieter moments — the cooking for each other, and Shannon’s habit of eating leftovers for lunch — those small domestic touches added warmth. The epilogue, though, didn’t feel far enough into the future to really count as one, which added to the sense of an abrupt finish. Overall, this was a disappointing addition to the Foggy Basin series, even if a few character interactions still brought some charm. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Love Comes to Light by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Love Comes to Light by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Arik, struggling after a severe hand injury, goes to Pleasanton to work with Ken Brighton and meets Reg Thompson — a huge biker with a gentle heart. Arik slowly looks past Reg’s intimidating exterior, but when he discovers some of Reg’s club members are involved in drugs, the same world that caused his injury, he pulls away. Reg only understands why once the truth comes out, and both men must face the dangerous direction the club is heading.

This was a story full of emotion and vulnerability, especially as Arik struggled with his hand injury, the impact on his painting career, and his growing feelings for Reg Thompson. Reg was an absolute teddy bear — steady, emotionally aware, and wonderfully gentle in every interaction. As the story went on, I found myself increasingly frustrated with Arik. He hadn’t truly tried to heal or adapt after his injury, and instead seemed to give up entirely. His massive chip on his shoulder and his complete shutdown after discovering the drug connection felt immature and made him harder to sympathize with. Still, there were moments I really enjoyed, especially the interactions within the wider circle of characters. Patrick was a standout — his observations and advice added warmth, clarity, and a much‑needed grounding presence. A story with strong emotional threads, even if much of it leaned toward a more clinical tone. This was an MM story with mature content. I rounded my review value as it was the 4 side of 3.

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Review: Hollywood by D.J. Jamison 4 of 5 stars

Hollywood by D.J. Jamison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hollywood becomes an unexpected single dad when his ex is injured, finally getting the chance to bond with his daughter, Ruby. His former best friend — and almost‑love — Tex steps in to help, quickly becoming essential to both of them. As Tex settles into their lives, old feelings resurface, but Hollywood fears Tex might run again. Now Hollywood must figure out whether Tex is truly ready to stay and love them both.

This was such a sweet, heart‑warming story, centred on a bright little girl and two best friends learning how to reconnect and redefine what they mean to each other. I loved watching them figure out new ways to get along as their relationships shifted and deepened. The men on Redemption Road were wonderfully supportive, creating a warm, steady backdrop that made the themes of trust and honesty shine even more. So many feelings run through this book, all clearly expressed and easy to connect with, making the emotional journey feel genuine and satisfying. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: The Devils in the Details by Aja Foxx 4 of 5 stars

The Devils in the Details by Aja Foxx
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ari fights to rebuild his family’s power after Geno’s downfall, cutting out the old guard and proving he can lead. His connection with Zephyr grows fast and dangerously, even as Ari worries about the target it puts on Zephyr. When his uncle Alexios and cousin Theo challenge him, and Theo’s obsession with Zephyr turns threatening, Ari shows just how ruthless he can be to protect what’s his.

This was a dramatic, fast‑moving story as Ari took control of the Romano family while Zephyr helped him — and several powerful families — trace and sometimes retrieve suspicious financial transactions. I loved their dynamic: Ari thinking best with his lighter in hand, and Zephyr fuelled almost entirely by caramel sweets. The danger and tension throughout were easy to feel and understand, giving the whole book a sharp, high‑stakes atmosphere. It did feel like the author wrote this one a little differently than usual as it was more clinical, more strategic and less emotional but I still enjoyed the ride. Ari not marrying Zephyr near the end surprised me, though their connection remained strong. There were emotions and feelings woven through the story, even if much of it leaned toward cool precision rather than warmth. A dramatic, intriguing read with a compelling central pair. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: The Dragon's Accidental Manny by Colbie Dunbar 3 of 5 stars

The Dragon's Accidental Manny by Colbie Dunbar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Can accidentally lands a live‑in job and a home when Price's young son Jack opens the  door. He quickly falls for Price’s three warm‑to‑the‑touch kids (Jack, Isla, Bea) and for the man himself, not realizing they’re all dragon shifters hiding their secret behind leather bracelets and careful stories. As feelings grow, Can discovers he’s exactly where he’s meant to be — in a house full of love, fire, and fated mates.

This was such a sweet, warm story, especially because Cam fell for the children long before he fell for Price. Their chaotic charm and affection made every scene with them shine, and I loved all the close shaves Cam had with discovering the truth — and the dramatic moments when everything finally came out. The way they slowly became a family was lovely to watch, even if I did feel the romance between Cam and Price needed a bit more affection to feel fully believable. Still, the heart of the story (the kids, the growing trust, the gentle emotions) worked beautifully. A tender, fire‑kissed tale full of feelings, family, and the kind of love that sneaks up on you. This was an MM story with mature content and MPREG.

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Review: Love Comes Unheard by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Love Comes Unheard by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Garrett finally finds belonging with a family who signs, and quickly forms a deep bond with Wilson, the guarded Brit whose heart he unexpectedly reaches. Wilson is moved by Garrett’s gentle support of Janey, Connor and Dan’s deaf daughter, but trouble arrives when Wilson’s brother Reggie shows up with dangerous men demanding money. As threats escalate, Garrett and Wilson must rely on their growing love and the strength of the family around them to survive.

This story was full of emotion from beginning to end, all clearly written and easy to feel right alongside the characters. I loved the relationships within this big, blended family — every bond, every moment of found‑family warmth, every protective instinct. Garrett and Wilson shared such meaningful similarities in how their own families had failed them, and watching them slowly trust each other was one of the highlights of the book. I especially appreciated how Dan did everything he could to shield them all from the trouble Reggie dragged in, standing firm for the people he loves. The feelings between Garrett and Wilson were strong and beautifully handled, and Garrett’s doubts were completely understandable and added depth to their journey. A lovely, heartfelt ending — absolutely perfect for them both. This was an MM story with mature content.

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