Review: Trinket in the Thyme by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Trinket in the Thyme by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Doreen investigates a break‑in that leads to the suspicious death of Roger Bennington, uncovering lost jewellery and long‑buried family secrets. Despite promising Mack she’d stay out of police business, she teams up with her quirky grandmother, rebellious seniors, and her animal companions to track down a cunning killer. Sometimes the most dangerous secrets are closest to home.

A great mystery from start to finish, this story pulls you straight into the investigation surrounding Roger’s untimely death and the surprising link to the jewellery Doreen discovers in a thyme bush. As always, the residents of the care home jump in to “help,” and Doreen’s loyal animal companions stay right at the centre, protecting her as she follows each clue. Even though Doreen promised Mack she’d stay out of the official case, she clearly couldn’t resist diving in — and thank goodness, because the twists and turns make for a gripping read. A wonderfully engaging mystery that takes you along with Doreen every step of the way. This was an MF story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Review: The Doctor's Wish by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

The Doctor's Wish by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dr. Jackson Burnside, an orthopedic surgeon who built a successful life in Carlisle after escaping his unsupportive family in Natchez, crosses paths with Wes Fortier when Wes is admitted to the ER for a workplace injury. Having briefly known each other before, their renewed connection quickly deepens into a powerful attraction and unspoken love, with both men finally finding what they've been missing. However, just as they begin building a future together, Jackson's mother arrives in town under the guise of reconciliation, bringing a hidden agenda that threatens to shatter their new happiness.

I loved this sweet, emotional novella! It has such a lovely friends-to-lovers arc as Jackson and Wes reconnect and rebuild their bond after crossing paths again in the ER. Their chemistry and the depth of their growing connection are palpable from the start. One of my absolute favourite moments was when Jackson's mother showed up with her hidden agenda, and Wes stepped right up to fiercely defend him. The entire story is packed with raw emotions and genuine feelings that are so easy to connect with and understand, making it a deeply satisfying read from beginning to end. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: The Goalie in Room 1 by Sara Hurst 4 of 5 stars

The Goalie in Room 1 by Sara Hurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cash, a former hockey player with a career-ending knee injury, gets one last chance when renowned surgeon Dr. Thaddeus Vale agrees to operate. During his long recovery at Halo House, Cash unexpectedly falls for the intimidating silver-fox doctor—and discovers a future beyond hockey.

I absolutely loved this story! Cash was such a bratty middle, and Thad was the perfect talented surgeon and Daddy to handle him. Their slow-burn relationship was everything—I loved that it took time for all the emotions and feelings between them to develop, making their HEA feel even more satisfying. And I loved seeing Cash get a fresh start and discover a new career that was absolutely perfect for him. A sweet, emotional story with a lovely HEA that left me smiling. This was an MM story with mature content and a a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.

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Review: To Protect by Andrew Grey 5 of 5 stars

To Protect by Andrew Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Atlas De Vaus, a Carlisle K-9 officer, and his dog Evie discover undocumented immigrants being smuggled in a semitrailer during a traffic stop. While local shelters take in the women, Atlas steps in to house the lone male survivor, Bazel, to keep him safe from the system. Bazel Dadiani fled his home country of Georgia after being outed by his family and village, draining his savings to reach America. Though deeply afraid and struggling to trust an authority figure like Atlas, Bazel is slowly won over by Atlas and Evie, eventually developing unexpected feelings for the officer. As the two men grow closer and edge toward helping catch the human traffickers, rigid government red tape suddenly threatens to tear them apart permanently.

This story was full of emotion, starting right out of the gate with the  drama of finding hidden undocumented immigrants during a traffic stop. From there, it transitioned into a deeply moving journey as Atlas gave Bazel a home, and we got to watch their relationship slowly and tenderly develop. One of the most touching highlights was the bond between Bazel and Atlas's K-9 partner, Evie. The way Evie instinctively comforted and protected Bazel melted my heart. I also  appreciated how respectful Atlas was—he went out of his way to ensure Bazel never felt pressured or beholden into a physical relationship just because he was living under Atlas's roof. The supporting cast is great too, especially Chris the social worker, who was an absolute rockstar doing everything she could to help Bazel navigate the system and guide Atlas along the way. On top of the romance, the human trafficking investigation added a layer of intense drama as dangerous people tried to track Bazel down to silence him. It was a gripping, high-stakes, and deeply emotional story about finding safety, trust, and love in the most unexpected places. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Beach Bats by Athena Steller 4 of 5 stars

