Review: Bedtime Stories by Raquel Riley 3 of 5 stars

Bedtime Stories : A DD/lb MM Romance by Raquel Riley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Oren finds comfort in late‑night online chats with Keane, a steady “Daddy” voice who gives him rules and reassurance. What begins as harmless guidance quickly turns into something deeper for both of them. Keane tries to keep boundaries, but Oren’s shy honesty makes that nearly impossible. When they unexpectedly meet at a weekend retreat, one look and one soft “Daddy” make every rule they set feel breakable. Oren wants to trust him. Keane wants to protect him. And their chemistry threatens to burn through every line they drew.

This story had such a strong, compelling connection between Oren and Keane, and I loved how that bond deepened as the stakes rose. From their first late‑night messages, there’s a tenderness and protectiveness in the way Keane speaks to Oren — a steady, grounding presence that only grows stronger once they meet in person. Keane’s organised, lawyer‑mindset becomes one of the most powerful parts of the story. It’s not just structure for the sake of rules; it’s how he shows care. When Oren later needs real support, Keane steps in with calm, capable certainty, proving exactly what a Daddy should be for someone as vulnerable and earnest as Oren. The chemistry between them is intense, but it’s the emotional safety, the trust, and the fierce protectiveness that make their dynamic shine. A passionate, heartfelt read with a beautifully drawn Daddy/boy connection. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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Review: London Fog by E.M. Lindsey 4 of 5 stars

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

Wren, co‑owner of the BrewBiz Deaf Café, lives by three rules: no relationships, no commitments, no complications. But those rules fall apart the moment Percy — newly arrived from the UK — literally stumbles into his life. One night together is enough to shake Wren to his core, leaving him wanting more despite everything he swears he doesn’t do. Panicked by feelings he doesn’t understand, Wren pushes Percy away and breaks his heart. Regret hits immediately, and with the help of his found family, Wren begins to realise he doesn’t have to fit into a box or deny himself what he wants. Now he just has to apologise, hope Percy will listen, and pray it isn’t too late to make things right.

This was such an emotional, passionate story, and Wren’s journey is what truly made it shine. From the moment he and Percy collide, the connection between them is undeniable — electric, tender, and impossible for either of them to ignore. Watching Wren fight those feelings, then slowly unravel and confront the parts of himself he’s always avoided, was incredibly moving. His path toward self‑discovery is messy and painful, but it’s also hopeful. With the support of his found family, he learns he doesn’t have to fit into rigid rules or labels to deserve love. That growth is what finally allows him to reach for Percy in a way that feels honest and real. The story is full of big emotions, vulnerability, and heat, and the bond between Wren and Percy is beautifully written. Their pull toward each other, even through fear and mistakes, makes their eventual happiness feel deeply earned. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Vigilant by Cora Rose by Lark Taylor 5 of 5 stars

Vigilant by Cora Rose by Lark Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wylder lives by control—protecting his family, suppressing his own darkness, and keeping every part of his life predictable. But Neo shatters that stability. He’s the one temptation Wylder can’t ignore, the one variable he can’t manage. As danger closes in, Wylder finds himself drawn to Neo in ways that feel less like losing control… and more like falling in love.

A gripping, character‑driven romance that hooked me from page one.  What I loved most was the irresistible pull between Wylder and Neo—no matter how hard Wylder clung to control, Neo slipped past every one of his defences. Their connection feels magnetic, dangerous, and completely inevitable. Neo is such a beautifully layered character. Beneath the chaos and bravado is someone deeply insecure and painfully sensitive, and watching Wylder slowly recognise and respond to that vulnerability was one of my favourite parts of the book. Over time, every wall Wylder built around himself is stripped away, and the shift from rigid control to genuine emotional surrender is incredibly satisfying. And I have to say—the incident with Candace and the dye? Absolutely deserved and absolutely perfect. A fantastic addition to the series, full of tension, heart, and two men who never stood a chance of resisting each other. This was an MM story with mature content.

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

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

Caleb’s thriving Deaf‑owned café can’t distract him from the disaster of his love life, especially after his ex cheats, dumps him in public, and turns him into a viral humiliation. Bitter and closed off, he convinces himself he doesn’t deserve anything good—least of all Bodhi, the anxious, sweet new hire he’s been unfairly cold toward from day one. Bodhi, though, has his own quiet strength and a past that explains far more than Caleb realises. As they grow closer, he shows Caleb a gentler kind of love: one without conditions, pressure, or expectations. Their connection becomes a chance for Caleb to heal and believe in a real happily ever after.

