Review: Wanderer by Jax Stuart 4 of 5 stars

Wanderer by Jax Stuart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riley escapes to Greyhaven, a sanctuary for supernaturals, hoping to break a curse and escape his abusive warlock stepfather. There, he finds a mate in Gareth, one of the town's protectors. As their bond grows, they must fight to break the curse and save Greyhaven from a looming threat.

This was such an enjoyable paranormal romance set in the hidden supernatural town of Greyhaven, a sanctuary protected by its residents. Riley had suffered so much at the hands of his stepfather, and the curse forcing him to keep moving felt like one cruel blow after another. My heart ached for him throughout the story. Gareth was a wonderful hero, both strong and gentle, and it was heartbreaking to see how the curse affected their potential relationship as mates. I especially loved that they took the time to truly get to know each other and build a solid connection before committing to something that could not be undone. The story was packed with emotion, and every feeling felt genuine and easy to connect with. Alongside the romance, there was plenty of danger and drama as threats to both Greyhaven and Riley had to be confronted. A fantastic start to the series, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note this book was previously released as Cursed at Christmas; Wanderer is the first book in the Greyhaven series. It has been completely reworked with more than 15k in additional content. Some names and plot details have been changed.

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Review: Phoenix and his Dragon by Victoria Sue 4 of 5 stars

Phoenix and his Dragon by Victoria Sue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Desperate and homeless, Phoenix targets a hockey player for blackmail, only to discover his mark is Cole Armstrong - a bound dragon shifter whose cruel father holds him under tight control. As an undeniable bond sparks between them, Phoenix transforms from a mere risk into Cole's ultimate weapon to break free.

This was such a dramatic and gripping story, largely driven by Cole’s truly evil father and his relentless attempts to control every aspect of his son's life. Phoenix starts out desperate, and I found it a bit frustrating when his misguided loyalty led him to hold onto secrets even when he had plenty of opportunities to finally tell the truth. Despite that, the emotional core of the book really shines. I especially loved the creative way the paranormal shifter elements were blended directly into the psychological and magical control Cole's father held over him. It was packed with rich emotions and feelings throughout that are wonderfully clear and easy to understand, it was a fantastic, high-stakes read. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Lincoln by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Lincoln by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Desperate to escape her abusive past, Floria Michelson flees for her life with a single goal: disappear and never trust a man again. When Lincoln Chester brings her to the Haven—a sanctuary for rescued animals and broken people—she unexpectedly finds safety, purpose, and a steadfast man who refuses to give up on her. As Floria fights for her future alongside a supportive rescue crew, a dedicated lawyer, and Lincoln, her past catches up to her in a violent showdown at the sanctuary. It's a gripping tale of found family, hard-won trust, and healing love.

Right from the very start of this story, there is an immediate sense of mystery and a heavy suggestion of danger and drama that builds brilliantly as the narrative unfolds. I loved how the emotional core grew right alongside the suspense, with plenty of touching moments and feelings building around the animals and people at the Haven, as well as between Floria and Lincoln. The escalating danger and drama definitely caught my attention and kept me hooked from beginning to end. Written in a style that is wonderfully easy to read and understand, this is a deeply heartwarming and gripping story of survival and healing. This was an MF story with just a little mature content.

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

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Review: Hero in Waiting by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Hero in Waiting by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Former Marine Wells Barnaby is completely unaware that a dangerous enemy from his past is closing in on him, his sister, and his young niece. When Miller Washington (Wells's former military comrade and the man who once got away, learns of the threat) he rushes to their side. As the two men are forced into close quarters to protect Wells's family, their long-suppressed attraction blazes back to life, forcing them to fight off a relentless enemy while navigating a high-stakes second chance at love.

This novella strikes a wonderful balance, blending high-stakes danger with so much tenderness and emotion - not just between the two men, but also in the sweet, loving bond Wells shares with his sister and his five-year-old niece. I especially loved seeing two Marine veterans be so careful, attentive, and protective of their family. The threat driving the plot stems directly from their past actions while serving their country, which leads to a suitably dramatic and gripping conclusion. Written with a clear and accessible style, the emotions and feelings are wonderfully easy to connect with throughout. A fantastic, heartwarming read. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: My One Obsession by Casey Cox 5 of 5 stars

My One Obsession by Casey Cox

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A chance encounter and a simple favour were supposed to end the moment Vadim walked away, but being spotted puts the fiercely independent, refreshingly clueless Preston Miller in mortal danger. Forced to keep the adorable, chaotic outsider safe even as Preston fights him every step of the way, Vadim finds his carefully guarded walls crumbling. Used to a solitary, emotionless life in the underworld, the possessive mafia protector quickly realises he isn't just falling, he is entirely obsessed with the man who has become his only soft spot.

I absolutely loved this story! Preston is such a fantastic character - he is fiercely determined and independent, sometimes even to the detriment of his own health. That fierce independence sets up a brilliant push-and-pull dynamic between them, as Vadim goes completely over the top with his possessive protectiveness while Preston digs his heels in to prove he can take care of himself. It is genuinely fun to watch! I also have to give a special mention to Preston’s friend and housemate, Ellie, who was absolutely hilarious with his own fierce protectiveness over Preston. Their emotional journey is wonderful, full of great angst, deep thoughts, and shifting feelings as they transition from being totally irritated by each other to falling deeply in love. Best of all, I loved seeing Vadim step up and figure out how to support Preston without crushing his spirit when his health problems threatened his independence. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Emergency: Kiss of Life by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Emergency: Kiss of Life by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Professional hockey star Marcus Markelton suffers a head injury on the ice, leading to an encounter with EMT and fan Logan Castro. As Logan is drawn into the lives of Mark and his young nephew, Timmy, their budding romance is threatened by the demands of Mark's booming NHL career, forcing them to risk their hearts for a future together.

This was such a sweet novella right up until the very end, where the conclusion left me a bit confused. Marcus decides to move out of his parents' house with his nephew Timmy, but there was no mention of who would care for Timmy now that they no longer had free, available childcare from his grandparents. On top of that, Logan’s decision to relocate with Marcus felt quite sudden, especially since their demanding work schedules meant they hadn't been able to see each other very much beforehand. Despite those narrative leaps, it is still an undeniably charming read, and young Timmy definitely steals the show every time he's on the page. As always, it delivers plenty of rich, easily readable emotions and feelings throughout that make it a heartwarming experience. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Midnight Bites & Moonlight Kisses by Denver Shaw 4 of 5 stars

Midnight Bites & Moonlight Kisses by Denver Shaw

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seeking a fresh start in a small town, Neven unexpectedly finds safety and an unexpected Daddy in Émile, a centuries-old vampire recluse. But their budding relationship is threatened when Émile's ancient, vengeful maker returns to destroy everything he holds dear, forcing the vampire to unleash centuries of wrath to protect his new family.

This was such a captivating paranormal romance. At its heart, the story explored how both men are dealing with grief and loss with Neven working through a recent heartbreak, and Émile carrying the heavy, centuries-old trauma of his past. I especially loved the pacing of their romance, watching it blossom naturally from a deep, supportive friendship before evolving into something more physical. Another great touch was the inclusion of foreign dialogue, with translations provided neatly in italics to separate them from the rest of the text. While it’s filled with rich, easily felt emotions throughout, it also delivered plenty of high-stakes danger and drama during the intense final confrontation between Émile and his evil maker, Lucien. A wonderful, deeply satisfying read. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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