Beach Bats: A PAHL Summer Short by Athena Steller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The hockey season is over, but the paranormal players of the Paranormal American Hockey League (PAHL) bring their signature chaos to Hawaii for the offseason. The trip features three main couples enjoying summer adventures: Aries embracing his little side with Daddy Vin, anxious Nix slowing down only when held by Evan (otherwise causing trouble), and Gem getting Luka all to himself to experience the true meaning of family. Accompanied by friends like Zany and Robbs—who are hiding a secret—along with Lithis, Marlin, and Thomas, the group spends their vacation surfing, cave diving, and diving into tropical chaos.

This novella was such a fun and wonderful read! I loved following the triplets and their partners off to Hawaii for their summer holidays. It was so much fun getting to see them all together as a chaotic group, while still taking the time to focus on their sweet, individual relationships. As usual, Nix was right at the centre of all the mischief, frequently dragging his brothers into whatever wild trouble he cooked up. Plus, the little teasers about whatever is going on between Zany and Robbs had me completely intrigued! It’s a fun read packed with plenty of laughs, beach adventures, and just the right touch of heart and emotion throughout. This was an MM story with mature content and some elements of BDSM-like dynamics including DDLB and D/s.

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Review: Fire and Iron by Andrew Grey 5 of 5 stars

Fire and Iron by Andrew Grey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Former childhood neighbours Fillian, a state trooper from a poor but loving home, and Gregory, an electrician from a wealthy but cold family, reunite when Fillian responds to a call at Gregory’s house. As an unexpected attraction sparks between them, Fillian's stability helps balance Gregory's struggles raising his niece and nephew. However, new family crises threaten to either tear them apart or solidify their bond.

I absolutely loved this book, and I am so sad to see this amazing series come to an end! The story kicks off with such an explosive start—reuniting former neighbours Fillian and Gregory after an attempted assault and an explosion—and it never lets go of the tension. One of my favorite aspects was how completely Fillian accepted Gregory's new life. He understood right away that loving Gregory meant loving Weston and Marnie, too, after the tragic accident that took their parents. Their blended dynamics and Fillian's devotion were so heartwarming. The ongoing mystery of who was targeting Gregory kept me completely hooked, but the final reveal was truly heartbreaking once everything was solved. The entire book was packed with rich, clear emotions and deep feelings that were so easy to read and understand. A deeply moving, gripping, and emotional conclusion to a wonderful series. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Color Blind by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Color Blind by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mason Fullerton, a blind man determined to gain independence, gets a job despite his mother's concerns. At the interview, he meets Tyrone Phillips, a shy computer enthusiast who feels he doesn't live up to his parents' expectations. When Mason is hired, Ty helps him settle in, and their friendship gradually grows into romance. Together, they navigate personal insecurities, family prejudice, and their growing feelings as they discover they may be meant for each other.

I really enjoyed this story, even if it wasn't quite my favourite from this author. What stood out most was Mase's journey towards independence. As a blind man, he's constantly fighting for the chance to make his own choices and build a life on his own terms, while his mother's overprotectiveness often borders on trying to hold him back. That struggle felt emotional and realistic, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way. I also loved Mase and Ty together. Ty's quiet, thoughtful care for Mase was lovely to read, and their relationship developed at a gentle pace that felt natural and heartfelt. Watching them build trust, friendship, and eventually something deeper was definitely the highlight of the book for me. The story is packed with emotion, and I enjoyed the way both characters dealt with their insecurities, family expectations, and the challenges of opening their hearts to someone else. That emotional depth kept me invested throughout. My main criticism was some of the language choices. There were moments where the terminology felt a little questionable or dated, and I found myself wondering whether certain descriptions, particularly concerning Black hair, felt authentic. Overall, this was a sweet, emotional romance with two genuinely likeable characters and a strong focus on personal growth and acceptance. While it didn't reach the same heights as some of this author's other books for me, I still found it an enjoyable and heartfelt read and was glad to spend time with Mase and Ty's story. This was an MM story with mature content.

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