The story is packed with emotion from the opening chapter to the final page, and both Caleb and Bodhi bring a depth that makes their journey feel incredibly real. Caleb is still reeling from a humiliating public breakup, trying to rebuild his confidence while navigating the unexpected pull he feels toward Bodhi. At the same time, Bodhi is struggling with his limited ASL, past trauma, and the challenges of being autistic in a world that often misunderstands him. Their connection grows through small moments of trust, care, and vulnerability, and the way Caleb supports Bodhi — gently, patiently, and with genuine respect — gives the romance a beautiful tenderness. The story also offers meaningful insight into Deaf culture and the everyday realities Deaf people face, adding richness to the emotional arc. The feelings between them are vivid and easy to understand, making their slow, heartfelt bond one of the most compelling parts of the book. It’s a love story full of warmth, healing, and the kind of emotional honesty that lingers. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Counterpoint by Declan Rhodes 5 of 5 stars

Counterpoint by Declan Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A powerful New Orleans conductor receives a handwritten funeral march warning that someone from his past wants him dead. Dominic St. Clair hires protection, bringing former Army Ranger Thiago into his music‑filled home — and into constant friction with Luca, Dominic’s fiercely loyal assistant. As threats escalate into break‑ins and near‑attacks, Thiago and Luca are forced into close proximity, uncovering a decades‑old grudge while fighting an inconvenient attraction. Everything builds toward Dominic’s final concert, where the attacker plans a public reckoning, and Thiago and Luca must trust each other if they hope to save him — and risk choosing a future together.

I loved this story. The pull between Luca and Thiago is undeniable from the moment they’re forced into each other’s orbit, and that simmering tension threads beautifully through the entire story. Their connection feels raw and real, shaped by two very different lives but drawn together by the same fierce need to protect Dominic as danger closes in. The suspense is wonderfully handled, each new threat tightening the atmosphere and guiding me toward the truth behind the plot without ever giving too much away. The emotional stakes are just as high as the physical ones — grief, loyalty, fear, longing, and hope all collide in ways that feel deeply human and skillfully written. What stood out most was how their growing bond is woven into the unfolding mystery rather than overshadowing it. The tenderness between them, the guarded vulnerability, and the slow shift from distrust to something much deeper made their relationship feel fully earned. I loved how eccentric Dominic was and yet he was very capable of love and affection for those important to him. A gripping blend of tension, emotion, and connection that kept me invested in both the danger and the love story at its heart. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Lost in Indigo by V.L. Locey 4 of 5 stars

Lost in Indigo by V.L. Locey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a career-ending injury sidelines hockey captain Mathieu at the peak of his success, he retreats home consumed by anger and loss. When Indigo, a gentle and supportive botany student, comes to care for him, an unexpected connection forms—helping Mathieu heal and discover that losing his path might lead to something better.

This was such an emotional read, centering on Mathieu at a major crossroads—not just with his hockey career after his injury, but also with his sexuality and sense of self. Watching him struggle felt raw and real, especially as his lies pile up until they cost him the one person who truly mattered, leaving him with nothing. The pull between Mathieu and Indigo is undeniable, full of intensity and vulnerability that makes every moment between them feel significant. Their connection is deeply emotional, and I loved how much heart the story brought to their journey. That said, Mathieu’s repeated mixed signals could be frustrating at times. The contrast between him defending Indigo in one moment—like standing up against disrespect—and then turning around to suppress Indigo’s individuality and deny their relationship made his actions feel conflicting. Still, those flaws added to the realism of his character and the weight of his growth. A messy, heartfelt story filled with big emotions and a powerful connection. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Cover Up by E.M. Lindsey 4 of 5 stars

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

Felix is pining for his next-door neighbour, Deimos, but his face blindness makes him think no one would want a relationship with him. When Felix has to go to his grammy’s funeral, Deimos offers to pose as his fake boyfriend—yet the “pretend” quickly turns real.

This story is all about an undeniable pull between two damaged men who fall for each other—despite both believing they don’t deserve love. Watching them slowly let someone in (and learn to trust it) was heartbreaking and beautiful. They don’t just find each other, they grow through the pain, and finally realise that being together is what matters most. Packed with lots of emotions and feelings, it’s a deeply satisfying love story about healing, hope, and second chances. This was an MM story with mature content.

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