Review: They Call Me Raven by Hattie Reiss 3 of 5 stars

They Call Me Raven by Hattie Reiss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A teenage girl called Raven is living with her uncle in the Colorado Rockies starts a small business venture, and she and her best friend quickly find themselves stumbling into one predicament after another. The story blends modern life with threads of Western and Native American history, all while hinting that an even bigger challenge is still ahead.

The strongest part of this story is the vivid, carefully crafted descriptions — the landscapes, the atmosphere, and the people all feel thoughtfully drawn, and the setting in particular really stands out. I did wish the characters had more emotional depth, with clearer feelings and internal growth to match the richness of the world around them. The ending also felt a bit rushed and sudden, leaving me wanting to know what happens next. That said, the recommended reading age feels spot‑on for the tone and style of the book.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Charmed Away Holiday Special by Amy Padilla 3 of 5 stars

Mistletoe and Mayhem: A Charmed Away Holiday Special by Amy Padilla
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Charmed Away crew is home for the holidays! This series of vignettes gives you a glimpse into how our favourite couples celebrate the holidays, and the chaos that ensues along the way!

I loved this collection of short stories that enabled me to have a glimpse into the lives of the couples from the series over the Christmas period. Some were better than others but they were all enjoyable. Some were more emotional than others but they all contained the intensity of their mate bond. Easy to read and understand. They were MM stories with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: On the Run by May Archer 1 of 5 stars

On the Run by May Archer

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Toby heads to Whispering Key to hide from a scandal and keep his identity as advice columnist Aunt Hagatha secret. His plan unravels when he meets Beale Goodman — a huge, gentle, utterly wholesome man who rescues feral cats and ends up rescuing Toby too. Beale agrees to pose as his fake soulmate, but the act quickly feels real, especially with the island community embracing them as a couple. As Tony starts to realise he’s finally found something worth staying for, his old secrets threaten to catch up with him.

This one just didn’t work for me. The story felt far too chaotic, and the humour — which should have been a highlight — quickly tipped into irritating rather than charming. I kept hoping it would settle into the same enjoyable rhythm as the first book in the series, but it never quite found that balance. Instead of feeling fun and warm, the constant noise and over‑the‑top antics drowned out the romance and left me more frustrated than entertained. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Slayer by Charlotte Brice 4 of 5 stars

Slayer by Charlotte Brice

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Porter finds himself trapped by his sister’s cartel debts and forced into the dangerous orbit of Knox Thayer — a ruthless, obsessive man who offers protection at a steep price. What begins as survival pulls Porter into Knox’s violent world, blurring the line between captivity and something far more complicated. When threats from Porter’s past resurface and endanger his sister, he must choose between betraying Knox or surrendering completely.

I loved this dark, intense romance is driven by two powerful threads: the crushing debt Porter’s sister leaves him to face alone, and the ruthless way she dismisses him when he tries to help. That betrayal pushes him straight into Knox’s world — a world of danger, obsession, and a connection he never expected. What unfolded between Porter and Knox was raw and consuming. Their relationship started in fear and control, but the emotional pull between them grew until love felt not just possible, but inevitable. The contrast between Porter’s abandonment by his own family and Knox’s fierce, possessive devotion gives the story its emotional punch. A gripping, high‑heat romance where loyalty, danger, and unexpected love collide. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Movers by Casey Cox 4 of 5 stars

Movers by Casey Cox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clayton heads to tropical North Queensland to mend his broken heart, only to have his quiet escape upended when a terrified man literally drops a baby into his arms and begs him for help. The father, Vaughn, is guarded, gorgeous, and clearly running from something dangerous. As Clayton shelters him, their chemistry grows through shared meals on the yacht and long days in the sun, even as Vaughn keeps his past tightly locked away. When the men chasing Vaughn catch up to him, a shocking truth comes out — forcing both men to confront what they’ve built together. This book blends forced proximity, a wounded billionaire, and a single dad with a dangerous secret.

I loved this tender, heartfelt romance built on the strength of connection. What really stood out to me was how close Clayton and Vaughn became as circumstances forced them together — their bond grows naturally, quietly, and with a surprising amount of warmth for such a high‑stakes setup. And Clayton’s love for Vaughn’s daughter is the emotional core of the story. His instinctive protectiveness and the way he folds her into his life make their little trio feel genuinely special. A soft, intimate read about healing, trust, and choosing the people who choose you. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Sugared by Merry Farmer 3 of 5 stars

Sugared by Merry Farmer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Leland, eager to prove himself in the Hawthorne House kitchen, takes in Ean — his former best friend’s younger brother — after finding him homeless and kicked out for being gay. With nothing but a lottery ticket and a lot of hope, Ean throws himself into helping Leland pull off an extravagant Valentine’s Day feast, and the two slowly build something warm and promising in this low‑angst, sweet rescue romance filled with cake and new beginnings.

I enjoyed this sweet novella that proved that sometimes all it takes is one chance meeting to change everything. Leland and Ean’s story is short, gentle, and full of warmth, showing how a single moment of kindness can open the door to a whole new life. The low‑angst vibe works beautifully here, and watching these two slowly find comfort, stability, and affection in each other’s company made the quick read feel genuinely satisfying. This was an MM story with mature content.

** Please note that this novella originally appeared in the Candy Hearts: Volume 2 - Wrong Number Valentine's Day anthology.

Buy from Amazon

Review: Takers by Casey Cox 4 of 5 stars

Takers by Casey Cox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Robbie is a no‑relationships podcaster who ends up fake dating Bremmer, a tightly wound billionaire CEO, after a tantric workshop and a PR crisis pull them together. What’s supposed to be a short stunt stretches into a year, and the lines between fake and real blur fast — the dates feel genuine, the chemistry is undeniable, and Robbie starts wanting more than he ever planned. But he’s hiding a secret that could destroy everything once Bremmer finds out.

I loved this story that had me laughing from the very beginning — the tantric workshop alone is worth the price of admission. The fake‑dating setup is equally entertaining, especially as Robbie and Bremmer spent a full year pretending to be a couple while very obviously becoming one. The humour woven through their public appearances, their mismatched personalities, and the increasingly blurred lines made the whole thing a delight. What really worked for me was how much they genuinely got to know each other over that year. With all the shared events, private moments, and unexpected intimacy, falling in love felt inevitable. The secret hanging over Robbie added a nice thread of tension, too, giving the story emotional weight beneath the comedy. A fun, warm, and charming fake‑dating romance with plenty of laughs and a satisfying emotional payoff. This was an MM story with mature content.

Buy from Amazon