Review: The Liar in Room 5 by Kerry Kilpatrick 4 of 5 stars

The Liar in Room 5 by Kerry Kilpatrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andrew arrives at Halo House after yet another breakup, realising he’s spent years becoming whatever each boyfriend wanted. Then he meets Henry Mercer — a man who reads people for a living yet can’t make sense of Andrew at all. Henry sees that Andrew doesn’t know who he really is, and as they grow closer, he finds himself drawn only to the real Andrew he hopes will finally emerge…and choose him.

This was a strange but compelling story, centred on Andrew finding himself at Halo House and immediately slipping back into his old habit of saying and doing whatever he thinks people want — not what he wants. His life up to this point felt like a bewildering form of high‑class emotional performance, and I was genuinely bemused by how little of himself he seemed to know. What made the story shine was Henry Mercer. He sees straight through Andrew’s practiced charm and gentle lies, pushing him, kindly but firmly, to start thinking for himself for the first time in years. Their connection felt special because Henry wasn’t interested in any version Andrew performed; he wanted the real man underneath. I loved that Andrew eventually found a way forward, discovering who he truly was and stepping into a full, fulfilling life with his beloved Daddy. A thoughtful, emotional read about identity, honesty, and finally choosing yourself. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Quit Playing Games with My Heart by Merry Farmer 3 of 5 stars

Quit Playing Games with My Heart by Merry Farmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Brian falls hard for Sam — his best friend’s older brother and his boss — just as Common Grounds is struggling to survive construction and lost customers. His idea for a games night might save the café…and gives him a chance to get closer to Sam. Sam has lived by strict rules for years, but Brian’s pitch — and his feelings — make those rules harder to follow. Their attraction grows as they fight to save the café, unsure whether it’s the start of love or the end of Common Grounds.

This was a sweet, emotional story set against the backdrop of Common Grounds struggling through the construction next door. I loved how Brian came up with the idea of games nights, and how working with Sam to make them happen finally gave the two of them space to stop pining and start truly seeing each other. But beneath the sweetness, there was tension too — something wasn’t quite right, and Sam needed to prove he trusted Brian, that nothing about Brian’s past or fears would change what was growing between them. That moment of trust added a lovely emotional depth to the story. A gentle, heartfelt read with just enough emotion to leave you warm. This was an MM story.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Dearest Malachi Keogh by N.R. Walker 4 of 5 stars

Dearest Malachi Keogh by N.R. Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julian never believed in love at first sight — until Malachi Keogh. Four years later, Malachi has brought joy back into his life, and Julian is determined to give him an unforgettable Christmas. But with the mail centre at its busiest, he’ll need help from the whole team to make it happen.

I loved this short story — it felt like a warm, joyful epilogue to the original book. Malachi Keogh was still his adorable, chaotic self, and Julian Pollard was brighter and more colourful than ever. Revisiting the Dead Letter Office was a delight, and I loved how the whole team came together to help Julian pull off a perfect surprise for Malachi. A sweet, festive story that leaves you smiling. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carter, a caring police officer with a painful past, responds to a domestic call and finds young Alex in need of help. Child Services sends Donald “Ice” Ickle — the last man Carter wants to see after their brief, icy fling. Ice keeps everyone at arm’s length, but with no foster options available, he reluctantly takes Alex, and Carter steps in to help. Both men carry secrets, yet it’s Alex’s unspoken truths that could either bring them together or tear everything apart.

This story was incredibly emotional, especially around Alex and everything he’d endured at such a young age that was the kind of trauma that makes you cry again and again as the truth comes out. His journey was the heart of the book, and it was impossible not to feel deeply for him. Where I struggled was with the relationship between Carter and Donald “Ice” Ickle. Carter’s attitude, particularly the insensitive questions he asked about Donald’s college job, felt jarring and out of character for someone meant to be caring. I also found it difficult to accept Carter’s tolerance of misogyny within his own family, which made their emotional connection harder to fully believe. But the ending was genuinely satisfying because it meant the bad men were jailed, Alex was finally safe with a permanent home secured for him. Despite my reservations about the romance, the emotional payoff for Alex made the story worth reading. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note the trigger warnings and be kind to yourself.

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Royal in Room 3 by Gianni Holmes 3 of 5 stars

The Royal in Room 3 by Gianni Holmes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jude works at Halo House, offering stability to boys who need it, but everything changes when Soren arrives — soft, sheltered, and secretly a deposed crown prince. Despite being an ex‑convict, Jude forms an intense bond with him, creating a scandal neither could survive. A prince and a felon shouldn’t fit, but Jude can’t walk away once he’s in too deep.

I liked this book and the way it introduced the Halo House concept run by Phoenix, with Jude stepping in to help the boys who end up there. Soren felt incredibly naive and clueless about almost everything, which sometimes made me wonder whether what grew between him and Jude was truly love or more a mix of dependence and gratitude. I really felt for Jude — he had no idea who Soren really was and handled Soren’s inexperience with a lot of patience and tolerance. There were emotions and feelings throughout, but I often questioned how genuine or grounded they were, given the imbalance between them. Still, it was an interesting start to the Halo House world, and I’m curious to see how the series develops from here. This was an MM story with mature content with a BDSM-like Daddy/boy dynamic.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Dearest Milton James by N.R. Walker 5 of 5 stars

Dearest Milton James by N.R. Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Malachi gets shoved into Sydney’s Dead Letter Office, expecting boredom, but instead finds a team of lovable misfits — including his calm, beige‑wearing boss Julian Pollard. Malachi’s chaotic energy clashes with Julian’s order, yet the chemistry between them sparks fast. To keep his job (and his father off his back), Malachi must unravel the mystery of the old letters in Julian’s office — and figure out the man himself. It’s an opposites‑attract tale about finding where you’re meant to be… or being returned to sender.

I loved this story which was a charming opposites‑attract romance where Malachi’s colourful chaos fits surprisingly well with Julian Pollard and the wonderfully mismatched crew of the Dead Letter Office. The team of misfits was delightful, and Malachi slotted into their odd little world perfectly. The humour was a highlight, with plenty of moments that made me laugh out loud. I especially enjoyed the mystery of the old “Dear Milton James” letters that was a touching puzzle that brought the whole team together as they pieced together a forbidden romance from decades past. It added depth, emotion, and a lovely thread of nostalgia to the story. Overall, it was warm, funny, and full of feelings that was a joy to read from start to finish. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Craving Sin by Riley Hart 4 of 5 stars

Craving Sin by Riley Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rian, ruthless head of the O’Shea family, becomes dangerously obsessed with Doctor Preston Abbott and kidnaps him after an attempt on his life. Hidden away in a remote cabin, Preston treats his injuries even while knowing he may not survive. As days pass, Preston’s care and vulnerability spark a craving in Rian he never expected, blurring the line between captive and desired. In Rian’s violent world, Preston is his — to want, to touch… and possibly to kill.

This was a dramatic, emotionally charged story, following Rian through both his physical recovery and a powerful bi‑awakening that shakes the foundations of his violent, controlled world. The tension never lets up — Rian insists from the start that he’ll kill Abbott once he’s healed, and Abbott accepts that fate with heartbreaking calm, adding a constant thread of jeopardy to every moment between them. Their connection is intense, messy, and full of feeling, making the darker elements of the story hit even harder. The ending delivers a dramatic punch, and with the way things close, there’s clearly more to uncover as the series continues. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note the trigger warnings and be kind to yourself.

Buy from Amazon