Review: It Started with a Text by Jax Calder 4 of 5 stars

It Started with a Text by Jax Calder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nick never expects anything serious to come from a snarky viral video he makes about his celebrity crush, pop star Anthony Devine. So when someone claiming to be Anthony slides into his DMs, Nick assumes it’s just a catfish. But their conversations quickly become the best part of his day — funny, honest, and surprisingly intimate. After a month of nonstop messaging, Nick is falling hard for a guy whose real identity he still doubts. Meeting could ruin everything… or prove that the man behind the screen really is the superstar he’s been crushing on. It Started with a Text is a sweet, modern novella about unexpected connection, online chemistry, and the possibility that the “catfish” might actually be the real deal.

This was such a fun, charming read. The humour between Nick and AntD absolutely made the story — that video recreating the pretentious apartment tour had me laughing out loud. Their banter was sharp and playful, but what really won me over were the deeper conversations they shared about emotions, trust, and past hurt. For a novella, it packed a surprising amount of heart. Their connection felt effortless, growing from jokes and memes into something meaningful and sweet. Add in the modern twist of maybe‑catfishing, maybe‑not, and it becomes a delightful blend of tension and hope. A light, funny, heartfelt story with a satisfying HEA. I enjoyed every minute. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: House of Cards by Courtney W. Dixon 5 of 5 stars

House of Cards by Courtney W. Dixon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calvin Abernathy is perfectly content with his no‑strings, no‑kids lifestyle — until a tragic accident leaves him the guardian of his friends’ grieving fourteen‑year‑old son. Completely out of his depth, he turns to his hot, infuriating neighbor Seth for help. Seth has always thought Calvin was a jerk, even if an annoyingly attractive one, but he agrees to step in for the boy’s sake. As the two men grow closer, their friendship starts to blur into something deeper, complicating Seth’s new relationship and forcing him to confront what — and who — he really wants. When red flags appear with Seth’s boyfriend, the choice becomes clear: it’s Calvin he trusts, and Calvin he’s falling for.

This story had such a strong, undeniable pull between Calvin and Seth — the kind of connection that only grows deeper as their lives and families slowly merge. Watching them navigate everything from Seth’s increasingly troubling boyfriend situation to Calvin suddenly becoming guardian to Braeden added so many rich layers to their relationship. The emotional stakes were high, and every feeling was beautifully described and easy to connect with. I loved how their bond shifted from irritation to friendship to something much more meaningful, all while juggling kids, grief, healing, and the messy realities of starting over. Braeden’s storyline in particular brought so much heart, grounding Calvin in ways he never expected. A heartfelt, emotional read, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes next. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: To Touch the Light by E.M. Lindsey 4 of 5 stars

To Touch the Light by E.M. Lindsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mario Garcia, a lonely, overworked head chef with no holiday spirit, has only one soft spot: Viktor Popov, the half‑blind Russian dishwasher hiding a mysterious past. Viktor once lived a life of privilege but now keeps to the shadows, hoping no one notices his failing eyesight or his secrets. When Mario pulls him out of the cold one night and shows him genuine care, both men begin to realise that, despite their hard lives, they might be exactly what the other needs — especially under the gentle glow of the menorah.

This was a beautifully tender story built on a deep, undeniable connection between two men who both live outside what most people would call “normal.” What really stood out to me was the respect they showed each other from the very beginning — a quiet, steady recognition of the other’s worth, even when neither of them fully believed in their own. Their love and passion felt genuine and hard‑won, and I adored watching them slowly let themselves hope again. The emotional intimacy between them was wonderfully written, and it was easy to feel every moment of longing, fear, and warmth. I only wish we’d learned a bit more about Viktor’s past before he was forced to leave, especially something as simple as his surname. Still, their relationship was heartfelt and compelling, and I loved seeing them find exactly what they needed in each other. This was an XM story with mature content.

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Review: Mutual Obsession by Aurora Crane 4 of 5 stars

Mutual Obsession by Aurora Crane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hunter and Xavier share a powerful, complicated bond — once in love, now tied only by their daughter and the fallout of a painful mistake. Xavier has spent years hoping for forgiveness, while Hunter tries and fails to keep his distance. When a second chance finally appears, new danger rises with it. Miles, Xavier’s lifelong protector, will do anything to help him heal, and Matthew is unexpectedly pulled into their world after one disastrous date. Drawn to all three men, he’s torn between fear and fascination. Together, the four of them must navigate old wounds, new threats, and an intense, inevitable connection that could either remake them… or break them.

