Review: Sunshine by Athena Steller 3 of 5 stars

Sunshine by Athena Steller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hudson feels settled and happy back in his hometown, but everything changes the day he rescues a cat from a tree — an encounter that leads him straight to Bastian. Bastian, a grumpy paranormal operative returning to help his old team, is instantly drawn to the bright, sunny human who wakes him from a nap. As hidden dangers close in on the family Bastian protects, he must figure out how to bring his human mate into a world Hudson never knew existed.

I enjoyed this amusing and light‑hearted story, especially the running joke of Hudson repeatedly finding the same cat and getting increasingly irritated with its so‑called irresponsible owner — only to discover the truth about Bas and the paranormal world hiding in plain sight. His introduction to that world was fun to follow, and the reveal tied the earlier humour together nicely. I did feel that the explanation Hudson received — and how quickly he agreed to become Bastian’s mate — happened far too fast, which took a little away from the emotional impact. Still, the overall story was easy to read and understand, with plenty of charm and warmth as Hudson and Bas figured out how to fit into each other’s lives. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Changeling by Lee Colgin 4 of 5 stars

Changeling by Lee Colgin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dominus, a bored incubus who runs the Twig & Berries brothel, finds his life shaken up when Sebastian — a newly displaced changeling fae — arrives seeking safety after learning the truth about his heritage. When danger forces Sebastian to take shelter with Dominus, the spark between them quickly turns into heated tension. Dominus hasn’t been interested in anyone for ages, and Sebastian is the first to catch his attention… but he’s fae, and Dominus has every reason to hate faeries. As trespassers close in, the two must decide whether they’ll remain enemies or let desire break the curse that stands between them.

I loved this story about two men from completely different paranormal races learning not only how to understand each other, but also how to understand themselves. Their connection grew in such an engaging way, shaped by their differences as much as their similarities. One of my favourite parts was how the story let us learn about their races right alongside Sebastian. As he discovered the world he truly belonged to — one he’d never been taught about — the reader was educated at the same pace, making every revelation feel natural and meaningful. The emotions, the tension, the curiosity, and the slow building trust all came through clearly, making it an easy story to read, feel, and understand. A wonderfully immersive paranormal romance. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: His Royal Fae Mate by Jax Stuart 4 of 5 stars

His Royal Fae Mate by Jax Stuart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Safilix, a newly recognised fae prince, is ordered to mate with a royal elf for the good of his people — but the only elf he wants is Ingal, a sweet, caring omega who isn’t of noble blood. Ingal longs for Safi too, but believes a prince is far beyond his reach. Torn between duty and the elf who calls to his soul, Safilix must choose between the expectations of his crown and the mate his heart has already claimed.

This was a deeply emotional story built around the undeniable connection between Safilix and Ingal — a bond so strong that all they could do was hope the Luna had a solution for them. Both men had suffered in their own ways, which made it all the more satisfying and well deserved when they were finally able to be together and even start a family. The passion, emotions, and heartfelt moments ran throughout the book, giving their journey real weight. I also loved getting a glimpse of the Sweetwater pack further into the future, adding richness to the world and showing how far everyone has come. A tender, feeling‑filled read that was easy to follow and full of heart. This was an MM story with mature content and set in the omegaverse with MPREG.

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Review: Almost Home by Alex Blaine 3 of 5 stars

Almost Home: Contemporary M-Lac Gay Romance by Alex Blaine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Joshua, worn down after a year of trying to build a life that never comes together, decides it’s time to “go home” the way his grandpa once described — by ending everything. After a final meal and a last ride along the coast, he heads for the cliffs. Matthew, who sensed something was wrong back at the diner, spots Joshua’s abandoned bike and steps in, unable to ignore someone in need.

The story opens with such a dramatic, unforgettable moment that it completely set the tone — and honestly, nothing that followed ever quite eclipsed the intensity of that first meeting between Matthew and Joshua. Their introduction was raw, emotional, and gripping in a way that stayed with me throughout the book. I really appreciated how Matthew stepped in afterward, insisting Joshua get counselling and doing everything he could to help him rebuild — offering stability, a job, a home, and even safe transport. His steady care was one of the strongest parts of the story. That said, I did feel the book missed an opportunity by not letting them talk openly about what kind of relationship they actually wanted. With everything they’d been through, that lack of communication was noticeable. Still, the story was easy to read, easy to feel, and easy to understand — a heartfelt journey that began with a dramatic rescue and grew into something tender. This was an MM story with mature content and a Daddy/boy like dynamic with male lactation.

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Review: The Revenge Mishap by Jax Calder 4 of 5 stars

The Revenge Mishap by Jax Calder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Leo tries to get petty revenge on his nemesis but accidentally targets his brother Archie instead, drenching him in syrup and breaking his ankle. Forced to make amends, Leo ends up helping Archie with his daily jobs — including dog walking and performing as a sparkly unicorn for kids — and the two grow unexpectedly close. Archie knows exactly why the “accident” happened, but as their banter turns tender, secrets and guilt give way to a sweet, messy grumpy‑meets‑sunshine romance.

This was such an amusing, chaotic, and charming story, and I loved the wild connection between Leo and Archie from the very start. The situations Archie managed to rope Leo into were hilarious — every scene felt like a full workout for the imagination, from the unicorn antics to the dog‑walking disasters. Their lack of communication did get frustrating at times, especially given how capable and self‑aware both men were, but thankfully they managed to sort themselves out before it went too far. Underneath all the comedy, there were real feelings and emotional beats that grounded the story beautifully. Overall, it was easy to read, easy to feel, and easy to enjoy — a messy, sweet romance wrapped in pure fun. This was an MM story with mature content.

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Review: Mate Match: Curtis & Jae by Jax Stuart 3 of 5 stars

Mate Match: Curtis & Jae by Jax Stuart

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jae joins Mate Match hoping to find an alpha for both his upcoming heat and a real partnership, and his instant connection with Curtis surprises them both. Their bond deepens quickly, but an unexpected pregnancy puts their new relationship to the test.

This was a sweet instalove story built around the instant connection between Jae and Curtis after being matched through the app. Their relationship develops quickly — first because of Jae’s heat and then even more rapidly with the unexpected pregnancy — but the emotional moments woven throughout kept it engaging. I liked how their bond was rooted in genuine affection and growing trust, even as everything moved fast around them. The story was easy to read and understand, and their journey from match to something deeper was satisfying. This was an MM story with mature content and set in the omegaverse with MPREG.

** Please note that this story was previously released in the Knotting Hearts Charity Anthology. The story has since been expanded with more than 20k of additional content. **

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Review: Mongrel by Lee Colgin 4 of 5 stars

Mongrel by Lee Colgin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Andras, a werewolf living on the pack’s fringes, agrees to help Bowie, a gentle vampire searching for missing girls. Bowie’s respect and kindness spark trust, and together they travel across Hungary, facing wilderness, danger, and a deadly killer. As their bond grows, they must overcome past trauma and work together to save the captives.

I loved this story and the way Andras and Bowie were drawn together as they worked side by side to find the missing girls. Their relationship began with simple kindness, respect, and trust — the very things Andras had been denied by his own pack — and that gentle foundation made their growing affection feel all the more meaningful. The journey across Hungary was beautifully described, and I really enjoyed the details of the landscapes, the villages, and the places they had to take refuge during daylight hours. Those moments of quiet shelter added depth to both the world and their bond. Their feelings and emotions came through clearly, and I felt every step of their connection as it deepened from warmth into something far more profound. The ending made me genuinely happy — a true happily ever after for two men who deserved it. This was an MM story with mature content.

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