Review: Ash and his Dragon by Victoria Sue 5 of 5 stars

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

Guarded Colorado Dragons forward Ash Thorne keeps everyone at a strict distance, especially his charismatic teammate Max Renaud. Max is a lifebound dragon whose emotional power previously destroyed someone he loved, leaving him terrified of hurting anyone else. Despite Max's past trauma and Ash's ironclad walls, an irresistible pull draws them together, forcing them to choose between a separation that will destroy Max and a closeness that risks destroying them both.

I absolutely loved this story! The narrative brilliantly balances two deeply personal problems, one for Ash and one for Max, that become increasingly problematic as the story unfolds, especially as the emotional weight begins to impact their performance on the ice. It is packed with brilliant danger and drama surrounding both men, balanced with deeply moving moments of raw emotion and feelings that are genuinely intense at times. I also loved seeing the fantastic support system built around them, with the other players and their partners stepping up to stand by their side when they needed it most. Written in a way that makes everything effortless to read, feel, and understand, this was another magnificent, heart-wrenching read. This was an MM story with mature content.

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

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

Rising hockey star Dante Russo finds his world shattered when he is unexpectedly traded and smeared by false rumours, betrayed by the teammate and secret lover who wanted him out of the picture. Seeking redemption with the Colorado Dragons, Dante clashes with his off-limits head coach, Theron Kincaid. Theron is an ancient dragon shifter plagued by past guilt after a human died as a result of knowing dragon secrets. When Theron's inner dragon instantly recognizes Dante as his true mate, the terrified coach actively pushes him away, desperate to prevent history from repeating itself and risking the life of the man he is forbidden to love.

This was such an intense, dramatic story packed with high-stakes danger both on and off the ice. Dante is clearly such a gifted player, and it was lovely seeing how Theron’s one-to-one coaching helped him truly shine to his full potential. Even when toxic lies and nasty rumours from his previous team followed him, Dante let his incredible skills on the ice speak for themselves, planting the first real seeds of doubt in everyone's minds. Alongside the sports drama, Theron’s internal battle with his past demons was deeply moving, especially as a sinister new evil emerges that threatens them both. Filled with rich emotions and feelings throughout that are wonderfully easy to feel and understand, this was a thrilling, deeply romantic addition to the series.

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Review: Fireman's Carry by Andrew Grey 4 of 5 stars

Fireman's Carry by Andrew Grey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Firefighter Jordan rescues a traumatised boy named Benny and reconnects with Duane, the childhood friend he never forgot. As they help Benny rebuild his life, old feelings reignite, giving them a second chance at love while facing an uncertain future.

This was such an emotional story from beginning to end. Jordan is juggling so much as he tries to help Benny through an unimaginable situation while also reconnecting with Duane and exploring the feelings they never truly left behind. Benny completely stole my heart. His love for his late parents, the loss he carries, and the rejection he faces from surviving family members made for some truly heartbreaking moments. At the same time, the care, support, and love that grew around him were incredibly heartwarming to watch. A touching, feel-good story filled with emotion, healing, second chances, and a well-deserved happy ending. Definitely a book that will make you smile. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Boot & Rally by Aria Grace 3 of 5 stars

Boot & Rally by Aria Grace
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When unexpected staff shortages force bar owner Cord behind the counter for a private corporate event, he encounters Noah, a reluctant junior salesperson enduring relentless pressure to drink at his company banquet. Recognizing the signs of overserving and harassment, Cord steps in to rescue the exhausted young man, a single act of intervention that unexpectedly changes both of their lives forever.

This was such a sweet and tender short story! I loved watching the two men turn their rather unorthodox, high-stress meeting at the bar into a genuine, heartwarming relationship. It was especially endearing to see Cord slip effortlessly into his protective, caring "Daddy" mode to look after Noah, who so clearly needed warmth, care, and affection. The narrative is packed with rich emotions and feelings throughout as they navigate the fallout from the bar incident and gently build their connection together. A lovely, comforting read. This was an MM story with mature content and a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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

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

After corrupt physicians blame paediatric nurse Cinder Adair for a tragic death in the ER to cover up their own mistakes, Cinder finds himself blacklisted and forced to take a job as a medical assistant for the Colorado Dragons hockey team just to hide. There, he crosses paths with Taranis Rees, a veteran goaltender whose career is winding down and who hides a powerful dragon he keeps tightly controlled. As Cinder's hidden past and a dangerous hospital cover-up catch up to him, Taranis steps in as a fiercely protective mate, forcing both broken souls to stop running from their pasts and fight for a future together.

This was such a deeply moving and highly emotional story as both men bravely coped with heavy, lingering trauma from their pasts. Because of that, it was so lovely to see how naturally they cared for and calmed each other whenever the weight became too much. I especially loved the fascinating insights into what ice dragons can do when they feel threatened or intensely emotional - I truly cannot imagine surviving the bone-chillingly cold air radiating around Taranis! On top of the magical elements, the ice hockey match descriptions were wonderfully clear, brilliantly highlighting the raw danger and fast-paced drama players face on the ice, particularly goalkeepers. The story also weaves in sinister, shadowy elements that do their absolute best to manipulate both men, keeping the mystery genuinely tense and threatening throughout. Written in a style that makes everything effortless to read, feel, and understand, this was a deeply romantic read. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Immortal Bonds by A.W. Scott 4 of 5 stars

Immortal Bonds by A.W. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A centuries-old dragon called Thalric, hiding behind a confident public persona, finds comfort only in an anonymous online relationship. Meanwhile, a reclusive vampire who keeps the world at a distance relies on his online connection as a rare source of trust and companionship. When Fate brings them together in person, both must let down their carefully built walls and discover whether their unlikely bond was always meant to be.

This was such a sweet and heartwarming story. I loved watching Creighton and Thalric finally meet the person they'd been falling in love with online and work through their fears until they accepted that their connection was real. Their journey felt genuine, and it was wonderful to see them learn to trust each other enough to lower their masks and reveal their true selves. Creighton was absolutely adorable, and I loved seeing him treated like the precious person he always deserved to be. Thalric was equally lovable, especially in the scenes where he entertained the Littles in his family with little displays of dragon magic that brought so much joy and laughter. Full of emotions, tenderness, and personal growth, this story balanced sweet romantic moments with deeper feelings of vulnerability and trust. It left me smiling and eager to spend more time in this world. This was an MM story with mature content and with a BDSM-like DDLB dynamic.

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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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