The pull between all four men is impossible to ignore — intense, magnetic, and clearly building toward something much bigger once circumstances finally allow it. Hunter and Xavier, especially, show just how thin the line between love and hate can be, their history crackling through every interaction. Miles remains an intriguing enigma, steady and unreadable, while Matthew brings such warmth and brightness that he shifts the entire dynamic the moment he steps in. The emotional layers between them all were easy to feel and understand, and the potential for their combined relationship is incredibly compelling. I’m genuinely excited to see where their story goes next. This was an MMMM story with mature content.

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Review: The Hazard and the Hitman by Cambria Hebert 3 of 5 stars

The Hazard and the Hitman by Cambria Hebert
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Haz just wants out of the hospital, but his attempt to find a fake boyfriend on a dating app goes horribly wrong. When he tries to escape on his own, he nearly runs into Kieran — a gorgeous, grumpy stranger who suddenly pretends to be his boyfriend… and turns out to be the rude guy from the app. One accidental rescue turns into soup at Kieran’s place, unexpected chemistry, and feelings Haz definitely didn’t plan on. But when Haz’s apartment is broken into and he’s forced to flee, Kieran steps in with skills far too intense for a supposed real‑estate agent. As the danger escalates, Haz has to decide whether trusting Kieran will save him — or put him in even more danger.

This had a definite instalove vibe, with an immediate pull between the two men that neither of them could really resist. Their chemistry was strong from the start, even if the story itself sometimes felt a bit chaotic. Since this is the expanded version of the Heart2Heart Vol. 8 novella, I’m not sure the extra length improved it — the pacing wobbled in places. That said, I have to admit that Ghost completely stole the show for me. He was the standout character and added a spark the main couple didn’t always manage to hold on their own. Overall, a fast, emotional read with a compelling connection at its core. This was an MM story with mature content. Please note the content warnings and be kind to yourself.

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Review: Scarification by E.M. Lindsey 4 of 5 stars

Scarification by E.M. Lindsey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Miguel Ruiz believes his future is gone — he’s lost his dominant hand, his face is scarred, and he’s stuck working in a rundown club. Everything changes when a tattoo artist recognizes his talent and offers him a real chance to start over. Amit Baqri, bisexual, Deaf, and femme, has spent his life hiding parts of himself to survive within his conservative Muslim family while caring for his mother and sisters. Meeting Miguel — the scarred artist with a quiet strength — turns his world upside down. As their connection deepens, both men must confront the weight of their pasts and the expectations trapping them, hoping they can break free and build something real together.

This was such a beautifully emotional story. Miguel and Amit’s connection is powerful from the start — two men carrying very different challenges, yet unable to resist the pull toward each other. Their chemistry feels both gentle and intense, and I loved how naturally their bond grew despite the weight of their pasts. The portrayal of their disabilities was especially well done: factual, respectful, and deeply human. It made their individual struggles — and their moments of joy — incredibly easy to feel and understand. I found myself emphasising so strongly with both of them, especially as they navigated family expectations, identity, and healing. I was genuinely thrilled to see everything work out not just for them, but for the people around them too. A heartfelt, moving read. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Hot Axe by May Archer 4 of 5 stars

Hot Axe by May Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ames has been secretly in love with his best friend Robbie for years, even though Robbie is straight, engaged, and completely off‑limits. Everyone in their small town sees them as a pair, but Ames has always kept his feelings buried deep. After a dangerous fire and an injury, a heavily medicated Ames accidentally confesses everything — and suddenly Robbie is the one caring for him, staying close, and blurring every line between friendship and something more. As unexpected sparks start to fly, Ames struggles to protect their lifelong bond, terrified that believing in something real could cost him the person he loves most.

This story was packed with danger, drama, and a whole lot of emotion. The connection between Ames and Robbie was so strong that it felt inevitable they’d end up together — they just needed the chaos of the fire to finally shake Robbie into realising what had been in his heart all along. Watching their lifelong bond shift into something deeper was incredibly satisfying, especially with all the tension and feelings swirling around them. Every moment was well described and easy to feel, from the high‑stakes rescue to the quieter, more vulnerable scenes afterward. A heartfelt, emotional read that kept me fully invested. This was an MM story with mature content.

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